Hosea Chapter 14 "An Exhortation to Repentance, Promise of God's Blessings" This Bible Study is written by Roger
Christopherson, and made available with written
permission by http://www.theseason.org Hosea 14:1 "O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity." Israel's faults have caused them to fall flat on their face. When your heritage means nothing to you, God is angry with you. That is why God was angry with Esau; because Esau's heritage [God's promises to Abraham] meant nothing more than a bowl of soup. Hosea 14:2 "Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves as bullocks the offering of our lips." The only words that are of value, when you turn to God, are His words. The Hebrew idiom for "calves of our lips", is "our thanksgiving". The thanksgiving from our lips must continually go to our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord. Hosea 14:3 "Assh'-ur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy." "Assh'-ur" is the expression for "Antichrist", and here we must admit our salvation comes from our Heavenly Father. This verse refers to the entire plan of salvation, as we come to the end of this earth age. Remember God's instructions to Hosea in 1:2? Hosea was to marry a whore, so God could demonstrate to Israel that they were considered fatherless children, and that is how He would treat them. Each of the names of Hosea's children were names given as examples of what God thought of Israel, and what He was going to do with them. Go back and review the first chapter, and relate it to this verse. So we see this verse reflects a time when Israel will seek only God. They will not chase after idols or heathen religions. Israel will return to God, through His word. This time is coming. Hosea 14:4 "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him." When any person leaves their wicked forms of idolatry, regardless of their condition, and comes back to God, He is waiting to receive them. Then, God's anger is replaced with His loving forgiveness. You will find mercy with our Lord. Hosea 14:5 "I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon." God is saying, I will water you gently, with out storm. The "lilies" are the symbols for whiteness and purity; while the "root's of the cedars of Lebanon" were deep and strong. God will make you that way, when you draw your strength from His Word. Hosea 14:6 "His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon." God is using the simplicity of the cedars to show His love and protection for His people. The fresh smell of the cedar provides protection from the moths that eat up our world goods. God's loving arms will also protect His own, kindly and gently. Hosea 14:7 "They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow [blossom} as the mine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon." Are you under the shadow of God's protection? Again the evergreen is given as an example of His care for us. Hosea 14:8 "Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard [answered] him, and observed [will regard] him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found." Ephraim is becoming self-righteous now that it has found religion. However, God is answering him. God says, "I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy [your] fruit found." If you want to have true prosperity, you had better learn where the true fruit comes from. It comes from only God. God's blessings come when you grow skilled in God's word. Fill your mind with His word, and let His word be the direction for your life. Hosea 14:9 "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein." The word "prudent" means that you know how to correctly apply your knowledge and understanding. This is saying that though you slip and fall at times, if you are just, and will repent and get back on the correct path of God's Word. It is the intent of your mind, as you apply God's Scripture to your life, that counts. If your intent is as a transgressor, you will fall, and come up short. However, as we read, and study our Bibles, He will make our lives fruitful in all ways. To review; Hosea in the Hebrew tongue, means "salvation". Do you know our Lord Jesus Christ? Your only hope for salvation is through Him; for He paid the price for your sins.
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