August 12, 2025 - Hosea 13-14

I always tend to close out my musings on Hosea by pointing to the closing verses.  Someone might ask, “Why do you always reflect on those same verses as you close out your reading of Hosea?”  And, of course, my answer is, “That’s the way HOSEA closes!”  So much sin and rebellion among the Israelites.  So much misplaced faith in the idols. So much stubbornness;  the people simply refused to listen to the prophet.  Yet, speaking for the Lord, Hosea closes:

            I will heal their apostasy;

I will love them freely,

for my anger has turned from them.

            I will be like the dew to Israel;

he shall blossom like the lily;

he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;

            his shoots shall spread out;

his beauty shall be like the olive,

and his fragrance like Lebanon.

            They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow;

they shall flourish like the grain;

            they shall blossom like the vine;

their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon” (14:4-7)

Someone might also ask, “Not only with Hosea, but throughout your reading of the Bible, you continuously come back to these matters.  Why?”  And, of course, my answer is, “Well, that’s what the biblical writers do.  Over and over again, they tell the truth about our sin and also tell us about God’s wonderful grace and mercies.”  And so, we sing:

Christ, the blessed one, gives to all

wonderful words of life;

sinner, list to the loving call,

wonderful words of life;

all so freely given,

wooing us to heaven.

Beautiful words, wonderful words,

wonderful words of life.

Beautiful words, wonderful words,

wonderful words of life.   -- P. P. Bliss (1874)