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"I will heal their backsliding"

Text: Hosea 14:4

A GRACIOUS RESPONSE FROM THE LORD

The LORD would exercise mercy in the most gracious way. He would show compassion again.

“I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.”
Hosea 14:4

1. “I will heal their backsliding”

a) Israel’s problem of backsliding:

i) This was severe.

ii) It was deep.

iii) It brought devastation.

b) More than forgiveness was needed.

c) The LORD would have to heal the nation.

i) The individual soul needs to be healed.

ii) The soul of the nation needs to be healed too.

2. “I will love them freely”

a) The love of the LORD was always there.

b) But there were restraints put in place.

i) God withheld the fullness of His love.

ii) Thus, the fullness of blessing was not given.

c) The promise of being loved freely:

i) Great would be the expressions of such love.

ii) His love would be expressed in rich blessings.

3. “For My anger has turned away from him”

a) God’s anger would be turned away:

i) If the people repented and return to Him.

ii) If they would forsake idols.

iii) If they would cease to have unwise and unholy alliances with foreign powers.

iv) If they were to seek the LORD in genuine faith.

b) The hope of full restoration to the LORD.

This was the hope that Hosea offered as the prophet of the LORD.