It is so beautiful, isn’t it? Especially after all of the recap of sin and punishment we have endured to get to this point.
É Look at verses 1-3. What things is God telling Israel/us to do?
Return to the Lord. Bring your confessions. Ask for forgiveness. Be graciously received. Offer praises. Never will we call idols our gods.
It is that easy. And that hard. But remember, we are not alone. We have the power of the Holy Spirit and can go directly to God through Jesus…
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split. (Matthew 27:50-51a)
The temple in Jerusalem was where sacrifices were made in accordance with the Law of Moses. The Holy of Holies was the earthly dwelling place of God’s presence. A veil separated the Holy of Holies, or God’s earthly dwelling place, from the rest of the temple. In essence God was separated from man. Only the high priests were permitted to pass beyond the veil, and only once a year, to enter God’s presence on behalf of all of Israel to make atonement for their sins. When Jesus took our sins and died with them on the cross, at the moment of his death, the curtain of the temple was torn. We no longer had a veil separating us from God. We now had Jesus, by whom we could go directly to God. We have the power of the resurrection with us if we accept it. We are not alone on this journey. Praise God, because as we can see from history, the journey is a rough one and we don’t fare well on our own.
É Look at verses 4-8. What will God do?
This is what God has been after all along. Redemption. Healing. Splendor. Shade. Rest from the fight….the exhausting fight. A message for us, as was to Gomer in Hosea 2:18-20:
In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety. I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.
É Carefully read verse 9. What are your thoughts as we close Hosea?
It is a call to those who are wise and discerning. To realize and understand such things.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. (James 3:13)
And what does the wisdom from above look like?
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace. (James 3:17-18)
The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9b)
God help us to walk in the right ways of the Lord. Help us not be forgetful. Keep us from stumbling.
We’ll spend the rest of this week remembering what we have learned in our journey through Hosea. I love this part of the Sugarland song, Shine the Light1. I picture Jesus in Heaven clapping for us as we enter His kingdom for eternity after our tough races here on earth.
Click here to go to the final section of the study.
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