Old Testament - Hosea 1-3 - November 7, 2022

 

11/7/2022 – Hosea 1-3

Chapter 1’s synopsis tells us that Hosea and his family are a sign unto Israel, and it also tells us about the gathering of the last days in which Israel will be very involved. But at this point of time in the Old Testament, the Israelites are not keeping His commandments. It is in Hosea that we certainly see that the Lord loves His people…always!...even when they ignore His commandments and His laws. Yes, those who have been unfaithful to the Lord still feel the consequences of their actions, and yet the Lord continually, and mercifully, offers them (and those of our time too) loving acceptance and celebration when His people return to Him, and to His laws—for those two things will keep us growing, and learning, and preparing for the time we will return to our heavenly home after our ‘graduation’ from our time on this earth.

The Lord always stands with His arms, and His heart, ready to take us back onto the path He had marked out for us as the very best way for us to learn and to grow.

Chapter 2: When we fail to follow the Lord’s instructions for our earthly growth, He tells us that “I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.” (v6) He goes on to instruct us that even if we go out beautifully dressed, with earrings and jewels, but  continue to walk away from Him and His commandments, He will then try to get us alone and “speak comfortably unto [us]”.  And if we listen and start to follow the earthly roadmap he has given us, then “I will give her vineyards from thence, …and she shall sing there as in the days of her youth…” (v 15)

When we fail to follow the guidelines, the Lord has given us, His message to us is not “I will reject you forever for being unfaithful”, but instead He will say “I will invite you back”.

And in Chapter 3, the synopsis explains more about the last days: “Israel shall seek the Lord, return to the Lord, and receive of his goodness in the latter days.”   V 5: The Israelites shall “return, and seek the Lord their God… and shall fear the Lord and his goodness.”  And then later in 14:4, His promise is: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely.”  He always stands looking toward us with His arms extended, and ready to help us if we just come unto Him. 


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