0400. 393. God’s Grace to Israel

393. God’s Grace to Israel

Hos_11:1-4

Eight things are stated in Hos_11:1-4, which demonstrate God’s grace to Israel, and which are illustrations of His love to His children.

1. Loved. “When Israel was a child I loved him.” Three things ever demonstrate love: affection, sacrifice, and service. Love loves because it is love, and not because of the worthiness of its object—1Jn_4:9-10; sacrifices, because it loves—Joh_3:16; and serves, because it delights to do so—Joh_13:1.

2. Galled. “Called My son out of Egypt.” Love does not suffer the object of its affection to remain in the Egypt of bondage and the thraldom of sin, but brings it “out of” it. Salvation and liberty are the inception blessings of the Gospel.

3. Instructed. “I taught Ephraim to go” (R.V., “to walk”). The beautiful picture of a mother teaching her child to walk is suggested by these words. It teaches us to walk consistently by the truth—3Jn_1:4, consecratingly by His example—1Jn_2:6, and circumspectly by the Spirit—Eph_5:15.

4. Sustained. “I took them on my arms” (R.V.). When the child gets tired, the mother carries it; so the Lord sustained and helped His people. Who can sink through the everlasting arms?

5. Healed. “I healed them.” Three things are essential to a physician. He must know the disease, possess the remedy, and know how to deal with the patient. The Lord has all the qualifications.

6. Attracted. “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.” The metaphor seems to be of a plough being drawn by oxen, with the touch of a human, and that with bands (wreathen work) so strong that nothing could break them. The attractive power of a holy affection is magnetic, and far-reaching in its influence.

7. Liberated. “I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws.” Whatever the actual reference, there is the underlying sense of lifting something that galled, fretted, and oppressed. The yoke of sin is hard and heavy, while the Lord’s yoke is easy and light.

8. Provided. “I laid meat unto them,” or as Rotherham has it, “Holding out to him, I let him eat.” The Lord not only turns us into green pastures, but He holds dainty bits to us, even as Boaz did to Ruth—Rth_2:14.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH