Love, given
by God, is not returned by His people. “When Israel was a child, I loved
him” (Hosea 11:1), “The more I called them, the further they went
away” (Hosea 11:2). “I was one who taught the people of Ephraim to walk.
I took them by the hand” - This is the love of God, “But they didn’t
realize that I had healed them” (Hosea 11:3) - This is the ingratitude
of God’s people. “I led them with cords of human kindness, with ropes of
love” (Hosea 11:4) - Again, we see the love of God. “They have refused
to return to Me” (Hosea 11:5) - Again, we see the people of God, turning
away from the God of their salvation. How deep is their rebellion
against God - “My people are determined to turn away from Me” (Hosea
11:7). How deep is His continuing love for them - “How can I give you
up, Ephraim?” (Hosea 11:8). What a great contrast there is between God
and man: “I am God, not a human” (Hosea 11:9). He is so much greater
than we are. His love is so much greater than our sin. The Word of God
is honest and forthright about our sin - “Ephraim surrounds Me with
deceit. Judah rebels against God” (Hosea 11:12) - but it doesn’t end
there. It speaks also about the faithfulness of God. This is the great
thought with which Hosea 12 ends. Judah’s rebellion is “against the Holy
One who is faithful” (Hosea 11:12).
“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem”, the keynote of the service was joyful thanksgiving. They gathered together “to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving” (Nehemiah 12:27). “On that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). They sang “songs of praise and thanksgiving to God” (Nehemiah 12:46). This joyful thanksgiving is only a foretaste of the greater joy and thanksgiving of heaven: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In the city of God, “the glory of God” will be shining with everlasting brightness (Revelation 21:23). The Church of God will be “prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). The beautiful picture of the godly wife in Proverbs 31 gives us an outline of what God is seeking to do in His people. It is summarized in Proverbs 31:30: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be ...
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