Hosea 14 : 1-10 (Daily Bread of 19/9/2017)

LET WORDS OF REPENTANCE BE ON YOUR LIPS

Key verse 14 : 3

We often say that one has more hate towards the traitor than the enemy. However, in according to the principal theme of the Book of Hosea, God is not man. His love will never die. Let's learn more about this love in this last chapter, we who are only mortal human beings.

1. Come back to God (1-4)

Sin the fall, man has always tried to accuse God for his pain and suffering. However, the Bible clearly explains to us that it's man's fault and not God's (2). Hosea shows the sort of love that God holds in His heart for His people. God's love is generous.  That means that God would say « I don't need to force myself to love you. » It is extremely difficult and disgusting to love an idolater as Hosea did in chapters 1-3 wherein he took this degenerated woman by obligation an with distaste. Therefore God forced himself to love them. However, now God loves them willingly because they have returned to Him. Hosea commands them to repent for their sins (3). Repentance means acknowledging the sins that we have committed in the past. The Israelites had to therefore acknowledge that their idols were all man made and not divine. Thereafter they had to express their love for God by saying « Forgive us ours sins, we want to give you the praise from the bottom of our hearts rather than worthless sacrifices. »

 2. I shall answer their prayers (5-10)

Now that God’s people are penitent, God promises them His forgiveness, prosperity and holiness. After the promise of healing that God gave them in the previous verse (4) God will answer favorably to all that they seek. Moreover their cursed condition will be transformed into one that is blessed. They will become like the dew in fields, flowers in blossom the cedar tree in Liban with its abundant branches, the olive tree, the leefy cyprus tree and the fine wine in the country. They shall be protected as God's eyes will constantly follow them. In this epilogue Hosea encourages his people to accept this prophetic Word with intelligence and wisdom. Wisdom goes hand in hand with humility. If we are humble enough we will be able to see the spiritual reality of our nature and the blessing that God sets apart for those who are penitent. However, if we harden our hearts we shall fall like the wicked ones.