Road Warriors: Hosea—A Message of Grace - Wednesday
Psalm 107:13-14
“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. (NLT)
Welcome back! Today, we’ll jump into Hosea chapters 12 and 13.
Hosea takes time in these chapters to acknowledge that the rebellion of Israel isn’t a new thing. He calls back to the story of Jacob in Genesis when he lies and cheats his way to an inheritance that wasn’t his to have; to Israel’s rebellion while in the wilderness, detailed in the book Numbers; and to other circumstances where the Israelites behaved in unfortunately predictable ways that always led to harm.
Hosea is basically saying, Nobody is surprised that you’re rebelling again. It seems to be in your DNA that you only want to pursue corrupt things. Hosea can speak from experience, as he had been on the receiving end of treachery and knows the pain it can cause.
When I read how Hosea lays out the history of Israel for the Israelites, I’m reminded of a lot of different movie plots that revolve around the theme of conflict in a family’s history. In many movies, just the name of the family causes the populace to have a visceral reaction, or there’s one tall-tale about a family that has survived the test of time. I’m particularly reminded of the movie Holes—in this story, whenever anything goes wrong or when things don’t go as planned despite seemingly foolproof success, the family blames their “no good, dirty, rotten, pig-stealing, great-great-grandfather.” Throughout the movie (and book), the main character, Stanley, is essentially plagued by the consequences of his great-great-grandfather’s actions.
Do you ever feel like that, like you're forever doomed because of the consequences of others’ actions or reputation? Or do you feel like you could just as easily blame yourself? Based on what your family or others have done, or just on your own actions, does it seem like you’re stuck in a rut where you can’t break free? Does your identity seem to be predestined? I frequently have to remind myself that Jesus promises an identity that I could never acquire, inherit, or deserve.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Wednesday’s Reflection
From where are you finding your identity? Reflect on 1 Peter 2:9 and memorize this truth of the identity God offers you through Jesus.
