Hosea
6 – There is Hope
When
we come back to God, He brings the dawning of a new day with the refreshing
showers. The God who chastens us also heals and revives us.
Israel’s
loyalty did not last but vanished like a cloud and evaporated like the dew.
They brought sacrifices and engaged in religious services, but those activities
made no difference in the way they lived. Their sacrifices were substitutes for
obedience. (I Sam. 15:21-23.
Hosea
included the confession that the future repentant generation would speak,
asking God to heal, bind up , revive, and raise up. This new generation would
be certain of God’s mercy to the repentant and the return of His favor to those
who sincerely acknowledged Him.
The
people of Hosea’s day transgressed the covenant they made with God at Mount
Sinai (Ex. 19-20). According to this covenant, God would punish them for their
disobedience (Deut. 28). Which was a personal affront to Him (they dealt
treacherously with Me).
In
the middle of his prophecies of impending judgment, Hosea called out to the
Israelites to repent: “return to the Lord.” With this warning, Hosea, was in
effect, saying there was still hope. Despite God’s punishment, God would
restore those who turned back to Him. He would heal, bind up, and revive, if
only they would “pursue the knowledge of the Lord.” Sometimes we may feel we
have gone too far – that we have sinned too many times or too seriously to ever
be forgiven. Hosea’s call to the wicked Israelites demonstrates that if we
return to God. He will forgive us.
Please
read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.
If
you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.
Dr.
David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible
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