Raise your hand if Hosea is your favorite book of the Bible! I have a feeling there aren’t many hands going up. I felt the same way until recently. 

In the past, I’ve glossed over Hosea thinking, “Whatever. Those silly Israelites. Will they never learn?” But, for a short book, Hosea packs a big punch with a beautiful reminder of God’s persistent love for us. The longer God gives me on this side of heaven, the more I appreciate that type of love. Like a father has for a child. Despite our continual sin and Israel’s rebellion, God exhibits patience. Oh, he shows consequences for sin as a loving parent should, but he never gives up on the people of Israel or on us. 

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them” (Hosea 11:1-4).

Although it can be a troublesome book, give Hosea another glance and feel with me the persistent love of our amazing Father God!