Week of July 9
Being God’s Messengers of Hope
Read: Hosea 6-9; Hebrews 3
“Come, let us return to the Lord;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.”
Hosea 6:1, ESV
Introduction
“Legalistic remorse says, ‘I broke the rules,’ while real repentance says, ‘I broke God’s heart’” (Timothy Keller). I vividly recall to this day the grief that I felt when a gentleman church member, whom I deeply loved, morally failed. When church folks discovered the truth about his wrongdoing, he came to me and assured me that he was sorry he had committed the wrong, but he never expressed any real contrition over breaking God’s heart.
I write that it grieved me because I had walked that same path at one time when I was a young man. God poured out His grace on my life, and I was flooded with His love and forgiveness; something I have spent my lifetime preaching and teaching. I longed for this Christian brother to know the same, and he eventually did come to repentance. It was a joyful moment.
This passage in Hosea’s prophecy has caused Bible scholars to differ on whether Israel was truly repentant at this point, and if these words were sincere. I believe that we all have been in a position where we were more remorseful that we were caught doing something wrong rather than regretful that we had wronged someone else. Let’s learn how to approach God when we have failed Him.
I write that it grieved me because I had walked that same path at one time when I was a young man. God poured out His grace on my life, and I was flooded with His love and forgiveness; something I have spent my lifetime preaching and teaching. I longed for this Christian brother to know the same, and he eventually did come to repentance. It was a joyful moment.
This passage in Hosea’s prophecy has caused Bible scholars to differ on whether Israel was truly repentant at this point, and if these words were sincere. I believe that we all have been in a position where we were more remorseful that we were caught doing something wrong rather than regretful that we had wronged someone else. Let’s learn how to approach God when we have failed Him.
The Meaning of the Text
How to return to God when we fail Him
Our first response is to respond to God’s invitation. Make no mistake, our first response to God follows His initial call to return to Him. God’s true character shows Him to be a God that seeks and saves His creation. Hosea joins himself to the people in our focal passage today when he calls them to return with him to Yahweh. I hope you “see” what I see.
Hosea denounced the sin but did not discard his people. Our children, spouses, and fellow Christians will greatly benefit from seeing God’s mercy in our attitudes and actions toward them when they fail. Even so, we must be clear that the placement of this passage here in the prophetic book follows God’s declaration that He would wait until His people responded to Him (NAC). There is more, so much more, to this relationship between God and nation, so let’s further investigate the heart of what Hosea writes to us today.
Scholars are divided on whether the 6:1-3 call to repentance is a genuine call to repentance (cf. NAC). Some note that Israel’s piety would hardly be considered an exemplar for true faith, and they believe that this passage was inserted here not as a true call to repentance. Hmm.
I’m all for a careful analysis of the text, but may we not view the passage as God’s desire for His people? He has punished them (v. 1) and expresses His desire for them to attain to true knowledge of Him. It is also apparent that God is the waiting Father (cf. the prodigal son; Luke 15:11-32) when He expresses His despair over whether the people would heed His call (v. 4). God calls us to repent, we encourage others to denounce their wrongdoing, then point them to the waiting Father! I see in this cycle a message of hope.
Hosea denounced the sin but did not discard his people. Our children, spouses, and fellow Christians will greatly benefit from seeing God’s mercy in our attitudes and actions toward them when they fail. Even so, we must be clear that the placement of this passage here in the prophetic book follows God’s declaration that He would wait until His people responded to Him (NAC). There is more, so much more, to this relationship between God and nation, so let’s further investigate the heart of what Hosea writes to us today.
Scholars are divided on whether the 6:1-3 call to repentance is a genuine call to repentance (cf. NAC). Some note that Israel’s piety would hardly be considered an exemplar for true faith, and they believe that this passage was inserted here not as a true call to repentance. Hmm.
I’m all for a careful analysis of the text, but may we not view the passage as God’s desire for His people? He has punished them (v. 1) and expresses His desire for them to attain to true knowledge of Him. It is also apparent that God is the waiting Father (cf. the prodigal son; Luke 15:11-32) when He expresses His despair over whether the people would heed His call (v. 4). God calls us to repent, we encourage others to denounce their wrongdoing, then point them to the waiting Father! I see in this cycle a message of hope.
God’s presence follows our true repentance
We will know God’s presence when we offer Him our true repentance (vv. 1-2). Duane Garrett writes that “every time the word ‘return’ is used with Israel as the subject and Yahweh as the one to whom return is made, it indicates a true repentance and not a pseudoreturn” (NAC). It makes sense that God’s favor would follow our sincere desire to turn from our wickedness and follow Him with whole hearts.
That which has been torn to pieces brings to mind the lion metaphor (5:14), and the bandaging of injuries calls to attention (5:12) God’s healing. The glory in the passage is what every Christian will recognize when Hosea writes: “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him” (v. 2). So, what’s the point?
That which has been torn to pieces brings to mind the lion metaphor (5:14), and the bandaging of injuries calls to attention (5:12) God’s healing. The glory in the passage is what every Christian will recognize when Hosea writes: “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him” (v. 2). So, what’s the point?
