A series on the book of Hosea
(Click on the link below to read the
verses.)
Hosea 11-14
[The story
about Hosea is a story about the relentless love of God. Hosea was a prophet who
spoke out against the idolatry of the Israelites as they pursued the pagan gods
of Baal and Asherah. His life became an allegory about the unfaithfulness of
Israel and the relentless love of God.]
Have you ever wished that you could have a Do Over?
About four years ago I was late for work, so it’s
possible that I was speeding. But, it was a Friday, and there were very
few cars on the highway. Under those conditions, there was no way that I
was going to cause an accident.
However, that didn’t seem to matter to the highway
patrolman that stopped me. Without any hesitation, he wrote me a ticket which
resulted in a $150 fine and… increased my car insurance by $300 annually for three
years. I really wanted a Do Over.
Israel probably wanted a Do Over too. Even though
the Lord faithfully reached out to His people in love, they rebelled against
Him.
“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and I called my son out of Egypt.
2 But the more I called to him,
the farther he moved from me
offering sacrifices to the images of Baal
and burning incense to idols. Hosea
11 NLT
The result of their sin was God’s
swift judgement.
3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears,
like chaff swirling from a threshing floor,
like smoke escaping through a window. Hosea 13 NIV
16 The people of Samaria must bear their guilt,
because they have rebelled against their God.
They will fall by the sword;
their little ones will be dashed to the ground,
their pregnant women ripped open. Hosea
13 NIV
How would it feel to be alive, but nobody notices
that you’re living (verse 3)? How would it feel to have everything that you
hold dear, that you love and that brings meaning to your life… to be violently
taken from you (verse 16)?
Thankfully for Israel, the story didn’t end there. They
got a Do Over.
Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
for your sins have brought you down.
2 Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.
Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously
receive us,
so that we may offer you our praises. Hosea 14 NLT
4 The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of
your faithlessness;
my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone
forever.
Hosea 14 NLT
Thankfully, the story doesn’t end with our judgement
either. The Lord’s faithful love has given you and me a Do Over. Paul explained
it like this in Romans 7.
24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from
this body of death? 25a Thanks be to God, who delivers
me through Jesus Christ our Lord! NIV
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