DAILY READING
REFLECTION
God's Hand in Judgment and Grace
By Dave Mann
Here are some helpful introductory insights drawn from the notes in the Harper Study Bible.
Hosea lived in the eighth century B.C. and was a prophet in the Northern Kingdom during the reign of Jeroboam. His ministry overlapped that of Amos, Isaiah, and Micah during an age marked by religious apostasy. Instead of putting their trust in God, the leaders of the Northern Kingdom courted the favor of Assyria and Egypt. In their religious practices, they kept the name of God, but mixed their religion with the practices of Baal worship. It was a time of gross immorality.
Sound familiar?
Seeking the approval of others who are not dedicated to the Lord.
Blending practices of biblical religion with trust in others.
Abandoning biblical truth (apostasy) for something “more modern.”
Sexual immorality is the norm.
Clearly, there are a lot of similarities between the 8th century B.C. and the 21st century A.D.
Through the same words of Hosea 6:1, the Lord called the Israelites nearly three millennia ago and us today. When we sin, we justly deserve the Lord’s correction. The Lord may punish us for our sins, which could hurt. However, when the Lord wounds, and we repent, he also heals. When we return to the Lord, he will receive us. Isaiah, who ministered to Judah (the Southern Kingdom) during the same time as Hosea ministered to Israel (the Northern Kingdom), proclaimed these words: “The Lord binds up the hurt of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow” (Isaiah 30:26).
Jeremiah (50:4), prophesying after the passing of Isaiah and Hosea, gave a similar message, foreseeing a time when the two estranged countries would repent together: “In those days and in that time, says the Lord, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come; and they shall seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, saying, ‘Come let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant which will never be forgotten.’”
When we trust in the Lord, we willingly receive his chastisement as well as his blessing. What the Lord gives us is always merciful, whether that be his punishment or his grace. We do not receive the punishment we deserve because his hand which wounds is tempered with grace.
PRAYER
Holy Lord, we recognize that what we receive from your hand in the form of chastisement is not nearly what we deserve when we ignore you and walk away in our arrogance. Father, we pray that we can fall into your hands, even if your hand brings punishment for a season, for we know that in the end, your mercy will triumph, and we will be healed by your grace, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DAVE MANN
I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.
Thanks for bringing these wise words to us.