Daily Devotions

Hosea

Hosea 
Day 
Day 31

"And they shall say, 'You are my God!'"

Text: Hosea 2:23

THREE SOLEMN WORDS SPOKEN AGAINST ISRAEL

Hosea began his book with three very solemn words. These words were terrifying ones if they were to be fulfilled. The three words were also the names of his three children.

1. Jezreel Hosea 1:4

2. Lo-Ruhamah Hosea 1:6

3. Lo-Ammi Hosea 1:9

REMOVAL OF THE SOLEMN WORDS

In God’s longsuffering and mercy, He removed these solemn threats and instead offered a loving betrothal to Israel.

“Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth,
And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy;
Then I will say to those who were not My people,
‘You are My people!’
And they shall say, ‘You are my God!'”
Hosea 2:23

1. “Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth”

a) Israel need not fear bad harvests anymore.
b) God Himself will sow in the fields of the earth.
c) He will ensure that there will be grain, new wine and oil.

2. “And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy”

a) God will no longer say “Lo-Ruhamah” (“No mercy”).
b) He will grant mercy (as part of His betrothal promise).

3. “You are My people”

a) God will no longer say “Lo-Ammi” (“Not My people”).
b) He will lovingly declare Israel as “His people”.

4. “And they shall say, ‘You are my God'”

a) This response:
i) Natural
ii) Logical
iii) Expected
b) It would be unthinkable:
i) To turn away from God.
ii) To reject this betrothal.