There is a difference between compassion and concern. If a man falls off an ocean liner, we will show concern by yelling man overboard and look for help. Compassion would be at the risk of our own life; we jump in and rescue the drowning man. Compassion is much deeper than concern.
In Hosea 11 we see the compassion of God for a wayward people. The ultimate act of compassion is Jesus Christ coming to earth and dying on a cross for a wayward people. This chapter is quoted in the Gospel of Matthew as a prophecy fulfilled at the coming of Jesus Christ. There is more here than a message to the wayward people of Israel.
The message of Hosea 11 is for you and me, not only wayward Israel. We need the compassion of God. The recent chapters of Hosea have focused on God’s judgment. The family life of Hosea and his wife Gomers serve as is an illustration of how our sin breaks the heart of God. Now the focus is on God’s compassion and redemption. We get to the purpose behind God’s judgment.
God’s love in Spite of Sin vs 1-4
A father teaches his child to walk. Israel is portrayed as a child. God taught Israel to walk, but they did not follow in their Father’s footsteps. God chose Abraham. Israel’s are the chosen descendants of Abraham. That makes them the child in this referred to in these verses.
God’s desire was for his child to be like Him and glorify his name. Israel was a prodigal son. God said in verse 2 the more I called Israel the more they went away. They did not listen to the prophets calling them back to God.
God’s love for Israel is like how a parental loves their child. He has compassion for the wayward. Look at the compassion God demonstrated.
I loved him.
I taught him to walk.
I took them in My arms.
I healed them.
I led them with ties of love.
I bent down and fed them.
Contrast what Israel did.
They went from me.
They did not realize I healed them.
They refused to return to God.
God had done so much for Israel and they did not acknowledge God as the source of their blessing. Do you stop and think how much God has really blessed you? We could be guilty of the same thing as Israel if we do not realize when we love the world more than we love God and when we refuse to turn back to God.
God uses judgment for redemption. A child who is loved is punished. Verse 8 speaks of two cities, Admah and Zeboim of the plain. They were the cities destroyed when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.
Verse 8b speaks of the compassion of God. He sees the potential of a changed life. God works through a Holy Remnant to accomplish his work. He uses fallen, sinful man like me and you to do his work. In these verses Israel’s sin and God’s love are set against each other.
God’s standard is still holiness. There is no lowering His standard of moral requirement. God sees the sinner, but He is going to give up. Aren’t you glad that God does not give up on Israel? He also does not give up on us.
In verse 1 of this chapter there is a prophecy of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 2:15. Out of Egypt I called my son. After the birth of Jesus king Herrod tried to get specific information about the birth of Jesus from the Magi. After this an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream that Herrod was going to search for Jesus to kill him. Joseph was instructed to go to Egypt with Jesus. This fulfilled the prophecy of Hosea 11:1.
The story of Hosea’s marriage to Gomer is an illustration of the spiritual depravity of Israel. The book of Hosea tells the story by way of analogy of wayward Israel. This also our story of sinful depravity. All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We are sinners. We are like Israel. We are like Hosea’s unfaithful wife Gomer. God thought we are worth dying for. Jesus died for us the just for the unjust to bring us back to God.
God showed more than concern for us. He demonstrated compassion. God jumped off the ship to save a sinner. Out of Egypt I called my son. (John 3:16)
Jesus died for you the just for the unjust to bring you back to God. The ultimate act of compassion is Jesus Christ dying on the cross for a wayward people. God has not given up on you. Israel did not listen to Hosea and the prophets calling them back to God. Will you listen and put your faith in Jesus Christ?
