BIBLE TEXT ​ |​ 14:1-3 ______

1 Return, O , to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. 2 Take with you words

and return to the Lord; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows

of our lips. 3 ​ 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.”

DEVOTIONAL FOR HOSEA 14:1-3

______AUTHOR: MIKE LAUGHLIN

The last chapter of Hosea takes a different approach than the previous chapters that are made up of reproofs for sin and threatening of wrath. This chapter begins with one last plea from Hosea to the people of Israel to return to the Lord and repent for their iniquities. Each and every one of us “stumble” or sin because of our own self-centered ways or iniquities. The says in Ecclesiastes 7:20, "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins". Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".

The plea from Hosea to the people of Israel to return from their wicked ways reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. The parable begins with the younger of two sons asking his father for his share of the estate. The father executes the son's request by dividing the estate between the two sons and giving the youngest son his portion. The younger son packs all his belongings and leaves his father's house to live in a distant country. During his time in this distant country, the son squanders all that his father had given him in reckless living and self-centered ways. Does this remind you of anyone? How about the people of Israel, and how the Lord provided for them time and time again but because of their ways they lost it or had it taken away?

In the parable, the son became so desperate he took a job feeding pigs and longed to be fed the pods the pigs ate. The son came to his senses and realized his father's servants were better off then him and had more than enough bread to share. He could return home and not have to perish with hunger. The son decided to return home to his father and repent of his self-centered ways of living. The son returned home to his father and said, "Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you". The father welcomed his son with open arms forgiving him and showing him mercy (Matthew 6:14-15).

Similar to the way the prodigal son repented and returned home, Hosea pleaded with the Israelites to come to their senses, return to the Lord, and repent from their ways. Not only did Hosea plea with the Israelites, he tells them exactly what they need to do to seek forgiveness. Hosea 14:2: "Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, 'Take away all iniquities". To receive forgiveness you have to take action. You have to acknowledge your sin and repent by turning to God. 1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness".

Questions:

1. Have you moved to a distant place away from God, Do you need to be like the prodigal son or the Israelites and return to your Heavenly Father, repenting for your ways?

2. In what ways have you squandered the things your Heavenly Father has given you, such as your talents, time or treasures?

3. Do you need to be like the father of the prodigal son and show forgiveness and mercy to someone that has done you wrong? (Colossians 3:13)