A Father Rejected, But Who Still Loves
by Steven Harper
Consider the sad description of Israel’s unfaithfulness, as recorded by Hosea.
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. As they called them, so they went from them; they sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to carved images” (Hosea 11:1-2). After hearing their cries under bondage, He delivered them, and how did they thank Him? By following false gods!
“I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them. 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 11:3). He was with them when they were immature and powerless, drawing them closer to Him with love, but they seemed not to know it was He who did all this.
But He would not ignore their unfaithfulness. “He shall not return to the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to repent. And the sword shall slash in his cities, devour his districts, and consume them, because of their own counsels. My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, none at all exalt Him” (Hosea 11:5-7). No, they would not go back into Egyptian bondage, but the Assyrians would rule over them; this was all because they refused to repent.
They were guilty of lying to God (Hosea 11:12; 12:1), deceitful scales and oppression (Hosea 12:7), and claimed they had no sin (Hosea 12:8). Despite all this, God still loved them!
His plea: “O Israel, return to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; take words with you, and return to the LORD” (Hosea 14:1-2).
His promise: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4).
Friends and brethren, that same God is willing to still offer His forgiveness and healing to those who have stubbornly rejected Him over and over. The only requirement is to sincerely and fully turn back to the Lord. He awaits your return.
