devotional post # 2089

Hosea 1:3-5

Hos 1:3 So he went and married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and gave birth to him a son.
Hos 1:4 And Yahveh said to him, “Name him Jezreel, because in just a little while I will punish the house of Jehu because the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.
Hos 1:5 And on that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.”

a boy and a bow

Children are blessings from the Lord, encouragements for us when we think of the future. But this child’s name spoke of a future war, failure, judgment and loss. This boy’s life was both a reminder of past failure, and a promise from God that Israel would soon lose its military strength.

God is good, and God is love, but God is also just. He cannot tolerate his people in rebellion against him.

LORD, draw us back to you; make us loyal to your name.