These four chapters are a beautiful illustration of God's Grace. For brevity, I will refer to the chapter/section headings, though the themes of each section bear this out.
Chapter 11 discusses God's love for Israel as the chosen people even before they were a nation. He called them out of Egypt, provided for them during a desert crossing, and gave them a land on which to grow their society. They rebelled and worshiped other gods even as His Blessings were upon them, and He still loved them.
Chapter 12 reviews Israel's long history of rebellion. A history wrought with examples where they followed other gods, or trusted in themselves rather than in their Protector. A history that clearly shows they are guilty and God is Justified in His Judgement (as if He needs to make a case to us).
Chapter 13 shows that God will bring judgement. He is Holy and will not suffer rebellion forever. And when His Wrath is poured out we get sobering imagery like in verse 8:
I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs, and will tear open the covering of their heart; there I will devour them like a lion, as a wild animal would mangle them. - Hosea 13:8
Still, even in times of Judgement chapter 14 makes it clear that repentance is available and forgiveness assured. And beyond that, full restoration of all the blessings promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the nation of Israel.
We serve a Holy and Merciful God. Even when Judgement comes for our sins, we can repent and be completely restored unto Him.
2 comments:
Hosea 13:6
When I fed[o] them, they were satisfied;
they were satisfied, and their heart was proud;
therefore they forgot me.
I pray that I (we) don't become like this, where when we are satisfied and things are going well, that we forget God. I want to worship and keep God first always, through good and bad.
Great thoughts!
From chapter 11....
They call me the Most High,
but they don’t truly honor me.
People who claim to be Christ followers, but whose lives bear no fruit to prove this claim genuine. May it not be so of us!
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