Tuesday, March 25, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Hosea 13:14–14:9

Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your destruction? Compassion is hidden from my eyes. Although he may flourish among rushes, the east wind shall come, a blast from the Lord, rising from the wilderness; and his fountain shall dry up, his spring shall be parched. It shall strip his treasury of every precious thing. Samaria shall bear her guilt, because she has rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword, their little ones shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.

Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you and return to the Lord; say to him, “Take away all guilt; accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.”

I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily, he shall strike root like the forests of Lebanon. His shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like that of Lebanon. They shall again live beneath my shadow, they shall flourish as a garden; they shall blossom like the vine, their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; your faithfulness comes from me. Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. (NRSV)

Reflection

Earlier in chapter 13, Hosea explains God is angry with Israel for continuing to put their faith in kings and idols. By turning their backs on God, they’re continuing to make the same mistakes as their ancestors.

Although these actions have consequences, God is also loving and forgiving. This passage reminds me of something my mom would say to me when I got into trouble as a child: “I don’t like what you did, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you.” That is the critical distinction — God loves us despite our mistakes. The consequences are meant to help us learn, grow, and stop making those mistakes. Unfortunately we seldom learn the lesson the first time.

This passage seems especially relevant for this moment in time when people are concerned about history repeating itself and wondering if we’ve gained knowledge from our collective past. The stakes are high for everyone if we haven’t.

When the Israelites refuse to believe that God would fulfill God’s promise when they reached the promised land, God exacts judgment on the whole people of Israel, condemning them to wander in the desert for another forty years. Not even Moses was exempt. I have to believe the same would be true today. Whatever the consequences wind up being of the decisions today’s leaders are making, there won’t be an asterisk or a footnote saying certain people are exempt because they didn’t vote for x, y, or z.

In other words, we’re all in this together in God’s eyes, even if we don’t want to be.

Prayer
God of Moses and the Israelites, in this season of Lent give me the conviction to learn from past mistakes — my own and others. Grant me the guidance, courage, wisdom, and strength to answer your call to make positive changes with that knowledge. Amen.

Written by Nicole Spirgen, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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