All that we know of Hosea is in this book we're wrapping up today. There's no other mention of his name in Scripture, but you've come to know him quite well. You've also come to know the redemptive love of your Savior quite well, too.

The period in which Hosea ministered was the most turbulent and trying time in the history of Israel, before captivity (when Nebacchadnezzar comes in, and most folks are hauled off to Babylon). We can relate to turbulence right now given all the tragedy with COVID-19, can't we?

Hosea's primary concern was simple: the people were worshipping idols (Baal, in particular). The Israelites were an agrarian society, which meant rainfall, fertility, and productivity were essential for livelihood. Baal was the weather-god worshiped in this particular region and was of unrivaled importance. We talked about this Baal worshipping last week with the "kiss calf-idols" verse (Hosea 13:2).

It's a dark place now, just as it was in Hosea's time, and while we've re-labeled sin over the years, sin is sin. There are countless abortions, a form of human sacrifice. Cutting, suicide rates, human trafficking, and the like are not far behind.

ALL WE'VE DONE WITH SIN IS RE-LABEL IT.

Hosea's perspective (which is congruent with scripture throughout the Bible) is that we are the Bride of Christ. We have union with Him and spiritually unite with Him when we choose to believe.

"I AM JEALOUS FOR YOU WITH A GODLY JEALOUSY. I PROMISED YOU TO ONE HUSBAND, TO CHRIST, SO THAT I MIGHT PRESENT YOU AS A PURE VIRGIN TO HIM." — 2 CORINTHIANS 11:2

It's essential to name the sin in your life. We can try to soften the language, but when we label the sin, God can redeem it. Before we get too self-righteous, remember that the reason we can name other people's sin is that it is familiar to us. Let that simmer for a moment.

IT'S ESSENTIAL TO NAME THE SIN IN YOUR LIFE.

The role of the prophet Hosea was to proclaim the Lord's coming judgments "with a litany of offenses that amount to the radical ingratitude of a wayward wife" (ESV Study Bible).

As we close out Hosea, we walk into the chapter knowing that we can choose to be wayward no longer. We may have started out unfaithful, but in chapter 1, we learned we needed a name change. I pray that you look back and review that first chapter to reflect and remember God's redemptive love. In chapter 14, He ends the book with a cry to come to Him. To return. To be humbled and chose to live for Him. Let us respond with a hearty, "Yes!"

1 Return, Israel, to the Lord your God.

Your sins have been your downfall!

2 Take words with you

and return to the Lord.

Say to him:

"Forgive all our sins

and receive us graciously,

that we may offer the fruit of our lips.

3 Assyria cannot save us;

we will not mount warhorses.

We will never again say 'Our gods'

to what our own hands have made,

for in you the fatherless find compassion."

Hosea makes the path of redemption clear. It's not a sacred secret, friends...it is an open invitation. "Return. Ask forgiveness. Receive." Let's break that down:
- Return. Return means to "come back." Remember Naomi in the book of Ruth? She had left God's land, lost her husband and sons, and then returned back to God's land and was filled (Ruth 4).
- Ask forgiveness. James 5:16 says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." There is healing in confessing your sins to God, and to others. It is humbling and reinforces accountability when we confide in godly guardrails.
- Receive. This is the easiest to say and the hardest to do. You know what keeps us from receiving the grace of God in our hearts? Pride. When we think we've sinned more than others or when we believe we are not good enough to receive His grace, it’s a root of pride. In essence, we're saying, "What I think is greater than what God did." And, that, my friends, is places ourselves above God. Idolatry is a sneaky thing, which is why Hosea was so bent on calling out the sin and encouraging the people to ask forgiveness and receive. Both require humility!

4 "I will heal their waywardness

and love them freely,

for my anger has turned away from them.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel;

he will blossom like a lily.

Like a cedar of Lebanon

he will send down his roots;

6 his young shoots will grow.

His splendor will be like an olive tree,

his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.

7 People will dwell again in his shade;

they will flourish like the grain,

they will blossom like the vine—

Israel's fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

These verses are so beautiful. Reread them and note verse 4: "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely..." You are wayward no more. He loves you freely and without restraint. He is refreshing and will cause your life to blossom and grow. Return to Him. Ask forgiveness. Receive.

8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?

I will answer him and care for him.

I am like a flourishing juniper;

your fruitfulness comes from me."

9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things.

Who is discerning? Let them understand.

The ways of the Lord are right;

the righteous walk in them,

but the rebellious stumble in them.

"Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand." Oh Lord, give me wisdom, I pray! Help me to realize that the ways of the Lord are right. Teach me to walk in them. I want to be wayward no longer, Father.

As we conclude, here are a couple of nudges to reflect on in conversation with God. I tag on the italicized prepositional phrase at the end because "self-reflection" can be dangerous (and I'm totally guilty of it). I'm learning to not turn inward for the answer (i.e., sifting through the rubbage myself) but instead to turn outward (i.e., looking into the face of Jesus so I can be transformed out of the rubbage). It's a subtle linguistic tweak, but it's intentional.

So, let's grab a journal, a pen, and sit quietly for a moment to talk with God about what we learned from Hosea. I've provided some promptings should you need a kick-start:

Lord, help me to see. It's so easy for me to recognize sin in other's people's lives, but I realize that I see it because it is familiar. I see it because it is me. I ask that you would grant me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17) so I can see Your desire to heal my waywardness. Show me my sin so that I can come to repentance and live in purposeful intimacy with You.
God Almighty, as I leaf through my Bible and journal, I am prompted of what all You taught me in this season. I return to You. I cling to you. I want to receive your full spiritual blessing. Humble my heart so that no pride dwells in me. Abide in me. Dwell in me. I count all the countless ways You have blessed me _________________.

Amen, beloved. Amen.