THEY SHALL REVIVE AS THE CORN, AND GROW AS THE VINE

The verses before us today at the close of Hosea’s prophecy are full of delightful horticultural imagery, describing the future blessings which belong to the redeemed, restored and regathered nation of Israel.

The persistent sin, for which both Israel and Judah were taken into captivity, was that of idolatry. In chapter 4, the Lord says with sadness and exasperation, ‘Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone’, v. 17. Years of suffering under the hand of righ­teous justice had the desired effect and, when a remnant of the nation returned from Babylon, idols had largely been purged. That past experience foreshadowed a yet future day when Israel will declare, ‘neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods’, Hos. 14. 3, and Ephraim will say, ‘What have I to do any more with idols?’ v. 8.

Their repentance will be acknowledged by the Lord, who will, ‘heal their backsliding’ and ‘love them freely’, v. 4. Then will come those ‘times of refreshing’, Acts 3. 19, when the Lord ‘will be as the dew unto Israel’, v. 5.

The similes used to describe the nation in that day are full of beauty, particularly coming, as they do, at the end of a book which portrays Israel in its lowest state of immorality and rebel­lion! First, they are likened to the purity and perfection of the lily; then, to the stability and dignity of Lebanon’s cedars. In verse 6, there is fruitfulness and fragrance, the spreading branches indicating their association now with the True Vine.

Under His protecting hand, they will flourish as a well tended crop and as a productive vine; the one will produce bread and the other wine. So often when these are brought together in scripture, the result is blessing, cf. Gen. 14. 18, 19; Isa. 2. 4; 1 Cor. 11. 23-26; here is no exception.

The prophecy of Hosea is a remarkable tribute to the love of God for His earthly people, with longsuffering, mercy and grace in abundant measure. So often we can be just like Israel, self-willed and obstinate. May we, like them, be brought to acknowledge, ‘the ways of the Lord are right’, Hos. 14. 9.