Week 5: Lessons from the Prophets Cont’d
Day 1 – In Thee The Fatherless Find Mercy: Hosea 14:3
Post Theme: Hosea and the Fatherless
In the last blog, we started our look at the fatherless and the prophets in the book of Isaiah. Hosea was Isaiah’s contemporary. Both men prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, but Hosea’s message was to the Northern Kingdom, Israel. Hosea’s reference to the fatherless is one of the most revealing instances of the word in the books of the prophets.
In the book of Hosea, God has been pleading with His people to return to Him, time and time again. Finally, in the last chapter, Hosea begs the people to turn back. He even gives them the words they should use in their repenting:
“O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say anymore to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in THEE the fatherless findeth mercy.”
Mercy in the Book of Hosea
Mercy is a recurring theme throughout the book of Hosea. It occurs at least ten times, though the book is only fourteen chapters long.
In Hosea 1:6,7 God tells us that He is not going to have mercy on Israel. He will, however, have mercy on Judah, and He will do it in a way that brings Him glory. “But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by the bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.” (1:7)
In chapter two, Hosea declares that he will not have mercy on the children of his wife because of her whoredoms. This, of course, is a picture of the idolatry of Israel, and another reminder that God will not have mercy on them. But further down in the chapter God gives hope. Israel will be restored when God has taken “the names of Baalim out of her mouth.” At that time, He will show mercy to her that has not obtained mercy. (vs. 23)
In chapter four, God states that part of His “controversy” with Israel is the lack of truth, mercy, and knowledge of God in the land.
In chapter six, he tells them, “I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” (6:6)
In chapter twelve, God tells his people to return to Him, “Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.” Part of their return was to be a people of mercy. Why? Because He is not only a God of justice (which was being displayed very clearly at the time) but also a God of mercy.
The Power of Mercy Extended to the Fatherless
In Chapter 14, God wants the people to understand that the fatherless find mercy in HIM. Why is this so important? Look at the results of the knowledge that it is God in whom the fatherless find mercy: “Neither will we say anymore to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods, for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.”
If you needed water, where would you go—a dry well or one that is full? If you were oppressed, where would you go—to a judge who executes true judgment or to a judge whose judgment has been perverted by bribes? Like that well and that judge, God is the full, reliable source of mecy for the fatherless. The understanding that God extends mercy and true judgment is sufficient to turn Israel away from false gods made with their own hands.
In response, God would: “…heal their backsliding, I will love them freely…” (14:4)
Think about this for a moment. When the people saw that mercy came to the fatherless from God, it was enough to turn them from idols. It was proof that He was supremely God. Is His jealously in the matter any wonder? God wants the glory in this area. It is not to be given to another. The fulfillment of the command to care for the fatherless was to be living and constant proof of who was God in Israel. Beyond this, the healing of the land would continue as God healed their backsliding hearts and freely poured His love out on them.
“Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” – I Samuel 15:22
How Does This Apply Today?
Let’s bring this into today’s realm. What “gods” have we made that would draw the fatherless, the stranger, the widow, the poor and the needy away from the true God, causing them to seek mercy at the hand of one who cannot give it?
Is there a backsliding heart in our nation or churches? How might that be related to mercy?
Is there a need for repentance and returning to God in this area in America today?
Where will that repentance begin?
Up Next: Day 2: Jeremiah and the Fatherless
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