Monday - Hosea 14 - Falling and Falling Again

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SRAEL fell because of sin. Their economy, their political security, their military might, their culture and unity: all of those things were taken from them because of their sin (vs. 1). So, what was the solution? They did not need a brilliant economist as king. They did not need a master statesman who could work out compromises between hostile domestic factions. They did not need a military mind that could reorganize their army with flawless strategies. They did not need a local hero to give them a reason to come together. What they needed was to listen to their prophet, Hosea.  They needed to repent of their sins, to confess their guilt and to look to God for mercy (vs. 3). Obedience to God gives one the strength to walk on. Disobedience binds our feet together and leaves us sprawling and immobile (vs. 9).

Hosea gave the nation a solution to their problems. It was the only solution actually.  He said, "Take with you words and turn to the LORD: say unto Him, 'Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips"' (vs. 2). God's anticipatable response was declared just as plainly. He said, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely..." (vs. 4). True, they had fallen.  But it was not necessary for them to stay down.  Immeasurable blessings were available to them if they would only be willing to submit themselves to their God (vs. 5-8).  He was willing to lift them up (1^st Peter 5:6). It was not God's desire to see His people fall. And, when they fell, it was not His desire for them to stay down. He wanted them to prosper, but only in obedience (Genesis 3:22-23).