Read Hosea 11.
God has carefully, forcefully and dramatically explained to Israel what is going to happen to them and why it will happen. No one will be able to say, "But I didn't know. No one told me." Over and over we have read of the prophets telling the people. It seems that God knows the "point of no return" is very close for Israel ... and if He does not bring the severe discipline and judgement now, all will be lost for her. So God tells them through Hosea that the time is now. Justice demands destruction. BUT ...
The tone and mood completely changes in chapter 11. God also shifts metaphors. He began the book using the picture and the real life illustration of a husband loving an unfaithful wife. In chapter 11, God chooses a different picture. He describes Himself as a father with a beloved son. Did you feel the pathos and the deep grief as you read? God is a parent whose heart is broken over the rebellion of his child. You may have been there. You may know that pain.
Two of my daughters have given birth to new sons this fall. As I watch them mother and care for those precious babies, I think about the things God said to Israel through Hosea. These new little boys don't realize right now that they would die without their moms feeding them, caring for them. They would die. They are completely helpless on their own. That's the picture. God says, "they did not realize ..."
And while justice demands destruction, it is as if we can hear God wail, "But how can I give you up?" He has a plan ... a way ... to meet justice (because He is just) and to save His people (because He loves).
We get a clear picture of God's plan from the pen of the apostle Paul. Listen to him from Romans 3: 21 - 26: (New International Translation)
"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."
God is God ... and not man. Therefore, He can be both "just and the justifier" at the same time!
Hosea did not see the details of how God would deal with what appeared to be a contradiction. Hosea was reporting the message as it was delivered to him. He did not get to see how God could be pure justice and still not permanently give over His people to destruction. But we DO get to see. We live this side of the cross. We have the privilege of seeing Jesus (God in flesh) take the destruction upon himself.
Our God ... both 'just and justifier' ... through Jesus.
Samuel Shoemaker has said: "Eternal life does not begin with death; it begins with faith." Close today's thoughts with me today in prayer ...
You are our Healer, our Deliverer, and our Provider. Because You do all things so well and so bountifully, it is easy for us to overlook Your goodness or take it for granted. Forgive us when we are careless or cavalier about your care and provision. You woo us to Yourself with kindness. If we reject Your invitation, if we resist Your call, You will not give up on us. In Your great compassion You will drive us to Yourself through adversity. We praise You, O God, that even in Your discipline You do not deal with us out of cruely, but out of love. Today ... we want to hear and respond to You ... to Your love. So today ... just as we are ... we come.
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