Hosea entered in to a covenant marriage with
Gomer - just like God was staying true to His covenant and people. God’s love
for His people had never failed. Despite their waywardness He wanted to bring
them to the point of saying, “I will go back… for then I was better off”. In
other words they needed to come to their right minds and hearts. This is very
similar to the parable Jesus told about the Prodigal Son. When life became so
unbearable he turned his heart back to the Father. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my
father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and
go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and
against you. I am
no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired
servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But
while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with
compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. – Luke 15:17-20
What does it take for people
to come to their senses when it
comes to their need for God?
God’s
desire is to forgive. He asks all of us to turn from sin and focus on Him.
Humble and retentive hearts are required. Because
your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself
before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and
because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept
in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord.
– 2 Chronicles 34:27
What part does humility play in any
relationship? Is it necessary?
You bet - Humble yourself before the Lord and He will left you up!
