 “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. 2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. 3 Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” 4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away. 5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light.
6 For I desire steadfast love[a] and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. 7 But like Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me. 8 Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with blood. 9 As robbers lie in wait for a man, so the priests band together; they murder on the way to Shechem; they commit villainy. 10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; Ephraim's whoredom is there; Israel is defiled. 11 For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed. When I restore the fortunes of my people, Meditation God alone can satisfy the desires of your soul. You will never be satisfied or fulfilled by anyone or anything in this world. God’s love alone will fulfill you and give you everything you are living and looking for. Israel had been worshipping Baal, a false god of fertility. Part of Baal worship was celebrating the sun and showers that give fertility to the earth. God is creator of all the earth and His word is clear- His faithfulness is as sure as the dawn and “He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that cover the earth” (3). God’s grace invites us to return to Him to be restored (1), revived, (2), and refreshed (3). God wants relationship far more than religious performance (6) but like Adam we have all rejected God and His word (7). The pattern Hosea uses for this prophecy points to Jesus Christ. Jesus was torn so in Him we can be restored. Jesus died and on the third day was resurrected. Jesus showed His love through sacrifices so we can know His love in relationship, refreshed and renewed by His grace. “Come, let us return to the Lord” is the invitation from your creator and redeemer. In relationship with Him alone can you satisfy the desires of your soul. God’s love alone offers the fulfillment you are seeking, the security you need, the significance you are longing for, and the abundant life you are created to live. Richly Dwelling -Where are you looking horizontally for things that only the Lord can give? Security, peace, significance, worth…? God and God alone can satisfy. -What do you think it looks like to “press on to know the Lord”(3) and to “desire steadfast love”(6)? -God’s grace invites us to return freshly to relationship with Him. How can you intentionally cultivate time with the Lord where the desires of your heart are satisfied in time with Him? Key Verse 3 Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” Comments are closed.
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