The Old
Testament book of Hosea is the story of God’s faithful love for His unfaithful
people. In what seems strange to us, the Lord commanded Hosea to marry a woman
who would break her marriage vows and bring grief to him (Hosea 1:2-3). After
she deserted Hosea for other men, the Lord told him to take her back—a picture
of “the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods”
(3:1).
Later,
Hosea was called upon to tell the Israelites that because of their rebellion
against the Lord, they would be carried away into captivity by a foreign power.
“Tumult shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be
plundered” (10:14).
Yet in
the midst of their sin and punishment, the grace of God toward His people was
never exhausted. In a grace-filled exhortation, He said: “Sow for yourselves
righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to
seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you” (10:12).
Even when we have “plowed wickedness” and “reaped iniquity” (10:13), God does not stop loving us. Whatever our situation today, we can turn to the Lord and find forgiveness to make a new start. His love never fails!
