We see God’s patience and love, even in times of betrayal by His people. This doesn’t mean punishment won’t come, but it shows how much it pains God to do so.
É Look again at verses 8-9. What does this say about God’s character?
É Read John 3:17? For what purpose did God send His son into the world? What comparisons do you see between this and Hosea’s message?
Like the messages in the Old Testament from the prophets, God sends His only Son into the world for us…not to condemn us, but to SAVE us. To give us an avenue to come to Him. To repent of our sins and live for God, not the so called comforts and luxuries of this world that deceive us.
I know it may be beginning to feel like a broken record, but really sit on it for a minute. We need this. We need to look inward, with God’s help and see the areas we need to make changes. It is too easy to look around at this messed up world and feel like we are doing good, but that is not the standard we should be looking at. We need to look through God’s eyes, with God’s help, to see where we need to turn from a crooked path we may be on or “other gods” we may be relying on. Our lives depend on it. Living in true peace and joy depends on it. It is serious stuff not to be taken lightly or glossed over.
Jennie Allen writes:
But God is clear. The state of our invisible hearts takes precedence over all the good behavior, over all the bad. From Adam and Eve to the churches described in Revelation, God addresses the inner parts of man. This is what he takes issue with the most. 10
We have been reading a lot about what punishment and life without God can look like. Let’s remind ourselves what eternal life with God looks like…
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)
No. More. Tears. In addition to peace and joy during our short time on this planet, we will have an eternal peace and joy in God’s dwelling place. Can you seriously imagine what that will be like? No mourning, or crying, or pain. Everything new. All of the heartache, troubles, trials, mistakes we may have made will be wiped away. So much so that even the thought of them, if we will even think of them again, will have no impact because there will be no mourning or pain. Wow! I want to be there when this new Jerusalem is ushered in. God dwelling with us.
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