Hosea 14 The Blessings of Repentance The final chapter of Hosea issues a blueprint on how to return/repentance to the Lord, a model of repentant prayer and the abundant blessings of such actions. The prophet admonishes Israel to return to the Lord, realizing they had stumbled because of your iniquity. Words of repentance are encouraged along with an appeal to take away all iniquity, that they be receive us graciously and offering the fruit of their lips or the sacrifices of our lips (i.e. their praise). The wealth and riches of Assyria, the cavalry of Egypt, idolatry; would not, could not be their source of deliverance or hope. The reality of His mercy captured their hearts. Gods response to their repentance included; healing, love, and abatement of anger. He would refresh them (dew), empower for perennial growth (like the lily), expansion of influence (roots like Lebanon), and protection (His branches), beautify them; release the fragrance of the Lord, return/reconciliation of the captives, productivity and growth. We also see that testimony of those who embraced the Lord and did return; a full repentance of idolatry, a recognition that the Lord would work through them. The wise understood what would happen as a result of repentance, not just then, but today as well. The ways (the mode of action, course of life) are right; and the righteous walk in them, even though transgressors will stumble over those ways. God is positioning people in these days that are fully committed to Him and His eternal purposes. Not only will these know the blessing of the Lord, but they too will be among those who declare the goodness of the Lord. That sounds like YOU!
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 12:40:42 +0000