for I am God and not a man,
the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. "
Hosea 11:9
So Hosea.. It's a really interesting and crazy book. God's prophet to Israel lives out a testimony of God's faithfulness to the unfaithful and of ultimately His mercy&goodness to those who don't deserve it.
I often wonder about how Hosea processed all this. If he had blog what/how would he even begin to share the life God called him to?
This book cycles over and over Israel's offense against God and God's justice&mercy toward them.
It's intense. They get compared to a bad vine, and burnt cake and a prostitute on many occasions.
This verse stuck out to me today-
"for I am God and not a man"
How can God forgive them for this?
That's what I am tempted to think sometimes going through Judges or any of the prophets really.
But I am reminded here in the OT of something that echoes even greater in the NT!
God is not a man. He is far above us. He does not operate in an earthly, temporal mind. His heart is not fickle, nor does He ever disappoint.
In fact, as I read through Ephesians and I look at His role as Redeemer in my life. As the one who has made me ALIVE and loved me while I was still a sinner- its not that far off from the picture of Israel that we see in Hosea.
But God who is rich in mercy, sent Christ and because of Christ's endured sufferings, fulfilling death,and powerful resurrection..God REFUSES to hold my sin against me. Whaaaaaaat?
This is forgiveness. It's the same God I see suffering long with Israel and Ephraim in Hosea.
Not I only does He refuse to hold it against me, but He empowers believers to also be a forgiving people.
Something that is very humbling, completely amazing and worth rejoicing over is being forgiven by God and being forgiven by godly people.
While I would prefer to never fail, sin, disappoint or offend anyone I am learning to rejoice in forgiveness and to love it through and through.
It's good to be forgiven!
It's good to be His child!
It's good to know God and get to know His goodness on the daily.
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