August 18, Hosea 9
The days of punishment have come; the days of recompense have come; Israel shall know it. - Hosea 9:7
Many of us think of the book of Hosea as a love story, albeit a tragic one. It paints an amazing portrait on the canvas of Hosea's life and marriage to Gomer— a vivid picture of the great and long-suffering love of God for his people. Hosea took Gomer back again and again because he loved her, just as God did and offered to do with the nation of Israel. Hosea redeemed his unfaithful wife from the master to whom she had enslaved herself, just as God brought Israel out of their bondage.
But finally Hosea and the Lord would put up with no more of their unfaithful spouses' betrayal. Hosea reduced Gomer from her status as his wife to a servant in his household, with none of the blessings and privileges she had previously enjoyed as his wife. And God divorced Israel, revoked their covenant blessings and let them go their way to ruin.
Chapter 9 describes how God sent his wrath on Israel because of their unfaithfulness. Their reveling and idolatry finally ruined them. There would be no more festive celebrations and feasts. They lost their opportunity to observe God's laws and sacrifice to him when the Assyrians took them away into captivity. They left their possessions and homes behind, became slaves again and would die in slavery because they refused to listen to God. Their birth rate would decline, and they would never again be a powerful, populous nation. God would reconcile individual Israelites in Christ. But the nation was ruined. God's hand was on the instruments of their punishment. But Israel brought those agonizing consequences upon themselves.
That contrast between the loving kindness and wrath of God reminded me of some things Paul wrote in Romans. He said the gospel revealed both the righteousness and the wrath of God. Those who heard and believed the gospel and responded to it in grateful obedience would be saved, clothed with the righteousness of God in Christ. But those who despised and rejected the truth would know the wrath of God against ungodliness. Then later Paul wrote, "Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness." Hosea is an exhibition of both the goodness and severity of God.
God waited a long time for Israel to turn back to him. He showed amazing restraint, love, mercy and patience with stubborn people who forsook him and prostituted themselves with false gods. But at last he rained down his wrath on his people who rejected him and would not repent.
The named places in this chapter tell a chilling story on their own, if you know the historical background. Egypt was the land of Israel’s first slavery from which God delivered them in the Exodus. The name Egypt became symbolic in the prophets' writing for captivity and bondage, even when the captors were not Egyptians. Memphis was the great Egyptian city of the dead, where so many people were buried. It symbolized that these Israelites would go into captivity and never return. Baal-peor was the place where Balaam finally enticed the Israelites into idolatry and immorality. Gilgal was the place where Israel got the king they insisted on getting when Saul was crowned as Israel's first human king. God marked that name as a symbol of Israel's rejection of God to have their own way.
Finally, Hosea pronounced Israel's doom because they would not listen to the Lord. They were doomed to wander among the nations and never be recognized as a favored nation again. That sad prophecy came true before Christ came into the world and it has continued through the centuries.
It’s great to be thrilled and motivated by the good news of God’s great love for and patience with his people. But let’s also be motivated to maintain holy fear and reverent respect for our God who will pour out his wrath on those who spurn his loving invitation. We want to be on the side of his great love, not his great wrath.
Copyright © 2024 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—August 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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