Hosea 14: Return

​Key verse
7 They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain;
they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
​
Meditation
God’s grace is irresistible, compelling us to turn from the idols of our heart and return to Jesus with all our heart. God promises to turn from His anger and lavish us with love, restoring and renewing our humanity. Hosea’s invitation is echoed throughout Scripture, most clearly by Peter (Acts 3:19-20): 
 
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
 
The word for “turn” or “return” is repeated five times in these nine verses. God invites Israel to return from their rebellion to relationship with Him (1, 2). God promises to heal their hurt and to turn from His anger (4). All who return to the Lord will be protected, flourishing in humanity to live fruitful lives (7).
 
Hosea began with imagery of a groom redeeming His wayward bride to restore her with steadfast love and he concludes with invitation to respond to redemption with returning to relationship. God’s wrath and judgment throughout the book are outshined by the Lord’s steadfast love, open arms longing for His people to return to Him.
 
We can return to the Lord’s love because the Father turned His face away from Jesus on the cross, turning the wrath for sin upon Christ as our sacrifice. Believers can return to find refreshment and renewal because Jesus was devastated in our place.
 
The grace of God is irresistible, compelling us to turn from our sin and return to relationship with Him. Our Heavenly groom awaits us, eager to lavish us with love.

Today's Reading
Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
    for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.
2 Take with you words
    and return to the Lord;
say to him,
    “Take away all iniquity;
accept what is good,
    and we will pay with bulls
    the vows of our lips.
3 Assyria shall not save us;
    we will not ride on horses;
and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’
    to the work of our hands.
In you the orphan finds mercy.”
4 I will heal their apostasy;
    I will love them freely,
    for my anger has turned from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
    he shall blossom like the lily;
    he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;
6 his shoots shall spread out;
    his beauty shall be like the olive,
    and his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow;
    they shall flourish like the grain;
they shall blossom like the vine;
    their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?
    It is I who answer and look after you.
I am like an evergreen cypress;
    from me comes your fruit.
9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
    whoever is discerning, let him know them;
for the ways of the Lord are right,
    and the upright walk in them,
    but transgressors stumble in them.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the emphasis on returning?
 
-God’s grace is greater than our sin. What do you need to turn from to return whole-heartedly to His steadfast love? Ask Jesus to restore and renew areas that have been ruined by your rebellion.
 
-Jesus was devastated so you can be healed. Our hope is in Jesus and His work! Take a moment to focus on the cross, the place where God’s wrath is satisfied. God is no longer angry with His people! Meditate on this truth- God is not angry with you and  longs for you to  turn to His love.
 
Key verse
7 They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain;
they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.