Looking forward to the New Testament
The point is that only God can take a person, or a people, who is dead in their rebellion and breathe into him or her new life. The rest of Scripture in the New Testament will bear out this truth. Even though the New Testament does not explicitly cite this verse (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:4), this is the key Old Testament text that speaks of the third day in the fashion that Hosea does (NAC)!
Originally, Hosea was foretelling the restoration of God’s people, Israel. The messianic implications, however, are powerful, and we see in this passage a vital element in God’s redemptive theme that has stretched from the opening pages of scripture to this point. Israel would be restored to new life, and this would parallel the life of Christ (NAC). This passage shouts the message to us: “Repent!” “Acknowledge God!” “God will appear!” (v. 3).
Originally, Hosea was foretelling the restoration of God’s people, Israel. The messianic implications, however, are powerful, and we see in this passage a vital element in God’s redemptive theme that has stretched from the opening pages of scripture to this point. Israel would be restored to new life, and this would parallel the life of Christ (NAC). This passage shouts the message to us: “Repent!” “Acknowledge God!” “God will appear!” (v. 3).
The Message for Our Lives
Parents know the agonizing heartache of rebellious children. I have heard numerous accounts through the years of children that have rejected their parents’ Christian love and guidance, have cut their home ties, then embarked on an entirely different way of life. I’ve watched as these children returned home now and then to visit their families and attend worship services at Christmas or Easter. My heart grieved for them as I could sense their outward effort to fit in with the faith of their family and, more importantly, God.
Please know that I am not being Pollyanna-like and glossing over the fact that there also are Christian homes that have been legalistic and lacking in the love of Christ! My decades-long prayer has been that God’s call to receive His love and repentance would be heard by all inside our homes.
Furthermore, my heart also grieves for our “Christian” nation that demonstrates all the symptoms of rebellion against God. We sing “God bless America” at sports events, but this will never suffice for a return to God. Philip Yancey has written, “Repentance, not proper behavior or even holiness, is the doorway to grace . . . the opposite of sin is grace, not virtue.” A better song title would be a heartfelt, “God grace America.” God is waiting for us individually and collectively to return to Him.
Please know that I am not being Pollyanna-like and glossing over the fact that there also are Christian homes that have been legalistic and lacking in the love of Christ! My decades-long prayer has been that God’s call to receive His love and repentance would be heard by all inside our homes.
Furthermore, my heart also grieves for our “Christian” nation that demonstrates all the symptoms of rebellion against God. We sing “God bless America” at sports events, but this will never suffice for a return to God. Philip Yancey has written, “Repentance, not proper behavior or even holiness, is the doorway to grace . . . the opposite of sin is grace, not virtue.” A better song title would be a heartfelt, “God grace America.” God is waiting for us individually and collectively to return to Him.
For Thought and Action
1. The great many of us who read this devotional have returned to God and live life reflecting His grace. Praise God! However, I invite you to write down attitudes and actions that may be serving as a hindrance to the return to Christ of children and Christian friends. Hosea, like all true prophets, knew how to denounce the sin but not discard the sinner. Something in his words and actions conveyed the loving call of God to return home. Ask God to give you that type of heart.
2. For Families: Do you recall the WWJD, “What Would Jesus Do?” bracelets? That little tool caused many people to awaken to their need to live more Christlike lives. That movement holds some spiritual promise in our homes if we help our children to sense Christ’s heart when He calls us to repent. Perhaps we can change one word in the acronym: “What Did Jesus Do?”
Read to your children how Jesus responded to what would become Peter’s great moral failure (John 13:36-398, esp. v. 36, “you will follow afterward”; 21:15-17, “feed my sheep”). Emphasize the need for repentance but do not overlook the essential element of restoration!
The Center holds a Mary’s Table for Children each August where we teach the “little ones” ways to make healthy snacks, practice good dental hygiene, and learn from the Bible to practice total health in body, mind, and soul. Last year, we helped the children to make Jesus bracelets that illustrated with colorful beads how to follow Jesus and receive His love and forgiveness. The children loved the activity! I think that your child(ren) will benefit from the same. Click here for a guide to the activity so that you may illustrate genuine repentance and restoration.
May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock
2. For Families: Do you recall the WWJD, “What Would Jesus Do?” bracelets? That little tool caused many people to awaken to their need to live more Christlike lives. That movement holds some spiritual promise in our homes if we help our children to sense Christ’s heart when He calls us to repent. Perhaps we can change one word in the acronym: “What Did Jesus Do?”
Read to your children how Jesus responded to what would become Peter’s great moral failure (John 13:36-398, esp. v. 36, “you will follow afterward”; 21:15-17, “feed my sheep”). Emphasize the need for repentance but do not overlook the essential element of restoration!
The Center holds a Mary’s Table for Children each August where we teach the “little ones” ways to make healthy snacks, practice good dental hygiene, and learn from the Bible to practice total health in body, mind, and soul. Last year, we helped the children to make Jesus bracelets that illustrated with colorful beads how to follow Jesus and receive His love and forgiveness. The children loved the activity! I think that your child(ren) will benefit from the same. Click here for a guide to the activity so that you may illustrate genuine repentance and restoration.
May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock
Posted in Pathway Devotionals