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May 23 Daily Devotional

COME AND LET US RETURN UNTO THE LORD, FOR HE HATH TORN, AND HE WILL HEAL US

Henry T. Vriesen

Hosea 1–14

Some years after Amos of Tekoah had faced the crowds at Bethel, another prophet arose in Israel. It was Hosea, a son of Beeri. He was of Beth-shemesh, so it is said. Hosea’s eyes were open to the apostasy (falling away) of his people. He heard the voice of God and for many years his prophetic message sounded throughout the Northern kingdom. His faithless wife Gomer signifies the faithlessness of Israel, that turned away from God and followed Baal. “Hear the Word of the Lord,” so the prophet proclaimed, “The land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord … for yet a little while, and I will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel … I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel … For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim. Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days.”

Such harsh words of judgment had to be spoken. But also words of affection and lovingkindness came from the lips of Hosea. “Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up … How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Adamah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee … I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew to Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have’ heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.”

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