Hosea 2:14-23

To bring Israel back to Himself, and to bring her into a true relationship, God first allows Israel to experience the result of her trusting her lovers to meet her needs rather than her Husband.  But in time, the time called in that day (e.g. 2:16), God will reach out to His estranged wife and seek to win her to Himself.  It is an amazing love story.

·        2:14-23: Israel is restored.  It will be clear that, as we noted in 1:10-2:1, this restoration is still future, although quite likely the beginnings of God’s work to restore Israel are happening before our eyes.

o   2:14-15: God will allure her.  This is the term used of a young man wooing a young women.  But here it is of the LORD, the Husband who has been rejected by His wife of harlotry.  Note two things.

§  He will bring her into the wilderness.  In Rev. 12:13-17 this is what it says about God’s protection and salvation of Israel in the future time when Satan seeks to destroy her.  God protects her in the wilderness.

§  The Valley of Achor was the place where Israel had gathered after the walls of Jericho fell when they first entered the land.  It is the place where Achan and his family were stoned for violating God’s command.  This valley will become a door of hope for Israel.

o   2:16-18: In that day Israel will come to have a true relationship with the LORD.  In other words, it is the time of the New Covenant, the outpouring of the Spirit on Israel.  She will know God and will forget her lovers.  God will then be her Husband, providing protection for her.

o   2:19-20: The key word here, of course, is betrothed.  This speaks of the covenant between a man and woman to become husband and wife.  We might call it engagement except that in Israelite culture it was a done deal.   Thus it speaks of God’s New Covenant with Israel (Jer. 31:31-34).

o   2:21-23: Again, in that day the illustration of the three children will be complete.  Jezreel means God sows.  In that day God will sow Israel for Himself, planting her in the land.  God will have mercy on Israel who had seen no mercy.  If you think of the terrible holocaust in the 1930-1940’s you can understand no mercy.  But that will all change in that day.  And the relationship between God and Israel will finally be what God desires.  The peace, joy and righteousness of God will be Israel’s full experience.

As we often sing, what a day that will be!  God’s faithfulness to Israel will be the most profound message for the world that they might know God.  When Israel is restored, not just physically (in the land) but spiritually, then the world will know the greatness of the love of God!  And, as Hosea 3 will show us, the cross of Christ will be at the center of that love.