The God Who Takes Us Back
2/4/26 Bible Thought (Hosea 2)
Main Idea: Our gracious and merciful God is always ready to receive those who return.
A Look at the Text:
We saw in yesterday’s passage how Israel’s spiritual adultery was showcased through a living illustration in the life of Hosea the prophet. Now, we see in powerful, graphic language just how offended God was.
Adultery is a horrible thing. So is idolatry.
It broke the heart of God. Israel went after other lovers consistently, believing that they were the source of their blessedness. In so doing, they forsook the One who is the very fount of all good things (see Jas. 1:17). This would have consequences.
There was a time of judgment coming (Hos. 2:9-13). A time of humiliation. For the nation of Israel, Assyria would conquer them in due time. Yet, judgment was never going to be the end of the story.
The same adulteress who cheated on God again and again was going to be received back as if it were the honeymoon once more. The Valley of Achor (trouble) would become the very door of hope! (Hos. 2:15b). It would be as it was when Israel first entered into a covenant with God after escaping Egyptian slavery (Hos. 2:15d). Vows would be renewed.
Though presently subjected to consequences for their spiritual adultery, Yahweh would still receive them back when they turned to Him.
Bringing it Home:
The Bible presents on page after page a picture of a God who is gracious and merciful beyond human reason.
If God treated us like we often treat Him, we would never take Him back. Yet, God in His grace, willingly receives the returning adulteress. His faithfulness exceeds our faithlessness. We simply have to return to Him (see Zech 1:3; Mal. 3:7b; Jas. 4:8).
What a joy it is to know that judgment isn’t to be the end of the story. No matter how badly we have messed up, we serve a God who is merciful. This was put on full display at the cross where Jesus Christ suffered in our place so that our record of debts would be erased (see Col. 2:14).
There is now no condemnation to the one who is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). The slate is wiped clean. The debt is paid. The record is gone. We simply have to come home.
Will we return?
Challenge:
Do I ever find myself thinking I’ve sinned beyond the reach of God’s grace?
While the gracious kindness of God is never meant to enable us, it is supposed to draw us to repentance (see Rom. 2:4; 6:1-2).