Day 202 – Hosea 8-14

Talking Points

• When you sow the wind, you reap a whirlwind (8:7). While we like to make light of sin, overlooking it if we can, in God’s system of sowing and reaping, there is always a consequence for sin. In this illustration, what you reap is always greater than what you sow. Also, the whirlwind represents trouble and destruction. In Galatians, there is a similitude: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
• God’s people claimed to know Him. They even professed to worship Him. However, their lives told a different tale. The Bible says they picked leaders without considering God, took their wealth and used it to worship themselves, ignored God’s Word which they possessed, trusted other nations instead of Him, and worshiped false gods. In the daily course of their days, they had forgotten their Maker (8:14). We should take note of this description.
• Once again, the messenger is rejected because of disdain for the message he speaks. Hosea, careful to obey God, carrying His message, is called a fool.

Thoughts

How great is God’s love? How great are His compassions? As God is wickedly spurned by His people, this account shows His grace that is beyond our imagination!

Hear God’s heart as He remembers His people using the image of a beloved child — He recalls how He taught them to walk, how He took them in His arms. He fed them. When sick, He healed them. In trouble, He delivered them. And, now, when His anger burned at their rebellion, He asks, “How can I give you up? How can I surrender You?” The Creator God laments, “My heart is turned over within Me, All My compassions are kindled” (11:8).

We wonder how Hosea could ever love his unfaithful wife. How could he ever overlook her sins against him? How could he get over her rejection? Yet, motivated by his love for God, Hosea redeems her, takes her back, and leads her safely home. Grace triumphs!

So, how great is God’s love? How great are His compassions?

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8