The blessing of returning to God

The prophets to Israel and Judah revealed aspects of God that might not come through in some of the narratives of the Old Testament. Hosea was sent by God to the northern kingdom – we often call them ‘Israel’ but in the text they are referred to as ‘Ephraim’, after the major tribe in the north. We have revealed how God felt about his people.

“Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people, whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed. They practise deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets; but they do not realise that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me.” (Hosea 6:11-7:2 NIV)

God wanted his people to be return to him and he would restore their fortunes. When the northern tribes under Jeroboam broke away from the ruling tribe of Judah they immediately exchanged the worship of God for the worship of two golden calves. This was the beginning of the downfall of Ephraim. As they became more and more involved in pagan worship it affected every aspect of their lives, as God described. God wanted to heal them but their sins were blatant and they would not turn from them. When God looked at his people he saw that they were engulfed in sin – all he could see was their sin!

“They are all adulterers, burning like an oven whose fire the baker need not stir from the kneading of the dough till it rises…Ephraim mixes with the nations; Ephraim is a flat loaf not turned over…Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless – now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria…They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail on their beds. They slash themselves, appealing to their gods for grain and new wine, but they turn away from me…They do not turn to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent words. For this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt.” (Hosea 7:4-16)

Much of this could be said of too many Christians today. Adultery in our society is rampant, even among Christians. It is sad that society has so influenced God’s people that too often we don’t think anything of people divorcing their spouse because they are attracted to someone else! This is nothing new.

How often do Christians want to be like everyone else? This is what Ephraim was doing – mixing with the nations. Rather than influencing them to turn to God they were being influenced to add even more sin to their lives. Their description of being “like a dove” is so apt: “easily deceived and senseless”. That could easily be said of many Christians today.

Instead of turning to God they were worshipping false gods, appealing to images for the rain needed to have a good harvest. The pagan gods were powerless, of course, and God was the one withholding the rain. Idols did not have the power to grant what they asked for – but they refused to turn to God.

Although the majority of people today aren’t turning to idol worship, too many have rejected God. Even Christians pray less and fit God into their lives when they want him. No wonder God’s blessings can’t be seen in their lives.

What is the problem? It isn’t God now and it wasn’t God then. Ephraim had rejected God despite his wanting to bless them with what they needed. People wonder why the world is in such bad shape today. Could it be for the same reason? – people have rejected God.

The solution we need is the same as in the days of Hosea: Ephraim needed to return to God. God wants people today to come to him. Healing and all spiritual blessings are only found in Jesus.

Photo by Jon Galloway: site of the golden calf and altar in Dan, Israel.

Readings for next week: Hosea 9-14; Joel 1-3; Amos 1-4