Thursday
READ: Hosea 1:6-7, 2 Chronicles 29:1-2, 2 Chronicles 32:20-23
SOAP: Hosea 1:7
For further reading: 2 Chronicles 29-32
But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the Lord their God. I will not save them by bow or by sword or by war or by horses or by horsemen. – Hosea 1:7
Hosea and Gomer´s second child was a daughter named Lo-ruhamah (Hosea 1:6–7), which means “unpitied” or “not loved.” God had loved His people and proved it in many ways, but now He would withdraw that love to the Northern kingdom of Israel and no longer show them mercy.
Warren Wiersbe says, “The expression of God’s love is certainly unconditional, but our enjoyment of that love is conditional and depends on our faith and obedience. (See Deuteronomy. 7:6–12; 2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1.)”
God would allow the Assyrians to swallow up the Northern kingdom, but He would protect the Southern kingdom of Judah (Isaiah 36—37; 2 Kings 19) for several years until it, too, would be taken into exile.
Today we can see the first glimpse of God´s mercy. The judgment over Israel was about to be fulfilled, but He still extended mercy to Judah. We have a loving and merciful God. We have a God who loves us, a God who cares for us, a God who forgives us.
Heavenly Father, I can´t thank you enough for Your mercy towards me. I didn´t deserve it. I was guilty of my sin. But you loved me and forgave me. Thank you, Father. Praised be Your Holy name. Amen.