​Doom and gloom.  Impending judgment, prophesies of captivity, and verdicts of rejection.  It’s all kind of starting to sound depressing, isn’t it?!  As you read these posts and parts of Hosea, you may be wondering, “Where’s the God of mercy and love found in the New Testament?  Or what happened to grace?”  Don’t worry!  The God of the New Testament is the same God of the Old.  His love has not changed; His mercy and grace are still abundant and evident during this dark period of Israel’s history.  For, mixed in with God’s messages of rejection, contention, and holy anger are these seemingly conflicting word of tenderness, compassion, and unending love.

In the midst of His warnings of impending doom and judgment, God takes a moment to remind Israel of His love.  He reminds them of His faithfulness and tender mercies of the past and brings to their attention how gently and lovingly He brought them out of Egypt and built them into a nation.  He viewed Israel as a toddler-age son who needed help with everything from learning to walk to finding food.  But what was Israel’s response to all that God did?  Blatant ungratefulness.​