Daily Devotions
Hosea
"I drew them with gentle cords"
Text: Hosea 11:4
MOVING EXPERSSIONS OF LOVE
The LORD’s love for His people were not just expressed with words. The expressions of His love are deeply moving.
“I drew them with gentle cords,
With bands of love,
And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.
I stooped and fed them.”
Hosea 11:4
1. “I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love”
a) A tender imagery of a yoke.
i) A yoke is not often described so gently.
ii) But this one was beautiful.
b) This is a picture of a master putting a yoke on the farm animals.
i) The cords used were gentle ones.
ii) These were necessary bands that would help the farm animals learn how to bear the yoke.
c) This was a very kind and gentle master.
i) He loves the animals.
ii) He shows much kindness and gentleness.
2. “And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck”
a) Even if the yoke is a light one, it may feel very heavy at the end of the day.
b) A special time for the farm animal would be the removal of the yoke in the evening.
c) The animal would feel very relieved to have the yoke removed when the day is done.
3. “I stooped and fed them”
a) This work could have been done by a servant.
b) But instead the Master feeds the farm animals personally.
c) He provides shelter for them and feeds them.
i) He stoops to put animal feed in the troughs.
ii) He tenderly attends to them.
TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU
We are reminded of what the Lord Jesus Christ once said to the multitudes.
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30