Today you should read: Hosea 2:14-23
Hosea is a great book for today! It speaks to our unfaithfulness to the Lord and His continued faithfulness to us. Today’s reading really strengthens that concept.
Remember, the book of Hosea is the story about a man directed by God to marry a promiscuous woman to demonstrate God’s faithfulness and restoration. Their marriage represents the covenantal relationship between God and Israel (Genesis 15). Israel (God’s chosen people) has been unfaithful to God by worshiping other gods and breaking His commandments – both terms of the covenant. So … Israel is “playing the harlot” who violates the commitments of marriage to her husband.
Today’s reading is all about God’s desire to restore His people Israel from their rebellion to God’s place of blessing again. God has brought them to a place of desperation, in which they would have to look to Him (v.7). The Lord said He would take the next steps in restoring the relationship (v. 14-15). If Israel responds positively – this would lead them to renewal and blessing.
Renewed Love (v.14-15)
Look at God’s love language…
…I will win her back
…speak tenderly to her
…return her vineyards
God loves His people and shows it! Even when Israel rebelled – God still loved and cared for them. He’s longing to have them back in His arms where He can show them again how much He loves them.
Renewed Marriage (v.16-20)
Look at what God says…
…you will call me ‘my husband’
…I will make you my wife forever
…showing you unfailing love and compassion
God is committed to His people and expects them to be committed to Him (Exodus 20:2-6). God’s faithfulness does not however, depend on theirs. He’s faithful, just because He is God. He continues to pursue His people.
Renewed Blessing (v.21-23)
God longs to bless His people. He wants to open the heavens and pour out blessings on them till it overflows (Malachi 3:10). His blessings are contingent on His people’s obedience. All throughout scripture He speaks of obedience and blessings being tied together.
What can I take away from today’s reading?
- God is faithful. I can rest in that.
The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23
- My choice to sin leads me away from the blessings of my relationship to my Father. I must realize my waywardness and return to the arms of the Lover of my soul.
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey You. Psalm 51:1-4, 10, 12
- God wants to renew me, restore me, and bless me.
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
What is God saying to you today?
In what ways do you need to return to His arms and to His blessing?
What are you going to do?
Posted by: Tim Parsons
JumpstartCPC.com 
Thank you God for relentlessly pursuing me when my heart is filled with sin and rebellious toward you. Thank you for being the lover of my soul and always granting me forgiveness after I have repented of my sin. Praise God for His goodness!
I have to admit some struggle with the book of Hosea so far. The symbolism has eluded my understanding, yet today it seems my eyes have been opened to the truth of God’s commitment to His children.
Verses 16, 19-20 seemed to leap off the pages of my Bible this morning. God, the Most High, Creator of the universe, the great I Am, desires an intimate relationship with me! He is committed to it FOREVER (Vs 19), He is committed to it with ALL that makes Him God (righteousness, justice, love, compassion, and faithfulness), He is committed in spite of my lack of response and disobedience. He is committed to the point of doing whatever it takes to bring me to the place that I will acknowledge Him (Vs 20, 23) as not only Father and Master, but Husband and Friend.
Grasping this will help me release those deep places in my heart that I hold so tightly, that keep me from reaching the fullness God has in store for me – understanding that it is safe to let go, to surrender, because God will take care of me, better than I can take care of me.
Father, today I acknowledge You and thank you for the commitment you have towards me. Help me to surrender to the amazing love You have poured out and help me to live my life as the spotless bride You desire and deserve. It will be a work that only You can do and for which You will receive ALL the glory. Amen!
GREAT comments Multipliers! Grateful for both of you!!
What is God saying to me today ? === Surrender to Him and crave His Word . In what ways do i need to return to His loving arms and to His Blessing? I need to turn from my own way and follow completely His Way. I truly want to do this but I can’t without surrendering totally to Him. What am I going to do ? I am going to seek the joy of His Salvation by obeying His Word . Thanks TIm Parsons for being a friend and a Pastor, who seeks God’s Face , watches out for the sheep, and leads the flock in the way they should go . What a Blessing to so many lives — giving up a ” rich life ” for the Best Life .
Great observations and comments Tom! Thanks for all you do! TIM