She Reads Truth: HoseaSample

Hosea 11 | Psalm 107:1-9

The change in tone that comes with Hosea 11 makes me breathe in deep. Does it do the same for you? It is here, after ten chapters, that we find the verdict we’ve been looking for: Love and Mercy win.

There is striking emotion in the Lord’s voice in this heart-wrenching passage. The people of Israel are God’s children. He raised them up, rescued them, taught them to walk in His ways. “I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.” (v. 4, ESV) And yet they’ve turned away. Can you mamas out there imagine?

The Lord heals His beloved and they do not recognize His hand though it has sustained them all along. Can you hear His sadness?

God has every right to punish; we’ve discussed this already. He is holy and just, after all, and Israel does not measure up. And yet. “How can I give you up?” he says to Israel. “My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my burning anger.” (from v.8-9, ESV)

Because He rules His anger and not the other way around, God can choose to have mercy on Israel - on us - and that is exactly what He does. His holiness demands that He remain separated from sin, but His compassion implores Him to make a way.

And so He calls us home.

Wherever we are - in whatever muck and mire, whether we’ve run to the east or west - His mercy and compassion find us there.

Whatever we’ve done - no matter the guilt and shame we’ve carried over many miles and years - the cross of Christ is the bridge carries us over.

And like the forgiving father in the parable of the prodigal son, He is giddy at our return.

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