the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Our Daily Homily - Volume 3
Hosea 3:5—Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God.
The unfaithful wife had left husband and children, and sunk into abject poverty and shameful disgrace; but Hosea is bidden to seek her again and bring her to his home. It was a wonderful act of condescending love on his part, to be willing to condone the past and take the poor stricken thing to his well-ordered dwelling. Nothing could have done it but the strong love which had followed her through all her wanderings, refusing to let her go. We cannot certainly affirm that Hosea’s love succeeded in making his Guinevere fair and lovely again; but we may cherish the hope that in this his compassionate love was recompensed.
Through the tragedy of the prophet’s domestic life, the people were called to see the mystery of the Divine faithful love. "The Lord loveth the children of Israel, though they turn unto other gods and love cakes of raisins" (Hosea 3:1, R.V.). The people in their wandering and rebellion had been unfaithful to the marriage vow plighted at Sinai. They had gone after many lovers; but God’s redeeming love would not let them go. That love still follows them; and though they have been for so many centuries without king, prince, sacrifice, or temple, they shall doubtless return to God. And is not this marvelous Zionist movement one further step towards the ultimate recognition and reunion?
You, too, have been without king or priest; without tears of penitence, or smiles of conscious acceptance. But the love of God has never ceased to follow you. And now, in your abject need, He seeks you out, and says, "Be for Me only." Will you not come back to the goodness of God in these your latter days?
