From Hosea 11: 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. 5 They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. 6The sword rages in their cities, it consumes their oracle-priests, and devours because of their schemes. 7 My people are bent on turning away from me. To the Most High they call, but he does not raise them up at all. 8 How can I give you up, 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 fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. 10 They shall go after the Lord, who roars like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west. 11 They shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria; and I will return them to their homes, says the Lord.
God is not human. God does not respond in human ways, that is to say, God's love is eternal, not changing. God does not hold a grudge when we ask for forgiveness. God never gives up on us even when we sometimes give up on God. Hosea's message was for the people of God to return to God. God, through Hosea, spoke of that love and tenderness towards God's people; yet, the people sought other gods and served them. God taught His people to walk, and they ran away from God. Yet, God says that He was like a parent who holds infants to the cheek, tenderly and lovingly; God even bending down to feed them. Politically, God says, they are suffering because spiritually they are not right with me. As the Message version says, "The crime rate in their cities is sky high," and all because their heart is not right with God. Still, God's message is that He will not give up on His people; even today, God does not give up on us. God's compassion is as strong today as it was during Hosea's time. God has every right to deal with Israel then, and you and me today, in ways that we should deserve, yet God loves us even more. God is not human and does not respond like us.
The day will come, says God, when God will roar like a lion and God's children shall come trembling back home to God. Then God will return them to their homes.
The road that leads away from God seems long; but the road home to God is not long at all. Why choose a journey apart from God that invites all that accompanies a spiritually weak heart?
PRAYER: Amazing God, roar in my life the voice of strength and love. Help me to stay on the road on which You travel. This I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
