+DEV+ The Lord Speaks To His Beloved

Date: September 16, 2015 10:13 PM

Topic: +DEV+  The Lord Speaks To His Beloved

The Lord Speaks To His Beloved

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her ...the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there..." Hosea 2:14-15, KJV

Scripture Focus: Joshua 7:1-26, Hosea 2:1-23

This "behold" certainly gives us pause. Outraged with Israel who has backslidden grievously and worshipped idols, God now says to His people through the prophet Hosea, "Therefore..." We might expect Him to follow with, "I will cut her off completely." But astoundingly, the Lord speaks to His beloved ones in one of the greatest outpourings of love to His people in the whole Bible! 

He will be gracious to her like a lover and "allure her" into the wilderness where nothing distracts her. There He utters loving words to His wayward people, "speaking home into the heart" (Hebrew for "comfortably"). 

He promises to make the valley of Achor the "Door of Hope." Achor is where Achan, incurring the wrath of the Lord for disobedience, was stoned to death. The Lord is saying that He will take their punishment and assure them of redemption. 

The metaphors and pictures throughout the Bible speak volumes to our hearts, too, centuries after the days of Hosea. Your Savior is calling you to redemption and hope as well.

Insight: Jesus has been "stoned to death" for us on the cross, our door of hope despite our idolatry and backsliding. Let us sing in gratitude!

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

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