Passage Read: Daniel 12 - Hosea 3
Meditation Verses: Hosea 2:13-15
Thought
How can the Lord do this? How can He punish and rebuke His people, then turn and allure them, speak tenderly to them and restore to them all His many gifts? He was jealous and angry and let her go her evil way. Then walled her in, trapped her, until she couldn't reach her former lovers, and only then did she think to return to Him, when there was nowhere else to go. He's not even her first choice! She thinks of Him only because she remembers His gifts and how He provided for her, and she's currently destitute! And the Lord will speak tenderly to her and restore all His provision and gifts? How is He still so compassionate when it doesn't even look like she's truly repented?
Application
The next chapter seems to fill in some of the gaps, at least in terms of Israel. They will return to him, trembling and seek Him and His blessings. They will come trembling because they know their evil deeds, because they are ashamed. It is obvious to all and to her. And she can't believe His kindness and compassion toward her. She knows she doesn't deserve it; she's knows it should be withdrawn and she should forever be cast out. It will take her time to find rest in His faithfulness, because she knows her own unfaithfulness. She cannot believe her good fortune and His compassion. There is repentance and shame and even unbelief at His goodness. The Lord is amazing in His single-minded devotion and dedication to His people. Even in all the wrath He poured out on her, that was not His endgame. He always sought for their return. He wouldn't seek another bride, one who would be faithful, but He determined to restore Israel to Himself as a broken and contrite bride who would then be faithful. It is hard for me to see past the unfaithfulness and need for discipline; it is hard for me to see past the betrayal and rejection, to believe it is even possible that there could be repentance and restoration. How much time must pass? How long until they find themselves trapped with nowhere to go? Will I then be able to reach out and offer grace and welcome, even without an expression of remorse on their part? Will I have compassion on them in their dire straits? Am I really driven by longing for their righteousness or just revenge? God, help me care more for them than for my justification.