Dwell in the Word: Hosea 14:1-9

Contemplate these questions as you dwell in Hosea 14:1-9:

1. The book of Hosea emphasizes the cyclical pattern of Israel's unfaithfulness and God's call for repentance. How does this pattern resonate with our personal spiritual journeys, and how can we break similar cycles of unfaithfulness and return to God?

2. The passage underscores the importance of genuine repentance, emphasizing that God seeks not only words but a transformation of the heart. How can believers ensure that their repentance isn't merely lip service but results in a genuine transformation of attitudes and actions?

3. The concluding verses highlight the contrast between those who discern God's ways and those who stumble over them. How can believers develop wisdom and understanding to walk in God's ways, avoiding stumbling and embracing His graciousness and mercy?

Transcript:

 So, as we come to the end of the book of Hosea, we have seen an interesting flow to the story, right? It all started out with Hosea being told to marry Gomer and it's a picture for us of the unfaithfulness of the people of Israel, the people of God and  the faithful one who is God. Hosea represents the faithful one and Gomer is Israel who has, has turned aside to adultery.

And we see this over and over. It's, it's, uh, one condemnation from God followed by another called repentance and God calling out in love to his people. And so that is how the story ends. The story does not end with condemnation here in Hosea and said it's a. Call to the people of Israel. It's a call to the people of God to return to him in repentance and we see that Right away here in verse 1 we see that it says return Oh Israel to the Lord your God for you have stumbled because of your iniquity  That's putting it lightly, isn't it?

I mean think about the all the harsh language In the book of Hosea, and now as it ends, it says you've stumbled, right? It's been more than that. It's been unfaithfulness. And so, God is calling them in their stumbling, in their unfaithfulness, to return to Him. He wants not just words; he wants them to actually return to him.

We see that in verse two. Uh, he wants them to come with their words of repentance. Their words that they're going to change. But he also wants them to change their hearts. That is when he will accept their vows. That's when he, as it says here in verse two, that he will accept their bulls, their sacrifices will be acceptable, him acceptable to him when their hearts follow what they are doing in their sacrifices.

And it's not just words. And so, we see that what the problem has been as the people have turned away from God in their sin and in their idolatry, and that's what I really want us to make sure we understand here as we look at verse eight. Oh, Ephraim, what have I had to do with idols? God is sing.  Why would you even think that I could be represented with, with something you could hold in your hands?

Why do you think that I could be represented with something that a craftsman made?  Look at what God says here. It is I who answers and looks after you.  Your idol that is sitting on your shelf isn't going to do anything for you. It will not answer you.  The ones who are The ones who are there that they are looking at are absent Even though they are in the room, there's something they can grasp, something they can, they can, um, attempt to understand.

They have to know that they have no power. It is only God who can answer their prayers. It is only God who can accept their repentance. They are called to turn to Him because He is the one who looks after them. And so, Hosea ends with these words, whoever is wise, let him understand these things. We do well.

To listen to these words and to understand them and to do them whoever is discerning Let him know them for the ways of the lord are right and the upright walk in them But transgressors stumble in them if we understand god's words if we god's words if we truly Understand who he is. We are going to turn to him.

We will want to Walk in his ways desire to follow his path. We will desire to be upright but at the same time Transgressors are going to fall right over the top of them.  They're going to turn away from God. The commands that he puts out there, the calls to repentance that God puts out there for his people, they will just fall over them and fall flat on their face.

But those who understand will return to the Lord their God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.  So, as we close up. The book of Hosea, we can see how in many ways our lives are like the book of Hosea. We struggle to follow God, but then we're called back. We hear the Word; the Spirit brings us to repentance, and we follow him again.

We follow in that same trend that we see Israel doing.  But if we are wise and we understand these things.  May we discern what is right, what is wrong. May we discern the path that we should follow God in.  And may we not stumble over them. So may we continue to hear God's word and to follow Him in repentance and faith that our lives might bring all honor and glory to Christ alone.