Where There’s Love, There’s Hope

KEY VERSE: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for mine anger is turned away from him.” —Hosea 14:4

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Hosea 11:1-4, 8; 14:1-4

THESE words from God were spoken to Israel, following a plea for them to return. “O Israel return unto the Lord thy God, for thou host fallen by thine iniquity.” (vs. 1) In the preceding chapter is a detailed account of the many and varied sinful practices in which Israel had corrupted themselves, and been turned away from God. But God, who is rich in mercy, pleads with them once again through the Prophet Hosea to recognize their fallen condition and repent. He intimates that they would be saved from the kingdom of Assyria which was threatening to destroy them, not by any change of heart in their enemy, but by the power of God which would watch over and protect them, if they would return to a recognition of him, and would not say any more to the works of their hands, “Ye are our gods.” (vs. 3) Israel ignored this plea and eventually destruction came, when the Lord’s hand did not stay the armies of the Assyrians.

Centuries later, through the Prophet Malachi, God spoke again to the subjugated remnant of that once great nation: “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Mal. 3:7) This entreaty carried with it the promise of untold blessings. “Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”—Mal. 3:10

While this opportunity to return was also ignored by most of Israel, there were a few who heeded it. And, true to the prophecy, their lives were blessed beyond measure. It was Jesus who opened the windows of heaven, from whence the blessings came. “Lo the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending … and lighting upon him.” (Matt. 3:16) Thus was signified that the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit would make known to him the plans of God concerning the kingdom of heaven which until then was a hidden, closed mystery. Jesus passed on this special revealment as a legacy to his church.

The offer of returning to the favor and blessing of the Heavenly Father was made possible by the redemption provided by our Lord Jesus upon the cross. Through his ransom sacrifice, Jesus’ followers could receive the justification that would heal their backsliding and have God’s anger turned away. And being begotten as sons of God, they could bask in the sunlight of his favor and love, even as promised in the statement of our Key Verse: “I will love them freely.” (Hos. 14:4) The hope and prospect of sharing with Christ in the glories of his kingdom, is to spiritual Israel like the refreshing dew, “I will be as the dew unto Israel,” and this shall cause them “to grow as the lily and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.” (vs. 5) Lebanon, as a symbol (meaning white mountain), in the latter verses of this chapter is associated with a description of the millennial kingdom. The Gospel Age work of selecting those who shall rule in that kingdom is described as a tree putting forth roots or foundation (accomplished by Jesus at his first advent) from which his branches shall spread like an olive tree.—vs. 6

The Apostle Paul, elaborating on the Biblical symbolism of the olive tree, describes it as being rooted in the Abrahamic promise to bless all the families of the earth. The development of the seed of blessing he likened to its branches, some of which were grafted in. (Rom. 11:17-24) Its purpose in the Millennial Age is described in Hosea’s prophecy as offering a way of returning, revival, growth, example, sustenance, protection, and everlasting life to the world of mankind who will dwell in its shade.

“They that dwell under his shadow shall return, they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine, the scent thereof shall be as the wine [teachings] of Lebanon. Ephraim [Israel—symbolic of the world of mankind in the kingdom] shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard and observed him; I am like a green fir tree [symbol of everlasting life]. From me is thy fruit found.”—Hos. 14:7,8

Hosea concludes: “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things, prudent and he shall know them.”

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