Mercy

The book of Hosea opens with a story of rejection. In spite of all God had done for His people, they had been unfaithful to Him. He compared their unfaithfulness to a wife who had abandoned her husband for another man.

More than just disappointing God, these were actions of rebellion and defiance. His people were acknowledging that they did not really care about Him. Forgetting all that He had done, they simply had rejected Him.

God knew their actions. He knew that they had embraced other gods. Using the prophet Hosea as an example, He said, “I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel, that I would ever forgive them.” He would conclude, “you are not My people and I am not your God.”

Yet here, as throughout this book, the message of Hosea, ultimately, was not about judgment but God’s mercy. In spite of their rejection, He would continue to love them, ever ready to welcome them back if they returned to Him.

Eventually, He even would bless them abundantly. They would “be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered.” And it would be said of them that “You are the sons of the living God.” Even His people would be united in their renewed commitment to God, all “gathered together.”

Hosea reminds us of God’s compassion for us. If we are unfaithful, we will experience the consequences. But like a husband who loved his unfaithful wife, He acts to woo us back. Even when we are unfaithful, He continues to love us. To show us His mercy and compassion. Ever ready to bless us abundantly.