Read: Hosea 10-11
There are
two metaphors that are given in chapter ten of Hosea, Israel as a vine (vs.
1-8) and as a trained calf (vs. 9-15). The
first analogy repeats the idea that Israel had a good start and then got off
track. The vine yielded fruit, which
increased. This prosperity and abundance was risky as the people couldn`t
handle it and lost their way. Their
hearts were false; they pretended to worship God but were actually worshipping
idols. Their divided loyalties caused
them to ultimately reject the Lord and foretell of the failure of the monarchy
(10:3). As a result, empty oaths were
uttered and judgment sprung up like poisonous weeds (10:4). Hosea used imagery of thorns and thistles
which represented unproductive land (10:8).
The people would have it so bad that they would cry desperately for
relief, even if that means death (10:8).
The Lord
then brings up the matter of Gibeah which refered to the moral and social
corruption in Judges 19-21 including rape and murder (10:9). God would bring judgment through the nations
which gather against them (10:10). Israel
was also like a trained calf that had been given the freedom to thresh the
grain in the field. They abused this
privilege and now would be muzzled with a yoke of captivity (10:11). Hosea pleaded with them to sow righteousness,
to break up their fallow ground and seek the Lord (10:12). The people had trusted in themselves and in
their military might (10:13) and therefore their fortresses would be destroyed
(10:14). Their fate will be no better
than Beth-arbel which was devastated without even sparing the women and
children. The people must turn from
their self-reliance to God, the only one who could sustain and deliver
them. Hosea concluded with a sober
warning which should not be ignored.
Chapter
eleven contains some of the most touching words in all of Hosea. It speaks of God’s early relationship with
Israel and His sorrow at their rejection of Him for Baal, despite all that He
had done for them (11:1-4). These first
few verses show how God loves them and cared for them, leading them with
kindness, not harshness. He has loved
them from the beginning and has never stopped loving them. The people had taken His love and care for
granted which necessitated their coming judgment (11:5-7). Yet God would not give up on His people
(11:8). His love would mean that His judgement
would not destroy them completely. Here
we see that the Lord has emotions, He has compassion and affection and will not
renounce His people even though they have renounced Him. After the period of judgment is over the
people will be returned to their homes and will respond with faithfulness to
Him!
Prayer and Journaling
1. Although God’s justice demands punishment for
wickedness His deep compassion for His people means that He will not destroy
them completely. God is a God of love,
holiness, justice and mercy. Spend some
time meditating on each of these four characteristics of God – 1) His love, 2)
His holiness, 3) His justice, and 4) His mercy.
What does He want to say to you about each of these? How have you experienced each in your walk
with Him?
2. God prefers to restore the repentant and desires
repentance. He will gladly heal those
who repent. He desires redemption but sadly
not many took Hosea’s message seriously.
The same is true today. Take a moment
to look at your own life asking Jesus to show you areas where you need to
repent of your sins. Thank God for His
forgiveness and pray that you would grow in holiness in each of these areas.
