Have you noticed that when passions are aroused words fly about that have a familiar ring about them? "You always…" says the angry wife. "You never…" replies the spouse! The same words come up again and again.
So with Hosea: "prostitution" comes up again and again (nine times!). He really is angry with Israel and the first prophet to compare the nation's rejection of God with that of an adulterer.
And yet there is a more powerful word – unexpected because given his vehemence you would expect all doom and gloom in Hosea. But no! Amidst all the condemnation is the constant refrain, "Return". Return to the Lord, or Return to Egypt meaning the same thing, going back to the time when Israel was going into the desert and had to rely upon God. (The word comes 10 to 18 times depending on the translation).
God is incredibly patient and his grace is infinite! I read a story once of a pastor who kept coming to God for forgiveness concerning a particular temptation he was fighting. As he prayed yet again one day, he seemed to hear God saying, "'Again', what do you mean 'again' – when I forgive you your sin it is forgotten, thrown into the sea – there is no 'again': just a clean sheet each time – and divine help". Return, Hosea says, and he speaks words of tenderness.
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!
I love that phrase: take words with you. Just as we encourage the seeker to "pray the prayer", even so we are encouraged to pray the prayer of return. If today you have been looking within your heart and found things there of which you are ashamed; if you have realised that God is not King of all of your life – it is never too late (at least in this life!) to return to our God. He will give you the power to start again.
Return!
Alan Cartwright
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