Scripture

“But I will show love to the people of Judah. I will free them from their enemies– not with weapons and armies nor horses and charioteers, but by my power as the Lord their God.”

Observation

The Lord tells Hosea to go and marry a prostitute. This will illustrate Israel’s unfaithfulness to the Lord.

His wife Gomer bears three children named Jezreel, Lo-ruhana (“Not loved”), and Lo-ammi (“Not my people”).

God will not show love to Israel, but He will favour Judah. Yet, the time will come when He unites the two nations under one leader.

Application

While preaching a mixed message to God’s people, Hosea does offer God’s blessing on the people of Judah. The Lord will free them from their enemies, but not by military might. Instead, He will set them free under His own mighty power.

The Lord does not require the weapons and methods of the world to achieve His purposes. He does use political and military methods at times, but He does not have to rely on them.

The important thing is that we look to the Lord to rescue us and not to human strength. Paul says in 1 Corinthians, “the weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh.”

When we face spiritual battles, impossible battles, it is the Lord we trust, not merely our own limited resources.

When we try to make things happen out of our own abilities, then disaster will follow. When we commit our ways to the Lord, and trust Him to bring the victory, then we will see miracles happen.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for your great love. I thank you that when you fight for me using your strength, then the victory will come. Amen.