God's desire for us is salvation in relationship with him (Hosea 13-14)

 Hosea 13-14

Key verse: 

Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for your sins have brought you down. Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises. (Hosea 14:1-2)

Let those who are wise understand these things.

    Let those with discernment listen carefully.

The paths of the Lord are true and right,

    and righteous people live by walking in them.

    But in those paths sinners stumble and fall. (Hosea 14:9)

A) Remembering God is more important than everything else we can make or do (Hosea 13)

B) Returning to God for healing is right and necessary before we can offer praise (Hosea 14)

13:1-3) Ephraim powerful, esteemed but sinned by worshiping Baal marketing idolatry they will disappear like morning mist

4-8) Lord your God, out of Egypt, Holy, only savior, takes care of you (physically), satisfied (emotionally). In pride you forgot God, therefore God attacks like a beast defending children.

8-11) God, your only helper is about to destroy you (Israel) - who in your court will save you?

12-13) Ephraim's guilt and sin, collected for punishment. Pain to people like childbirth, a child resisting being born.

14-16) "Should I ransom fro grave and redeem from death?" - No "I will not take pity on them" - no future, bears consequences of their guilt, because they rebelled against their God

 - Our destiny is to die and then face judgment Everything revealed to John says REPENT! Jesus is coming soon!

 - Christianity is about Jesus Resurrection: "Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:55)

14:1-3) Return to Lord your God with Confessions, ask forgive all our sins, graciously receive us. 

 - Never again... idols. In God alone is mercy

 - Let your yes be yes and no be no, anything more from evil one (Matt 5:37)

4-7) LORD says, "Then I will heal you of faithlessness, my love knows no bounds, anger gone forever - every natural blessing, supernatural under my shade"

8-9) Stay away from idols, LORD God answers prayers, cares, fruitfulness