COV LIFE BLOG

Hosea 12 – God’s Enduring Kindness in Israel’s Stubborn Rebellion

If there is one message more frequently repeated than another in the Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testaments, it is this message requiring repentance. There has been no generation of men, nay, there has been no individual man, to whom it might not justly be said, Repent!

I. HUMAN CHARACTER AND LIFE ARE SUCH AS TO RENDER NECESSARY THIS TURNING TO GOD. One who is on the right road already has no need to turn; but he who is traveling in the wrong direction must first of all reverse his steps, his course. As sin and error have been universal, no limit can be placed to the appropriateness of the summons of the text.

II. MAN MAY FIND IN HIMSELF MANY AND SUFFICIENT REASONS FOR REPENTANCE. His interests demand, his conscience enjoins, his best feelings urge, that he should turn unto God. His present happiness and his future prospects are imperiled by his remaining estranged from his God.

III. IN GOD HIMSELF, AND IN HIS REVELATION, ARE MANY GROUNDS FOR REPENTANCE.

1. First of all there is the fact that he is our God. “Turn thou to thy God.” How just and proper, then, that, instead of looking away from him, men should look towards him!

2. It must be considered that all our happiness is bound up with his favor and fellowship. To turn to him is to turn to the light of the sun, to the source of life.

3. The Divine directions and promises furnish the most persuasive motive and the most authoritative justification for turning unto God.

J.R. Thomson

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Heart Preparation
Read Hosea 12. Despite Israel’s stubborn rebelliousness, God kindness to them was enduring and the right response, as we see in 12:6 as well as in Romans 2:4, is turning back to their God. Take some extended time to actually meditate on his kindness to you through Christ this weekend. What hinders you from repenting quickly and fully? How does God’s persistent, faithful kindness inspire you to repentance?