Hosea 11
Today’s Passage: Hosea 11
Hosea 11 is in the context of the unfaithfulness of Israel. (If you have been reading along with us this long this comes as no surprise to you). If nothing else, as you read the book of Hosea, I pray that your resolve to heed the warnings of God against unfaithfulness and idolatry would be strengthened in your heart.
In comparison to the lack of faithfulness of his people, God is faithful beyond comprehension. Focus on verses 8-9 of chapter 11:
8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my burning anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath.
God can show compassion and mercy in the face of unfaithfulness and idolatry, not because he excuses sin, but because he would send a substitute for sin.
A recent tweet I saw sums this up well: “We have substituted so many things for Jesus. But in astonishing grace, he substituted himself for us.” Matt Smethurst
Written By: Graham Withers
Hosea 11 is in the context of the unfaithfulness of Israel. (If you have been reading along with us this long this comes as no surprise to you). If nothing else, as you read the book of Hosea, I pray that your resolve to heed the warnings of God against unfaithfulness and idolatry would be strengthened in your heart.
In comparison to the lack of faithfulness of his people, God is faithful beyond comprehension. Focus on verses 8-9 of chapter 11:
8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my burning anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath.
God can show compassion and mercy in the face of unfaithfulness and idolatry, not because he excuses sin, but because he would send a substitute for sin.
A recent tweet I saw sums this up well: “We have substituted so many things for Jesus. But in astonishing grace, he substituted himself for us.” Matt Smethurst
Written By: Graham Withers
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