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dichotomy is not necessarily a
disagreement or an incongruity, and it doesn't have to imply a contradiction.
It is no surprise to the diligent Bible student to see in Hosea 6 that God is
both the Judge and the Savior of Israel. There are times in Israel's history
when God has been to them as a parching heat, yet again He can be to them as
refreshing rain. God's words can bring life and hope, but they can also bring
forth death and disaster to those who resist Him and His words. During Hosea's
days, God's words to Israel were mostly judgmental and condemning, yet even in
this we can find an obvious silver lining to the storm clouds of His anger. He
was present to kill, but at the same time, He was promising a resurrection.
Hosea's prophecies
here are directed at both Israel and Judah. God could find only brief and
fleeting efforts at "goodness" in these nations. In one case (in
Hosea 6:4) God compares the righteousness of the Jews to the morning dew. While
it is always refreshing, it quickly disappears. Even this reference seems to
allude mostly to the religious rituals of these nations. They had priests and
sacrifices, but the hearts of the priests and hearts of the people were far
from God. He wasn't impressed with filled offices and completed rituals. He
looked for inward piety (vs. 6). Whether God is a slayer or a healer is up to us.
If we demonstrate true contrition and interest, then God is yet willing to
forgive, to heal, to revive and to raise. Be assured, He wants to heal. He
doesn’t relish the idea of destroying His own creation. Jesus has been slain
for us. He wants to be your healer.
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