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What comes to mind when you hear the word “repentance”? My guess is that the Old Testament book of Hosea doesn’t top the list. But among the many godly prayers of repentance in Scripture ( e. g., Ezra 9: 4–15, Dan. 9: 3–19, Ps. 51 ), Hosea 14: 1–3 appears as a climax and effective concept of a authentic return to God:
Returning, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your sin. Take with you comments and returning to the LORD, say to him,” Take away all sin, take what is excellent, and we will spend with cows the pledges of our teeth. Assyria may hardly protect us, we will not drive on horses, and we will claim no more,’ Our God,’ to the function of our fingers. In you the orphan finds mercy”.
Unlike the other analytical prayers in the Old Testament, these lines outline what has been called a “liturgy of contrition” for God’s individuals. As we read this ritual, we see at least four challenges regarding true forgiveness to comfort followers with biblical desire.
1. Forgiveness Is God’s Proposal
The book of Hosea isn’t hesitant to expose the people’s sin ( 1: 2, 4: 1–3, 7: 2 ). Though replete with announcements of sin and judgment, it concludes with a climactic invitation to return for those who have” stumbled because of]their ] iniquity” ( 14: 1 ). God has no fantasies about the condition of his people, but he graciously welcomes them.
Do you see God’s compassion in this visit to gain? He doesn’t need us to wash ourselves up to earn an offer. However, the only kind of people who may appear to God are those who recognize their wickedness and hear the voice of their Savior.
If you feel burdened and weighed down by your evil now, take satisfaction. Hosea reminds you that God comforts when criminals like us draw near to him. Jesus came to call not the righteous but sinners to dwell with him ( Mark 2: 17 ).
2. Forgiveness Looks to God’s Personality
This ritual teaches us that remorseful individuals come to God on his words. The Old Testament emphasizes the need for the treatment of his women’s evil ( Lev. 16: 21–22 ). More specifically, the appeal for God to “take away ]nśʾ ] all iniquity” ( Hos. 14: 2 ) draws upon God’s very character as revealed in Scripture:” a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving]nśʾ ] iniquity and transgression and sin” ( Ex. 34: 6–7 ).
The only kind of persons who may come to God are those who recognize their wickedness and hear the voice of their Savior.
God’s response to the confession additional reinforces who he is:” I may heal their infidelity, I will love them easily. For my anger will have turned from him” ( Hos. 14: 4, my trans. ). God is the doctor and life-giver ( Ex. 15: 26, Deut. 32: 39 ), he’s sovereignly free ( Ps. 115: 3 ), and he can and does transform the internal spiritual state of his restored people ( Hos. 2: 17, 19–20, Ezek. 36: 26–27 ).
Before anything else, forgiveness is about agreeing with God about who he is, who we are, and how we can get restored to a proper relationship with him.
3. Forgiveness Is Comprehensive and Communal
The ritual demonstrates the extensive scope of authentic repentance. In Hosea 14: 3, the apostle commands Israel to move away from every aspect of their original idolatry.
They must renounce their external political idolatry (” Assyria shall not save us”, see 5: 13, 7: 11, 8: 9, 12: 1 ), their trust in their own military prowess and security (” We will not ride on horses”, see 8: 14, 10: 13, Isa. 31: 1, Ps. 33: 17 ), and their worship that violates the Creator-creature distinction (” We will say no more,’ Our God,’ to the work of our hands”, see Hos. 8: 4–6, 13: 2 ). By renouncing every former object of misplaced trust, the people acknowledge that apart from their God’s fatherhood, they’d be like orphans without hope.
True repentance isn’t satisfied with generalities but names the specific sins in our lives that Christ nailed to the cross. This repentance extends beyond a singular moment of confession. As Martin Luther said in the opening of his Ninety-five Theses,” The entire life of believers ]should ] be a life of repentance”. Hosea’s liturgy puts flesh on the bones of the prayer Jesus taught us:” Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us” ( Luke 11: 4).
True repentance isn’t satisfied with generalities but names the specific sins in our lives that Christ nailed to the cross.
If we truly repent, it’ll affect our relationships with those around us ( 1 John 1: 7 ). Sinners rightly reconciled to God can confess their sins to one another in community and be healed ( James 5: 16 ). A right relationship produces the kind of humility that seeks peace with our neighbors ( Matt. 5: 23–24, Rom. 12: 18 ). Repentance unto salvation fosters a life characterized by ongoing repentance, both private and public.
4. Repentance and the Family of God
At its heart, the book of Hosea reveals the stunning transformation of God’s household. Those once declared “not]God’s ] people” are dramatically renamed” children of the living God” ( Hos. 1: 10, see 2: 23, Rom. 9: 25–26 ). This transformation is realized through repentance.
As those made wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ ( 2 Tim. 3: 15 ), all who formerly stumbled over the righteous ways of God are invited to walk in the way of Christ ( Hos. 14: 9, John 14: 6), the messianic King ( Hos. 1: 11, 3: 5, 14: 7 ). And through this divine gift of repentance, those who were spiritual orphans find not just temporary shelter but permanent belonging in the forever family of God ( John 14: 18 ).
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Originally sourced via trusted media partner. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/gospel-truths-repentance-hosea/
