Through Hosea, God declared, “In just a little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel” (1:4). And the judgments against Israel only get harsher from there. Things were terribly amiss in the nation, and it would be painfully disciplined. But hear these pronouncements from God:
“Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it shall be said to them, ‘Children of the living God’” (1:10).
“I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord” (2:19,20).
“I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people;’ and he shall say, ‘You are my God’” (2:23).
“The children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days” (3:5).
Pure grace! In light of Israel’s great treachery, that these assurances could be spoken is nothing but absolute grace! I find that I can never get over the graciousness of our God! How about you?
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found.
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed. –John Newton (Who else could I quote, here?)