If you’ve ever received a strong rebuke, you had multiple ways to respond. You could immediately fight back, justify yourself, and even explain why the correction was unnecessary. Or you could accept the critique as being good for your development.

In the Old Testament, Israel received many rebukes from the Lord. There were times when they justified themselves. But in Hosea, God’s people listened, accepted the discipline, and committed themselves to Him again. The prophet Hosea begins with a call to “return to the Lord” (6:1). Like a car making a U-turn, the writer encourages his listeners to make a 180-degree change to their sinful ways. He acknowledges that the Lord has “torn us to pieces” (v. 1). This is a graphic description of the strong discipline they have endured. Because they wandered so far from Him, God brought the judgments He described in the Law upon them (Deut. 27–28).

Notice that their ability to return to the Lord is based upon His character. The prophet does not say: You’ve now become good enough to come back to Him! Instead, Hosea roots his call in the fact that God loves His people and has promised to restore them. “He will heal us…he will bind up our wounds” (v. 1). Why would God do this for wicked people? So that they would be restored to live righteous lives in His presence for their own good (v. 2).

With this commitment from God to forgiveness and restoration, the prophet challenges his readers to press on to return to and acknowledge the Lord (v. 3). God has made a promise and as sure as the sun rises, He will fulfill it!

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