Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Jul 16 2019 - Hosea 11:1-11 – God's love

In today's reading, God speaks of his great love for his people, love like that of a parent for a young child. He recalls how he has shown his love for them, bringing them out of slavery in Egypt (v.1). He had taught Ephraim to walk (v.3) – "Ephraim" is another name for the northern kingdom of Israel. Like a parent with a toddler, God speaks of himself as taking them by the arms to encourage them to walk along with him. He "led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love" (v.4), and was like a parent "who lifts a little child to the cheek, and … bent down to feed them." It is a touching and moving picture of the deep love and tender feeling of a parent for a child.

But many families have known the pain of children who have rebelled against their love – perhaps in their teenage years. They have been determined to go their own way despite the warnings and pleas of their parents. Such rebellion, often damaging the life of the rebellious child, brings untold pain to the heart of the parents who love them still and yearn for them to return to the love of their parents.

And this is how God feels about rebellious Israel. They had turned from the God who loved them and healed them – put plasters on their wounds and kissed them better – to worship Baals and burn incense to idols (v.2). It is as if those whom he redeemed from Egypt are determined to take themselves back into slavery (v.5); they are determined to break away from the one who loves them (v.7). Assyria will now rule over them as Egypt had oppressed them many years before.

In verses 8 and following, God speaks of his great love for his rebellious people, a love which will not allow him to let them go; "How can I let you go?" God asks. In Amos, God spoke of himself as roaring like a lion as he comes in judgment upon Israel. Here in Hosea, the Lord is again spoken of as a roaring lion, but this time he is a lion coming to seek out his lost children. He will rescue them again from those who threaten them and will settle them again in their homes. The roar of the lion is terrifying to those who are his prey but is the passionate love-call that summons his children to return to his care.

Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 with reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. When Herod sought to kill all of the baby boys in Bethlehem so that he might destroy the Christ-child, an angel told Joseph to take his wife, Mary, and the baby Jesus down into Egypt for their safety. After the death of Herod, Joseph is told that it is safe to return, so he and his family leave Egypt for Nazareth in Galilee. Matthew tells us that this was to fulfil "what was said through the prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called my son.'" (Matthew 2:15).

The Lord brought back his Son, Jesus, safely from Egypt as he had rescued Israel from Egypt many centuries before. He did this not only in love for his Son but out of love for us; he purposed to redeem us through his Son from a slavery greater than Israel suffered in Egypt. As we read of God's love for his people in Hosea 11 we read also of the great love of God for us, love that refused to give us up to our rebellion and judgment but sent his Son into the world to save us. Read this chapter over again from this perspective and let it move your heart in responsive love for your heavenly Father.

Father God, we thank you for the wonder of your great love for us – a love that would not let us go. Lord Jesus, we thank you for the love that took you to the cross to endure our sin and condemnation that we might be with you for all eternity. Holy Spirit, you have shed abroad in our hearts the love of God for us, filling us with joy and peace in believing. Triune God, yours is a love that will not let us go, help us to love you in return with a love that refuses to let you go and which keeps us in your love.

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Jul 16 2020 - 2 Timothy 4:1-22 – Finishing Well

Paul knows that his life is drawing to a close; he writes, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure" (2 Timothy 4:6). His was not to be the quiet death of old age. He knows that he will soon face execution. But he views his death as he has viewed his life since the day of his encounter with the risen Christ; his life has been poured out in service of his Lord. "I have fought the good fight," he writes, "I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (4:7). Paul has not wavered or turned back from serving Christ. Even now, when many have abandoned him, he continues to proclaim the saving message of Jesus (4:17).

What a sad contrast with Demas (v.10). Demas had been one of Paul’s missionary team, helping him in the work of the Gospel. His name is mentioned along with Luke in the greetings Paul sends to the church at Colossae at the end of his letter to them (Colossians 4:14) and is mentioned alongside Luke, Mark and Aristarchus in Paul’s greetings to Philemon (Philemon 1:24). He had seemed to run well, but, when the going got tough, he deserted Paul “because he loved this world / this present age.” Demas loved his present life more than the work of the gospel and the coming kingdom.

Speaking of Mark, it’s good to read Paul’s estimate of this young man (v.11). Mark had turned back from accompanying Paul on his missionary journeys and Paul did not want to take him along a second time – he did not want an unreliable worker (Acts 15:36-41). But in the end, Mark had made good and had proved a real help to Paul in his ministry. He was now running well. Who knows, Demas may well have proved useful again in the end.

Paul writes, "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (4:8). He has his eye on the finishing line and his hope set on the prize that awaits him. He's determined to finish well.

Does the hope of glory and the longing for Christ's appearing – the hope of cosmic transformation – keep us faithful and strong in following and serving Christ? Does it encourage us when we fall to pick ourselves up and continue the race? Let's make sure we finish the race and finish well. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Living God, we thank you for the ministry and example of the Apostle Paul and his determination to be faithful and useful as long as he had breath. But we thank you even more for the saving work of Christ who was faithful to the task you had committed to him. He was faithful to death and has been crowned with glory and honour. As we look for and long for the day of his appearing, help us to follow him and to serve him faithfully by serving others cheerfully. Help us not to grow weary and lose heart. As we have started the race, so let us finish, strong in faith and empowered by your Spirit.

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Peter Misselbrook