There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 6
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth— then my judgments go forth like the sun.[Hosea 6:4]
This passage reveals both God’s mercy and justice, His passionate appeal for His beloved people, and His painful demonstration of judgment because their love is so fleeting and fickle.
But through the words of judgment, there is still resurrection hope.
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. [Hosea 6:2]
A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. [Matthew 12:39-41]
The sign of Jonah, a runaway servant of God who is both judged and restored.
The sign of Nineveh, a rebellious nation that repents when it hears God’s message and is forgiven and spared the judgment.
The sign of Jesus, a sacrificial lamb that experiences death for three days then is restored – the justice and mercy of God.
Through all of this, our part is repentance, admitting our sin and acknowledging the Lord as first in our hearts and lives.
Jonah repents, the people of Nineveh repent; both Jonah and Hosea call for repentance, and so does Jesus (as one greater than both Jonah and Hosea).
Through repentance – admitting our guilt and need for mercy and help – there is resurrection hope.
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. [Hosea 6:3]
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to go deeper into repentance than what I have so far. As I humble myself before You, I can be confident that in time – two or three days – You will restore me, You will lift me up into Your smiling presence!