True & Beautiful Things About the Bible--Old Testamentಮಾದರಿ

Hosea, Joel, Amos: God Knows How We Feel

Nothing feels worse than when something’s not right between you and someone you love. The prophets Hosea, Amos, and Joel tell us that God knows how we feel—in fact, He feels the same way when we run from Him and act like He’s the one to blame.

Israel knew God’s love like no other nation knew it. He delivered them, He redeemed them, He protected them, He forgave them. He was crazy for them. Yet, they worshipped idols—which even they knew weren’t real. Something wasn’t right between them and God’s heart broke in His love for them.

Yet He still went after them—even when they ran. In Hosea, Joel, and Amos, we witness God’s all-out pursuit to win their hearts.

·God loved Israel like Hosea loved Gomer. Hosea married her, knowing she’d be unfaithful to him. He bought her back when she got in debt, and restored her as a forgiving husband. God brought Israel’s dark secret out in the open where it could be faced and healed. He loved their broken family. The community called Hosea a fool to love his wife who treated him like that. The same could be said of God’s relentless, beautiful love for His people.

·Joel also called runaway Israel back to God and pleaded with her to repent of her sins. If they didn’t, they would get nothing but bad news. They worried, but what if we do turn back to God, how will He treat us? Joel tells them He will be gracious and compassionate. Slow to anger. Committed to mercy. He would change His mind about disciplining them with a locus storm. If only they would just turn around. Today is always a good day to start doing what’s right.

·The prophet Amos had an uncomfortable message to deliver to people who were uncomfortable with him. A common laborer from the south (Judah), Amos confronted the sophisticated people of the north (Israel) on their meaningless worship. Amos said God didn’t want their offerings because they didn’t offer them with a pure heart. It’s empty to Him. Instead, “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (5:24) Make your worship of Me real by treating others with justice and righteous social concern. If you do that, then God said He will bless, restore, and not discipline you. They dismissed Amos with an eye-roll.

Nothing feels worse than being far away from God. You can’t even see how far away you are. Through Hosea, Joel, and Amos, God pleaded for Israel to return to Him. God waited to welcome them back. But they refused.

Next: The last thing they said.