Old Testament - Hosea 14
Hosea wrote this book to remind the Israelites that ours is a loving God whose loyalty to His covenant people is unwavering. In spite of Israel's continual turning to false gods, God's steadfast love is portrayed in the long-suffering husband of the unfaithful wife.
Hosea's message is also one of warning to those who would turn their backs on God's love. Through the symbolic presentation of the marriage of Hosea and Gomer, God's love for the idolatrous nation of Israel is displayed in a rich metaphor in the themes of sin, judgment, and forgiving love.
O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
HOSEA 14:1
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 of our lips.
HOSEA 14:2
Asshur 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.
HOSEA 14:3
I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely for mine anger is turned away from him.
HOSEA 14:4
I will be as the dew unto Israel he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
HOSEA 14:5
His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
HOSEA 14:6
They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
HOSEA 14:7
Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
HOSEA 14:8
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.
HOSEA 14:9