Hosea 14 + Book Summary

God wants us to acknowledge Him with not just internally but also with our lips. Hosea prays on behalf of Israel that will accept God as the ultimate security rather than depending on foreign pagan alliances. After chastising God says He will heal Israel's backsliding, not "might heal" but that He "will heal" and when they are healed from backsliding they will turn their attention to God and throw away worthless things. God is the same in the Old Testament and He is today. Some people in Cheil are visible evidence to me that God is real and offers grace to all backgrounds and upbringings.

- grow in my reliance and study of scripture
- if accusations are true, please chastise the leaders of cornerstone. let them grow in their priority of scripture over culture

Summary

The biggest problem holding Israel back from a genuine relationship with God was their lack of knowledge. For me, this heightens the importance of theology, just how damn important it is. I've witnessed so much unintentional prosperity gospel and I don't see sanctified living from them, how can God be glorified if biblical fruit is not produced. Sincere worship cannot exist without studying theology. Trust in God cannot exist without studying theology. Loving the Lord with my heart, soul and mind cannot exist without studying theology. Scripture is the only text that comes directly from God (2 Timothy 3:16) and that is sufficient enough for us to know how to follow in His footsteps.

Rather than Hosea being a book about Israel, it seems to explore only one aspect of a bigger picture. Like the style of an arthouse film the book of Hosea is more of a character study but with God as the main character. To me He is an emotionally torn father, He's been severely wronged, justifiably angry and is going to bring severe consequences but at the same time His love overshadows what Israel deserves. "How can I give you up Ephraim?, my heart churns within me, all my compassion is aroused" ch11 v8.