January 27, 2015
Hosea 1:9 - "You are not my people, and I am not your God."
Hosea 2:23 - "You are my people... you are our God."
What a contrast between Hosea 1:9 and Hosea 2:23. Hosea's message came during the reign of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, which was prior to the fall of Jerusalem. God was still trying to get the message to Israel. You are like an adulteress woman. You have prostituted yourself and have been unfaithful to me.
They had turned away from God and God was pursuing them. Judah, for the most part, was faithful during this time period and God said, "I will save them, but not by using bows and sword, horses or horsemen, or weapons of war. I, the LORD their God, will save them." (Hosea 1:7)
Israel was not faithful, and God is telling them what He will do and the consequences they will face in order for there to be any hope for restoration. His words are strong:
Hope. There is always hope. Hope that "in the last days they will turn in fear to the LORD, and he will bless them." (Hosea 3:5) Hope that Hosea 1:9 - "You are not my people, and I am not your God," will turn into Hosea 2:23 - "You are my people... you are our God." Hope. Always hope.
God pursues, but it is man's choice. We either turn to God or we turn away from Him.
Hope. Always hope.
Next Entry: Hosea 4:1 – 5:15
Hosea 1:9 - "You are not my people, and I am not your God."
Hosea 2:23 - "You are my people... you are our God."
What a contrast between Hosea 1:9 and Hosea 2:23. Hosea's message came during the reign of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, which was prior to the fall of Jerusalem. God was still trying to get the message to Israel. You are like an adulteress woman. You have prostituted yourself and have been unfaithful to me.
They had turned away from God and God was pursuing them. Judah, for the most part, was faithful during this time period and God said, "I will save them, but not by using bows and sword, horses or horsemen, or weapons of war. I, the LORD their God, will save them." (Hosea 1:7)
Israel was not faithful, and God is telling them what He will do and the consequences they will face in order for there to be any hope for restoration. His words are strong:
- I will strip...
- I will not take pity...
- I will block...
- I will hem her in...
- I will take away...
- I will take back what I have given...
- I will stop...
- I will destroy...
- I will punish...
Hope. There is always hope. Hope that "in the last days they will turn in fear to the LORD, and he will bless them." (Hosea 3:5) Hope that Hosea 1:9 - "You are not my people, and I am not your God," will turn into Hosea 2:23 - "You are my people... you are our God." Hope. Always hope.
God pursues, but it is man's choice. We either turn to God or we turn away from Him.
Hope. Always hope.
Next Entry: Hosea 4:1 – 5:15
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