Non Sequitur
“Therefore, see, I am alluring her, and shall lead her into the wilderness, and shall speak to her heart, Hosea 2:14 (Institute for Scripture Research)
Therefore – Israel is a mess. God sends Hosea to pronounce His verdict. Israel has become an idolatrous, disobedient nation filled with violence, abuse and perversion (sounds like other nations, doesn’t it?). Israel has not fulfilled its commission. It is not representing God’s character on earth. It looks just like every other pagan nation. There is no justification and no excuse. The verdict is in. Israel will be punished.
We expect the next thing that God says to be the sentencing. But what happens next is a complete non sequitur from a human perspective. “Therefore” (laken), says God, “I will woo Israel back to its beginnings, to the place of My refuge, to My love and concern.” What? Israel is full of prostitution, adultery, idolatry and moral failure. For this reason, God takes them back? The rationale is completely backwards. If anything, God should give up on this people and cast them away as a failed experiment. But that’s not what happens. Dearman suggests that laken should be translated “even so” in this verse just to make sense of this impossible conclusion.[1] In spite of all that Israel has done, God doesn’t give up. Punishment? Yes. Abandonment? Not a chance. God sees Israel’s debauchery for what it really is – a cry for help. He will bring chastisement because He must get Israel’s attention, but because God loves Israel, He will not walk away. Israel has divorced YHWH, but YHWH has not divorced Israel.
We have a lot to learn in the book of Hosea. First we learn some very important lessons about God’s faithfulness. He keeps His promises no matter what. That alone should be enough for us to raise a red flag when theologians begin to talk about a “new” Israel. If God doesn’t give them up after the pronouncement of Hosea, He certainly isn’t going to give them up 1,000 years later.
Second, we learn that Israel’s idolatry and disobedience is exactly like ours. We chase the Ba’als just like they did. Power, money, sex and all of its variations come wooing us. Far too often we follow them. God steps in with punishment – and love. Since He doesn’t give up, He views all disobedience as the opportunity to turn us around. The lesson from Hosea is that no matter how far we have fallen, the distance is never insurmountable. God’s wilderness is right around the corner.
Finally, we discover that punishment is the best thing for wayward children. This is not wrath (make sure you know the difference). Without punishment there is no incentive to turn (shuv), therefore punishment is a moral imperative. When God has you under His thumb, rejoice. It is a sure sign that He is not giving up on you. He intends to bring you back and you have the stripes to prove it.
Topical Index: therefore, laken, punishment, Hosea 2:14
[1] J. Andrew Dearman, The Book of Hosea, NICOT, p. 119.
“The lesson from Hosea is that no matter how far we have fallen, the distance is never insurmountable.”
“The Edge” by Brad Reynolds
I dreamed I fell
And I landed on my soul and I cried
‘till I couldn’t cry no more
But my heart can’t break
Until I heard you say, “Come with me, come and see”
CHORUS: You said, “Let’s walk out to the edge tonight
Just to see how far you’d have to fall
Before My love could not make it right
Ten times the highest mountain is still too small.”
So I looked down
But all that I could see was my sin
Just starin’ up at me
But I looked a little deeper
And much to my surprise
I saw my Savior’s eyes
CHORUS: And He said, “Let’s walk out to the edge tonight
Just to see how far you’d have to fall
Before My love could not make it right
Ten times the highest mountain is still too small.”
No distance far below or above
Could separate us from His love
So don’t you cry
His hand is never far and you’re His child
No matter where you are
Love climbed the highest mountain
to meet your deepest need
But if you have to see
CHORUS: Let’s walk out to the edge tonight
Just to see how far you’d have to fall
Before God’s love could not make it right
Ten times the highest mountain is still too small
Is still too small
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bradreynolds (preview of “The Edge”)
Hello CYndee,
I was thinking of the admonition of Paul to the church of Ephesus the other day when looking at one of the songs you posted; addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:19-20. Here is one I am sure you have seen and heard.
I’d Rather Have Jesus – The Lyrics
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand.
Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name.
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out of the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs,
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.
Thank you, CYndee and Carl, for posting all your songs. In His care.
These words give me hope: “Even so…”
G-d, the great Hunter/Lover. “I AM going to woo her, speak tenderly unto her as some translations say. This is the language of our heavenly Lover. Yes, all we like sheep have gone astray, not just Israel.
Israel has been distracted for far too long by other lovers. We know from the scriptures our G-d is a jealous G-d and one thing He desires from us is our focused attention. (Are we listening?). What will it take for us to “fix our focus?” For me, this usually involves some sort of pain (as in chastening). Oh, once I learn to listen to what G-d says and to do as He requests, life does take a turn for the better, -G-d is happy and I am blessed. Things go better when I live life His way.
Oh, I’ve had my “Gomer” moments, (as have we all) but the Lover of my soul has spoken unto me and has gently wooed me back into the safety of the sheepfold.
Yes, this is the language of a Lover. A Divine Romance between the Creator and His children. How great is the love the (prodigal) Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of G-d! (1 John 3.1)