I have a confession to make. I went on a date with a wonderful man. Oh, my husband was aware of it. The man? Hosea. I went to a restaurant and immersed myself in Hoseas’ book of the Bible. Over crepes and coffee, I was able to hear about his whole life. I shared it with my server who was also intrigued. I picked up one commentary and found out it was written by one of my favorite professors in seminary. [1] In the middle of an ordinary day, I got to see into a window of a life that mattered to God and hear from a teacher all while enjoying crepes. It was a joyful experience. Stuarts commentary on Hosea is the best of all the ones I read.
The first thirteen chapters of this Biblical book, however, were ugly. You remember the story? The Lord has this precious man marry a very promiscuous woman (to put it mildly). You start really detesting her and feeling like she’s the epitome of all that’s bad and then you hear the Lord say that what really breaks his heart is when people walk away from Him – forget who He is. Ouch.
That theme will continue throughout the Old Testament into the New Testament until His son (Gods’ only begotten) will tell us how God wants to be remembered – Do THIS, in remembrance of me –so you won’t forget. That “church thing” called communion is code for “Remember I’m your creator, remember I’m your Savior, remember I’m your healer and remember I’m your soon and coming King.” It’s a love story – front to back. You, dear friend are invited to His table because He wants to be with you. Did you forget?
The story line is that God made a “berit” with His people. That means covenant. It’s an agreement of love and law to guard that love– carried out by two faithful parties. The problem was that God was faithful –but the people were anything but faithful. Stuart in his commentary points out that they treated the covenant like “dirt.” God warns them repeatedly – do not make alliances with other nations that are against me. Do not trust in idols or mighty kings to deliver you – just trust in me. But they wander, they choose thrills and shortcuts and everything and everyone under the sun to help them– except God. Yes, God is loving and faithful, but this book shows us He is also angry and jealous, with good reason.
I won’t include all the punishments and judgements here but basically all thirteen chapters of Hosea are about them. Why? God wanted their attention, their hearts. He tries in multiple ways to warn them, cajole them, redirect them. The word in Hebrew is “SHUV” which means to repent. Until repentance happens, they are still heading in the wrong direction. Just adding new behaviors won’t undo the damage done – then or now. Yikes!
But wait a minute – screech! There’s a full stop here and in chapter fourteen – the last chapter of this horrific account of Hoseas life and warnings, come some promises. Weary readers get discouraged after all the damage and judgement, but the best part is the comeback, the turnaround. I left the BEST promise out for you to discover and put some of the lesser promises on Facebook – the promise of the Lily, the Olive, and the Corn. Agricultural people would get these symbols right away. There was no internet, newspaper or cell phone to communicate. God chose visuals to demonstrate what they already understood.
The Lily – when they came back to God (collectively) they would look and smell like a FIELD of lilies, innocent, beautiful and fragrant. Previously God said they were “odious” that means bad smelling. Rotten, wicked sinners would be turned into beautiful flowers, once dormant, now blossoming. Return – this will be the result.[2]
Olives – in studying olives we learned this month that they are known for their longevity. There are trees beyond 2,000 years old today, still producing fruit. They are also known for their resilience. Frost, fire, wind and other disasters have leveled olive tree fields, and they came back up as if nothing happened. Incredible! I love comeback stories. Olives have long been known for their sacred use in oil for candles, peace offerings and ceremonies. This visual would also bring reminders of Noah and the Temple offerings. [3]
Corn / grain – Stalks of corn that grew from small seeds spring up to great heights and produce fruit that feed people and livestock. It is a picture of provision and sustenance. When God (Jehovah Jireh) brings a people back to Himself He provides for them and brings them from a “stuck place,” a “dormant place” to a place of fruitfulness. Anyone need that promise? The equation does NOT require talent, pedigree, wealth or knowing the “right people. Shuv- as Walter Kaiser, Jr. used to tell us students, means “they needed a shuv in the right direction.” That direction is Jesus, and we need Him for any change, any promise, and any comeback. It is God that causes anyone to rise from a fall- turn to Him and quickly!
I don’t know which of these visuals you need but all three would be helpful, right? It comes not just as a blessing God dumps on everyone like the Spring rain, it comes to those in right relationship with Him. It is a promise to those, no matter how sin laden, to receive. The condition for that blessing? Repent and return, first. If you have forgotten God, walked away, or tiptoed away or full on committed spiritual or physical adultery or idolatry, the way back is the same – repent, return. Then God, not effort or strength, will make you (whoever you are) white as snow and you will receive the promises of the Lily, the Olive, and the Corn.
There are other visuals in this book like the promise of dew, fresh on the ground, watering the arid places. I’ll stick to these for this blog but the whole book is packed with intense descriptions and symbols. God used every tool available to draw them to His heart. After thirteen chapters of pain and suffering, God promises them fruitfulness, reward and abundance – if they return and remain faithful to Him. These weren’t strangers, they were His chosen people, His Bride.
DON’T FORGET GOD! Remember His name, to walk with Him. That is the wise thing to do. It is the only thing to do. God did not and does not make relationship with Him difficult – return, repent and receive (Him and His blessings). He does all the work; you get all the benefit. He’s a faithful, loving, God and the only time He withdraws or is silent is when He wants to get our attention, so we don’t miss out on His fellowship or promises. Consider that – He is faithful, loving and kind. When we don’t deserve it – He is still faithful.
Saint – do you look like a lily field today? An olive tree field? A corn field?
If you don’t – return to God and He will bring you from dormancy to resiliency, from broken to blessing, from thirsty to thriving… you get the idea. Just a prayer, start with a prayer then get connected with the word and word people. Do you smell that? I pray it’s the scent of lilies.
RenaeRoche2025
[1] Stuart, Doug. Hosea / Joel. Word Commentary.
[2] www.Neubauersflowers.com accessed 3/31/25.
[3] www.Olivemypickle.com accessed 3/31/25.