Day 115: January 26, 2026 – Hosea 8-14

Whew, that was a lot. It is chapter after chapter of the prophet telling Israel what will happen to them because they have been unfaithful to the Lord. It is completely focused on Israel and doesn’t include any of the other nations around it, but just Israel. Israel has “played the whore”, which means it has been unfaithful to God. As a result, God will not only turn his back on Israel, but he will actively bring upon Israel the type of destruction and future that no one would ever want. This will last some time.

But just like a Psalm of lament, that destruction will not last forever. The last chapter is what we expect in a lament, the promise of restoration and the hint of some type of faithfulness of Israel. God will forgive Israel, isn’t this what the coming Messiah is all about? The presence of God, God with us, in a way that provide grace and forgiveness. Yes, it comes, but after a long and torturous road.