My heart is
changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. . . . For I am God, and not
man (Hosea 11:8,9).
Some people say God
cannot change his mind because that would imply imperfection. Hosea says that
sometimes God changes his mind precisely because he is God.
Israel deserved to
be punished: My people are determined to turn from me (v. 7). Whereas Israel, in its obstinance,
was determined to turn away from God, God in his compassion was determined to
turn toward Israel. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand
you over, Israel? (v. 8).
God invites them: Return,
Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! Take words
with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive
us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria cannot save us;
we will not mount war-horses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our
own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion” (14:1-3).
Five hundred years
earlier, Moses had written: The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate
and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin (Exodus 34:6,7).
When you’re in
trouble, do you turn to
God, or do you turn away
from God?
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Thank God for his
compassion and his determination to turn “toward” his creation.
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