Greetings to you all greatly beloved of God and welcome to another episode of our daily study of the Scriptures. We bless the name of the Lord God for the gift of life and for His benefits on us each new day. Praise be to God!
In our today’s episode 594, we shall be examining Hosea Chapter 11 titled:
Hosea Describes God’s Love Using Mother And Child Metaphors
This chapter presents a very pitiful depiction of God’s Love and care for Israel, using metaphors chiefly borrowed from the type of love a mother has towards her child.
This is indeed very relatable for many parents reading this message.
There have been many instances where a child will poo and mess up the whole environment and then the mother will pick up the baby and clean him up.
This is the picture Prophet Hosea is painting here in Chapter 11.
The people of Israel have really messed up for long and sometimes it would seem as if their case is irredeemable but then, God will always come into the scene for their rescue.
That is exactly what God has done also to every human being on earth who has in one way or the other messed up.
God has made provision for their spiritual cleansing from whatever mess they have landed themselves in either through ignorance or through delibrate actions.
Remember what prophet Isaiah says about the lawful captive in Isaiah 49:24-25
This implies even those whose fault it is to be in the situation they found themselves (lawful captives), the Bible says they shall be delivered.
Hosea 11:1-7 describes how they messed up and Hosea 11:8-12 describes God’s loving intervention to rescue them.
Why did God do this and why is God still doing that till now?
Well, the answer is not farfetched. It’s because of His Love.
It makes sense therefore to reason with John 3:16; 1John 2:2 and Romans 5:8 that the Love of God that brings Salvation is for the whole world.
And one amazing thing about this Love is that it is unconditional. It is firmly embedded in the finished work of Christ. It is God’s nature to love.
Because of this amazing Love of God, the Bible says He does not want anybody to perish but to repent and receive the entire package of God’s Love which gives absolute eternal Salvation.
That’s why Apostle Peter says:
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise. . . . Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.
However, the fact God loves the whole world does not mean He approves of sin – that people can live anyhow. Not at all. He does not condorn sins. That is why he is calling them that are still living in sin unto repentance as stated earlier by Apostle Peter.
Guess what, God will never force His love on anyone. Just like He did in the beginning by giving Adam and Eve freedom of choice, the same rule still applies to every human being on earth.
It’s a gift – a costly one for that matter and you are free to either receive or reject Him.
Whoever believes and receives Him, has Life eternal and whoever rejects Him faces eternal death.
The reason those who reject Him will face eternal death is because they have rejected Life and the absence of Life is death. It is as simple as that.
Now, tell me, which one will you choose?
As for me, I have chosen Life eternal.
To be continued…stay tuned and stay blessed.
Let’s pray as we declare this together:
I choose Life eternal. I am not a slave to sin. I am alive unto righteousness. God dwells within me by His Spirit and that’s why I cannot be defeated.
Bible Readings For Today: John Chapters 19, 20 & 21 with Psalm 142
I call you blessed now and always.
Tuesday November 17, 2020 (DDMI)