Read Hosea 13:15–14:9
Questions from the Scripture text: What does Ephraim appear to be (Hosea 13:15a)? But what will come to interrupt this (verse 15b–c)? With what effect (verse 15d–e)? What will He be doing to them (verse 15f)? What is His verdict about their capital city (Hosea 13:16a)? Why (verse 16b)? What will happen to them (verse 16c)? And what, to whom, specifically (verse 16d)? And what, to whom else (verse 16e)? Whom does Hosea 14:1 address? What does it urge them to do (verse 1a)? Why (verse 1b)? What should they take with them (Hosea 14:2a–b)? What words, specifically: to take away what (verse 2d)? And to do what to them (verse 2e)? In what manner? And how will they respond (verse 2f)? What else must they say—what must they disavow (Hosea 14:3a–c)? What must they acknowledge and hope in (verse 3d)? What will the Lord do (Hosea 14:4a)? As an expression of what (verse 4b)? And result of what (verse 4c)? What will He be like to them (Hosea 14:5a)? With what results (Hosea 14:5-6c)? With what results upon whom (Hosea 14:7)? What will God’s grace produce (Hosea 14:8a, cf. Hosea 14:3c)? From where will this life and fruitfulness come (Hosea 14:8b–d)? What does Hosea 14:9 call whom to do (verse 9a–d)? What does it assert about YHWH’s ways (verse 9e)? What do the righteous do with His ways (verse 9f)? Who cannot walk in them (verse 9g)?
What is repentance? Hosea 13:15–14:9 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that repentance is a change of heart, by the grace of God, which is communicated to God, and blessed by God.
The Spirit of YHWH (Hosea 13:15c, more literally) will bring Israel under conviction of their sin (Hosea 13:15-16b), even though He will employ a severe chastening in doing so (Hosea 13:16c–d). The Spirit uses the severity of the chastening to produce the urgent response to which Israel is called in Hosea 14:1—to return to YHWH.
Take words with you (Hosea 14:2). Repentance comes with words, not as if syllables can accomplish anything, but because the Lord has created us to be communicating creatures, and we must not merely hold these things in our hearts but communicate them to Him.
Repentance seeks not just forgiveness (“take away all iniquity”), but reconciliation (“receive us graciously”), and restoration to privileges (i.e., the privilege of praise, “we will offer the sacrifices of our lips,” Hosea 14:2f”).
Repentance must reflect not mere sorrow, but a change in heart. In this case, they renounce trusting in Assyria (Hosea 14:3a) or cavalry (verse 3b, cf. Isaiah 31:1). And, especially, they renounce idolatry (Hosea 14:3c). It is God’s grace (Hosea 14:4-7) that produces this renouncing of idolatry (Hosea 14:8a). They cannot heal their own backsliding, so God will (Hosea 14:4a), because He loves them (verse 4b). God Himself will be the dew (Hosea 14:5a) that produces the thriving life of His people (Hosea 14:5-6, Hosea 14:8), and even makes them ones under whom others may thrive (Hosea 14:7).
Ultimately, Hosea, and salvation, and all of history are about one thing: God Himself (Hosea 14:9). Wisdom and prudence are bound up in knowing the Lord Himself. What is in us leads to being “not my people” and “not shown compassion.” But the solution to what is in us is what is in Him. Those made righteous by His grace walk in His ways (verse 9e–f), but apart from this grace, no one can walk in them (verse 9g).
How do you repent with words? What change in heart has been needed? What might be needed now? From where can it come? How has God refreshed you? How have you thrived by His refreshment? How are you enabling others to thrive?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us, for we have often tolerated our sin, rather than coming to You with Words that express a real change of heart. And at other times, we have come to You with words, but our lives did not reflect a true change of heart. We need You to be the dew that produces thriving spiritual life in us. Heal our backsliding, and love us freely, and turn away Your anger from us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP130 “Lord, from the Depths, to You I Cried” or TPH434 “A Debtor to Mercy Alone”
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