Reading these last chapters of Hosea, it is easy to reach the conclusion that they provide a treatise on the nature and character of Israel's God. The entire outcome hangs, not upon who or what Israel is, but upon God, what He is like and what He will do. If Israel has any hope at all, it is to be found in her God, not in herself. Isn't it the same for us? Our hope is not placed in our own goodness or abilities; rather, it is placed in the God of mercy and grace and love who declares, “I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath” (11:9) and who promises, “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” (14:4,5). Oh, that Israel would, and that we would, turn always to this gracious God seeking mercy from him who is all-merciful. In the words of Fanny Crosby:
O return ye unto God!
O return ye unto God!
He'll forgive your transgressions,
and remember them no more;
he'll forgive your transgressions,
and remember them no more.
"Look unto me, ye people,"
saith the Lord your God.
He'll forgive your transgressions,
he'll forgive your transgressions,
and remember them no more,
and remember them no more.