Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Pre-exilic Prophets 4 (1)
Pray Psalm 115.1-3.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
“So where is their God?”
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.
Sing Psalm 115.1-3.
(Plainfield: Nothing But the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, LORD, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Read Hosea chapters 1 and 2; meditate on Hosea 2.19-23.
Preparation
1. How does God describe His new covenant with His people?
2. What will be the nature of their relationship then?
Meditation
A contemporary of Amos, Hosea’s ministry began under Jeroboam II and continued into the reign of Hezekiah in Judah. That makes him a contemporary of Isaiah as well. Hosea began his work in a time of great headiness in Israel, cf. 2 Kgs. 14.23-29, the glow of which must have lasted for many years. Let’s assume he began his work at the end of Jeroboam’s reign, during year 27 of his 41-year reign (when Uzziah became king in Judah, 2 Kgs. 15. cf. 15.13). His ministry extended over a period of 84 years (15.2, 33, 16.2, 18.1). He would have lived through the destruction of Israel, perhaps sheltered in Judah (2 Kgs. 17).
Hosea 2.14-23 is an exciting outline catalog of the salvation God will bring to His people “in that day” (2.16, 18, 21). Salvation begins with our being rightly related to God in love. He becomes our Man, our Husband and Lover, and not just some master we seek to placate (v. 16). So strong will be our attachment to Him and our love for Him, that we will have no thought for any of those things we trusted or delighted in before knowing Him (v. 17). He restores us to our original creation mandate (vv. 18, 21, 22) so that the earth yields His goodness as we tend and care for it and develop its rich potential.
As the bride of the Lord and His children, we increase in righteousness, justice, lovingkindness, and mercy, as His Law orders all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities, and as, through faithfulness, we increase in knowing Him (vv. 19, 20). We will increase throughout the earth as the Lord Himself sows us everywhere and continues His mercy upon us, and we will continually enjoy the assurance that we are His people and He is our God (v. 23). All of this, of course, would only be possible through God’s initiative, which He accomplished through Jesus.
What a great salvation our God has accomplished for us in Jesus Christ!
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
We, no doubt, find Gomer’s unfaithfulness and lifestyle reprehensible. So much so, that we may sit back and take a moment to judge her. And then, just as we are getting really disgusted with her, the full realization hits us, God’s story about Hosea and Gomer is the very same story of our relationship with Him. This is not a fable or parable; this is the true story of all for whom Jesus died.
But then even after we are wed to Him, our beloved Husband, do we ever “forget” Him? (Hos. 2.13)
Like the people in Hosea’s day? Does anything ever take the place of Him in importance? Do we ever find that we just don’t have the time to be with Him? Are we still, some days, Gomer?
Because of the lovingkindness of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus, we find forgiveness and renewal.
Instead of experiencing God’s judgment— “for she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband” (Hos. 2.2)—we instead hear these words of love and faithfulness:
“‘For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His Name;
and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He is called the God of the whole earth.
For the LORD has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
like a youthful wife when you were refused,’ says your God.
‘For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you.
With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;
but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,’ says the LORD, your Redeemer” (Is. 54.5-8).
“I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion” (Rom. 9.15; Ex. 33.19).
“But God Who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…” (Eph. 2.4, 5).
“…according to His mercy He saved us…” (Tit. 3.5).
Betrothed to the LORD through His mercy, love, grace, and forgiveness… “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11.33).
Only God in His mercy would search out and wed the Gomers of the world.
“But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
in fear of You I will worship” (Ps. 5.7) You, dear Husband Jesus, Savior of my soul.
Reflection
1. In what sense are you—we who believe—betrothed to Jesus? Why do we need to know this?
2. What is our responsibility as the betrothed of the Lord?
3. How should that work out in your Personal Mission Field?
… believers are enabled to expect infinitely more tenderness and kindness from their holy God, than a beloved wife can expect from the kindest husband. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Hosea 2.14-23
Pray Psalm 115.9-18.
The Church is Jesus’ Bride. He is preparing a place for us and a wedding feast that will last forever. Pray that your love for Jesus will increase day by day as you look forward to the marriage feast of the Lamb (Rev. 19).
Sing Psalm 115.9-18.
(Prainfield: Nothing But the Blood of Jesus)
All who trust in Jesus yield—ever to His Name be glory—
find in Him their help and shield: Ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the LORD! He helps us evermore!
Fear Him, obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Blessings from our gracious LORD —ever to Your Name be glory—
will attend us evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, LORD, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Grant us, Savior, great increase—ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless us with eternal peace: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Heaven and earth are Yours; let every soul adore
and bless You evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
