"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy" - Romans 9:16
In the final two chapters of Jonah, we discover the reason that the prophet did not want to preach the LORD’s message of judgment to Nineveh. He knew that the LORD would be merciful to Nineveh if they were to repent of their sins and Jonah did not want Israel enemies to be shown mercy. After Nineveh repents, the LORD then proceeds to teach Jonah a lesson on compassion for his enemies.
In the first half of the book of Jonah, we see the only Biblical record of a prophet refusing to proclaim the message that the LORD had given him to preach. Jonah’s rebellion did not last long because the LORD gave him time to reconsider his disobedience while in a fish’s belly at the bottom of the sea. Jonah came out of that experience with a new appreciation for God’s forgiveness and redemption.
In this conclusion to our study in Hosea, the LORD reminds Israel of the tender love and care He showed them when He brought them out of Egypt. He warns them of the consequences if they do not repent and return to Him but also extends the promise of love, compassion and prosperity if they do. Hosea ends his prophecy by contrasting the nature of those who are just and those who are transgressors.
Hosea continues listing the sins that Israel was guilty of committing and warns them of the LORD’s resulting judgment. Their sins were not only against the LORD but also against their fellow countrymen. They have forsaken Him and instead seek their guidance from pieces of wood that have been carved into idols. Their rebellion is compared to a heifer that stubbornly resists being pulled by a rope.
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