Hosea 14: The Return

God's heart is for the Israelites to return to Him.  Twice in Hosea 14, God calls out through the prophet, summoning His people to Him once again.

"Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.  Take words with you and return to the Lord; say to him, 'Take away all guilt; accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips'" (vs. 1-2).  The good news of this passage is that, even though all has seemed lost for Israel at several points throughout Hosea, it is not yet too late.  There is still a chance for repentance, there is still an opportunity for return.

If Israel were to return to the Lord, the Lord promises to return to them.  "I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them" (vs. 4).  In their restored relationship, God offers to be like dew, and in return Israel will blossom like a lily, and be rooted like a forest (vs. 5).  A redeemed Israel is described as having beauty like an olive tree and fragrance (cedar?) like Lebanon, flourishing like a garden and blossoming as a vine (vs. 6-7).  As for the Lord, He will be like an evergreen cypress to His people (vs. 8).  He is the source of their well-being.

The future is laid open before Israel.  They may decide to return to the Lord or to continue walking in rebellion.  Hosea makes it clear what the godly and wise would choose.  His closing words illustrate the stark difference between living a life for God versus living a life against Him: "Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them.  For the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them" (vs. 9).