Return and Be Healed
[ READ ] Hosea 12–14
14 I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol;
I shall redeem them from Death.
O Death, where are your plagues?
O Sheol, where is your sting?
Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
Hosea 6:1-11
I shall redeem them from Death.
O Death, where are your plagues?
O Sheol, where is your sting?
Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
Hosea 6:1-11
This passage is both full of judgment and hope. Hosea uses the Exodus story to give background to God and Israel’s relationship and why they should expect both judgment and future restoration. To briefly summarize: Israel has turned away from God, and there is judgment coming. This judgment finds its logic in the fact that God is the one who rescued Israel from Egypt. Afterwards, they pledged themselves to be his people. As a result, it is God alone who has the right to Israel’s allegiance, but they have forgotten him and turned to serve other gods. As a result, there is injustice and evil living in their midst. Now God will destroy them. But there is a day that is coming when God will ransom his people from death itself and heal their hearts. They will no longer go after vain idols but serve and love the Lord.
What Hosea is describing is a new exodus. A time where God actively works to bring life to his people, redeeming them from an oppressive power that has ownership of them. The very idea of redemption carries with it the idea of a transfer of ownership. The Israelites were owned by Pharaoh, but God took them, brought them to himself, and made them his own. A redemption from death, as described in chapter 13, verse 14, would imply that they are owned by death and need a new passover and new exodus out of death and into new life.
This brings us to Jesus, who specifically picked up the Passover and redemption language when describing his mission here on earth. We are invited to join him in an exodus from death since he has made a way out of being owned by death through his own death as the passover lamb. The world is passing away and is even under judgment, but there is an opportunity to paint the blood of the lamb over the doorpost of our lives, follow God out of slavery, become his people, and set course for the promised land. We are living in the days of the new exodus.
- John Barzal
What Hosea is describing is a new exodus. A time where God actively works to bring life to his people, redeeming them from an oppressive power that has ownership of them. The very idea of redemption carries with it the idea of a transfer of ownership. The Israelites were owned by Pharaoh, but God took them, brought them to himself, and made them his own. A redemption from death, as described in chapter 13, verse 14, would imply that they are owned by death and need a new passover and new exodus out of death and into new life.
This brings us to Jesus, who specifically picked up the Passover and redemption language when describing his mission here on earth. We are invited to join him in an exodus from death since he has made a way out of being owned by death through his own death as the passover lamb. The world is passing away and is even under judgment, but there is an opportunity to paint the blood of the lamb over the doorpost of our lives, follow God out of slavery, become his people, and set course for the promised land. We are living in the days of the new exodus.
- John Barzal
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect:
+ Can you summarize this passage in your own words?
+ What is Hosea saying to his audience?
+ What is the meaning of redemption? Why is it key to understanding the biblical story?
+ What are the different images that Hosea uses to convey his message? What are their significances?
+ Can you summarize this passage in your own words?
+ What is Hosea saying to his audience?
+ What is the meaning of redemption? Why is it key to understanding the biblical story?
+ What are the different images that Hosea uses to convey his message? What are their significances?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life:
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ The exodus story forms a core identity for the Israelites in the Old Testament and for the people of God more broadly. How can you begin to live within the narrative of the exodus?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ The exodus story forms a core identity for the Israelites in the Old Testament and for the people of God more broadly. How can you begin to live within the narrative of the exodus?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.churchcenter.com/groups)
+ What is my next step?
+ Who would benefit from hearing that God is in the business of redeeming people from death?
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.churchcenter.com/groups)
+ What is my next step?
+ Who would benefit from hearing that God is in the business of redeeming people from death?
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