Tuesday: A Promise of Restoration
Read Hosea 2.
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What is God’s basic message to His people here? How is the gospel revealed in this chapter?
Hosea’s message presents the profound truth of God’s steadfast love for an undeserving people. Hosea 2 contains a lengthy speech by the Lord about Israel’s apostasy, which is then contrasted with God’s unfailing love for His people. After the punishment, the husband will lead the wife on a trip to the wilderness, where they will be remarried.
Thus, the chapter ends with a portrayal of a future time beyond the judgment when God will woo Israel to love Him as before (Hos. 2:12-15). The wild animals of the field will no longer devour the wife’s vines and fig trees, but will become partners in the new covenant (Hos. 2:18). In addition, all the children will be renamed, revealing again God’s willingness to heal and forgive the past transgressions of His people.
God freely offers to pardon our sins. How much does forgiveness cost God? What was the personal cost of this lesson to Hosea? Hos. 3:1-2.
Growing up as a male in Israel, Hosea was destined to enjoy a privileged status in that patriarchal society. But this privilege came with a great responsibility. A man in ancient Israel would have had to make a tremendous effort to forgive and take back an unfaithful wife, not to mention accept as his own the children who may have been fathered by another man. To stand by his wife and her children and, thus, endure social rejection would have to have been one of the most difficult of life’s experiences.
Hosea, however, “bought” her back. God, in a sense, did the same thing for the human race, but the cost was the death of Jesus on the cross. Only by looking at the Cross, then, can we get a much clearer picture of what it cost God to buy us back from the ruin that sin has caused.
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grace is something that we could not afford by our own righteousness. sinner save by grace. Amazing grace how sweet the sound. The promise of restoration is for each one of us. Thank you Jesus for the story of Gomer. There is hope for every sinner. God's love is a wonderous love.
A story that inspires hope. It has taken me many years as an sda Christian to understand at a deeper level that the only hope I have is in the initiative God offers through Jesus Christ. No room for pride as there is nothing to base it on. Only when I focus on Christ do I have any type of assurance. Wish I got it sooner!
I understand what you mean-the depth that you have brought up has been the same for me. I understood at a lower level, but had no idea that it went deeper. Throughout my years I have always found the truths that I know get stronger as my walk with Jesus gets stronger. These things are always a marvel to me and I'm glad I get to learn more and more. I am grateful to God for giving us access to Him throught Jesus, and for the ever expanding knowledge He gives us.
God is an amazing God, who uses human beings to teach us His plan of salvation. He has portrayed His love for us fallen men through the life of Hosea. Now I can understand what a loss Jesus suffered when He left heaven to take our nature. Just as Hosea lost his privilege of being a male in his community by marrying a women of bad character all for love. Praise God for his unconditional love for us sinners. Praise to to Him.
I need to go over and over in my mind regarding God's mercy. Joseph and Shaun, I also am very thankful for the story of Hosea and Gomer. I need a continual reminder of just what God's mercy really is and does. Having our lesson study on this theme is wonderful.
The human mind can never fully understand the love of GOD but praise be to GOD for every chapter in the BIBLE that highlights GOD's character to us. This story is 1 of many stories in the BIBLE that reveals GOD's unconditional love.
My sin costed so much that I could not even pay for it, Gods unconditional love through his son Jesus Christ paid and borer my sin at Calvary. I praise God for that amazing grace! Just like for Hosea God is reminding us that he requires a humble & a contrite spirit to receive his Grace. Amen!
Praise the Lord for his mercy and grace. No one can love us like he does. Let us not take his love for granted.
It took me a long time to experience God's unconditional love. Praise His name, He's taught me how to experience that love. Let's pray for one another that we shall remain faithful to Him.
I wonder why GOD chose Hosea to suffer for Israel's sake. Or maybe I don't understand the story, please help.