Where the Fruit is Found
The book concludes with a series of moving appeals to Yahweh’s wayward people to return to him and find healing and restoration in verses 1-8. Verse 9 is likely a parenthetical note made by the compiler of Hosea’s writings and editor of this work. It serves as a concluding call to the reader. As the path back to the Lord is set forth, Hosea articulates the steps of repentance necessary for believers in every age.
1. “Take with you words and return to the Lord” (14:2). Despite Israel’s persistent refusal to repent, the invitation to return still stands, and in verses 2–3 Hosea instructs them precisely how to approach Yahweh. What components of true repentance can you identify in the “words” he directs them to pray?
2. “Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy” (14:3). In what ways is the enslaving power of idolatry broken through repentance? What must happen within you to admit that the work of your hands is not sufficient to save you? What happens next?
3. Yahweh’s promise to heal their apostasy in verse 4 onward serves to deepen the intentions expressed in the proposed repentant prayer by Hosea. Yahweh promises also to “love them freely”. Given that Yahweh has never stopped loving his wayward people, what is meant by this divine promise?
4. Take a look at verse 8. As we noted in the introduction to this study the northern kingdom of Israel is enjoying moderate success from conquering neighbouring kingdoms. The problem was that they were spiritually bankrupt. One could say that Israel was enjoying the fruit of being“ Yahweh’s people,” but they were giving no deference to the tree it came from. What is the difference? What does it look like to actually come to the tree as opposed to just eating its fruit? How is this reflected in Hosea calling the people to repentance?
5. Expanding on question 4, what does this mean for the type of relationship Yahweh desires from his people, including us? What does that look like lived out? What can a life lived under the tree of Yahweh mean for the blessing, provision, flourishing, and fragrance he will lavish you with?
6. What other takeaways do you have from this study? What desires do you have?
Conclusion
Hosea shows us the nature of the relationship Yahweh desires with His people. From the call of the patriarchs, which Hosea recalls (12:3–6), to the establishment of the Mosaic covenant, the Lord had provided for relational intimacy and had made His loving intentions known. Israel repeatedly rejected this privileged calling, and by Hosea’s day the time for judgment had come. Yet Yahweh’s love for His people is such that His judgments ultimately work restoration rather than destruction. Even the isolation of the exile that soon followed would be a means to restoration (1:6–7; 2:14–23; 3:1–3; 5:6–6:3; 11:8–11; 12:9). For Ephraim to return to the Lord, the people must return to the house of David (3:5), and from the house of David the ultimate king for Yahweh’s people would come. Namely, that Yahweh himself would come down and dwell among them as the God-man Jesus Christ. Despite the wanderings and utter adultery of Israel, Yahweh demonstrates for us that His way is better as He rolls out a glorious future for His people, calling them back to himself.