READ HOSEA 11
GO DEEPER
NOTE: As with many poems, Hosea uses imagery and references filled with implicit significance. Although the original audience of Hosea, the people of Israel, would have understood these references well, those of us in the twenty-first century may not as easily relate.
In Hosea 11, envision Israel as a rebellious adolescent with the nickname “Ephraim.” Despite God giving him life, teaching him to walk, feeding him, protecting him, and meeting his needs, Israel persistently runs away, disregards warnings, demands privileges, and associates with the wrong crowd. This is where we encounter God in chapter 11. He has had enough! In verse 7, God states, And my people are bent to backsliding from Me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt Him. The tragic reality of those words can be summed up as the following: 'My people have resolved to turn away from Me. Even if they call Me the Most High God, I will not honor them.'
However, in verse 8, we sense the tenderness in God’s plea, “How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?” Despite being hurt by His people’s rebellion, God refuses to abandon them to destruction like the cities of Admah and Zeboyim, which were destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah. We witness God’s compassion, and His determination drives the plan for Israel's reconciliation with Him. Despite their rebellion, God’s love surpasses His anger and motivates His forgiveness of Israel.
Not only will God not annihilate the nation of Israel, He will bring them, and us, back to Him through Jesus Christ. In verse 10, God prophesies, He shall roar like a lion: when He shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west. (Hosea 11:10). Therefore, we can observe that God will fiercely confront his enemies. Then the Lord’s people will follow him. When He roars, His children will come home trembling with fear. Jesus is identified as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and this verse foreshadows His arrival like a lion, protecting the souls of His people and their repentant return to Him. Nonetheless, this is not solely about the people of Israel but also about all of us.
We are the rebellious adolescents. We flee from Him when we see things we covet. We disregard His warnings of perils in this world. We demand entitlement-based privileges. We pursue individuals and things for immediate gratification. We resemble Israel, yet God was not finished with them, and He is not finished with us. Jesus came to grant us abundant life (John 10:10), shield us from the adversary and our misguided decisions (2 Thessalonians 3:3), and restore our relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12).
QUESTIONS
1. What actions have you taken to defy authority this week?
2. How does the presence of Jesus impact your defiance?
3. In what manner can we demonstrate God's love and compassion in challenging relationships?