How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord is laid for your faith in his excellent word.

Prosperity blinded Israel.

And as we'll learn, our teacher Dr. J. Vernon McGee believed America's prosperity has also led us to a false sense of security.

Thanks for joining us on Through the Bible for our five-year journey through the entire Word of God.

I'm Steve Schweitz, your host, welcoming you aboard the Bible bus as we pick up Dr. McGee's study in Hosea at chapter 8 verse 1.

Now, as you find your place in God's word, here's an introduction that Dr. McGee recorded

specifically for this section of scripture.

Now, we've come again today to a very solemn section, actually, of Hosea.

And you have noted already that not only the major prophets,

but the minor prophets, all had a word of warning to the nation, Israel, that since they were

so particularly blessed of God and had the knowledge of him that they were held more

responsible than other nations.

And so when we see them here departing from God, going into idolatry, that judgment is bound

to come. And of course, some of us wonder today how long the United States can continue in a godless manner and have the knowledge of God.

Every hotel room has a Gideon Bible in it. Every motel across the country. There's no place in the

world blessed with the word of God like we are. You can't turn on the radio as you ride

today without coming across a Christian station that's broadcasting a gospel message. And yet,

with all of that, America continues on into the night. And the Lord is in the habit of judging,

as well as loving and blessing people.

And when they turn from him, as we have, why judgment is bound to come.

Even if judgment is coming, let's not forget that God has given us a window of opportunity to share his word with the world.

And the really great news is that people are responding.

...