Articles
God's Constant Plea
Israel was a train wreak during the years of Hosea. It is said that chapter 14 was written approximately five to seven years before the destruction of Israel by Assyria in 722 B.C. Israel is accused by God of violating the covenant (6:7; 8:1), following after other lovers (2:5), and failing to work with God (9:10; 10:9; 13:2). All of this sets the stage for the powerful message found in Hosea 14.
After everything they had done against God (backsliding, idolatry, instability), God is still giving them an opportunity to change and return to Him, (14:1). All He asks them to do is to repent and ask for forgiveness, (14:2-3). He tells Israel that if they were to do this, He would “heal them… love them… nourish them…protect them” (14:4-7). They would be ashamed of their previous lifestyles because of all the blessings they forsook in the past, (14:8-9). God pleaded with them to return to Him, but also warned of the consequences if they did not. Sadly, Israel never sought God’s mercies and within the next decade was destroyed and hauled away into exile by the hands of the Assyrians.
God’s pleading still persists to us today. Sin is still alive and well. Satan is still trying to bring us down every day. Who are you listening to? Have you obeyed God’s constant plea, or have you continued obeying sin? Forgiveness is being offered, but so is destruction. The beautiful thing about Hosea’s words is the mercy and lovingkindness our Lord shows to each and every one of us. The amount of sin He is willing to wash away from us should be what spurs us towards Him. Only when we learn the enormity of what God was willing to forgive can we appreciate the gravity of His forgiveness!
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:7-8).
