In this passage as we might expect, the Israelites have returned not to God but to their rebellion. Their sin is ubiquitous in these 2 chapters. And, as is always the case, sin has consequences. This portion of Hosea shows what sin leads people away from. It is wonderfully glorious and gracious that after all the Israelites have done to turn away from God, He still longs to shower them with righteousness.
The passage this week is very much a cautionary reminder that God’s judgment is real and sure! Yes, God is gracious. He never ceases to be HOLY and this holiness always has and always will include both His gracious loving-kindness, and His perfectly right justice. We will look at some of the false fortresses and the one true fortress in the message.
As the sermon title not-so-subtly alludes, this passage is quite political. But not in the way folks might assume. While it does discuss political policies that the Israelites have embraced, ultimately the text shows God to be critical of those policies. In many ways this passage is a polemic against domestic and foreign dealings that don’t defer to God and yield to His way. But that doesn’t mean God is apolitical. It would seem from this text and elsewhere that He is anything but!