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HOSEA 2:14-16
Can you recall a time in your life that you remember how when you were so set to do your own thing, and it did not matter who it effected or hurt? And then perhaps, instead of mom and dad doing or saying anything to you, they just let you go your way until the very thing you wanted so badly turned bad on you? So much so, that it took that hardship or disappointment to get you to wake up and come to your senses that all along mom and dad was right? Well, this is pretty much what we find here in this particular passage of scripture.
God was so much in love with Israel. Israel was the apple of God's eye. This love story that is told in the book of Hosea is one of the most moving stories of any time or of any place. It is a story that touches many lives and homes today where there are separation, division, and strife. Where husbands and wives don't get along and where the flame of what was once a passionate, loving relationship has now turned into a pile of smoldering coal and ashes.
Many cry bitter tears and ask, "Why?" and "How could this have happened?" But the truth remains that it is always sin that destroys homes. It is always sin that destroys a marriage! And another truth that accompanies this is that it is the children, another generation that suffer the greatest loss in the relationship!
And here we find a bitter fight. We find a man who is leaving his wife. He feels that she is not good enough. She does not meet his expectations anymore. "In fact," he tells him, "I've been seeing someone else. She's got it all, everything I've always wanted. I am sorry, goodbye."
And there in just a few minutes, try as she might, here stands a mate who will not change his mind. She keeps trying, but can only look at him as he is packs his bags and walks out the door. And here we read of how Israel had her bags packed and were walking out on God.
But God does not give up easy! His love is an endless one that knows no boundary. He keeps reaching. He keeps drawing. He says, "I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak love unto her. I will give her vineyards from there, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope."
Israel was unfaithful to God. She was a spiritual adulteress; she was caught in the act. It was so repulsive to God, that God was about to strip her of all standing when He decided to try something else, He says "I will court her. I will draw her to me again! And I will speak “words of love to her”, because I can't give up on the one that I love!"
Against His own nature, God steps into the place of reconciling her back to Him. In other words, He said, "Let’s go to a secret place alone and talk this over and be together like we used to be. You and me... together. I care for you and I want you to be totally mine!" God was committed to her redemption. He was committed to her deliverance!
When we come to church we come to have fellowship or commune with Him. It is our desire to soar higher & grow deeper in Him than we have ever been before! Sometimes I wonder if we ever really take the time to thank Him for what He has done! Yet God looked at this illreputable woman and said, "I know she doesn't deserve it, but I'll keep providing for her. I'll keep loving her. I'll keep drawing her .... just because she cannot help herself!"
The Valley of Achor was the valley where Achan was slain for his trespass during the battle of Jericho, when his heart coveted the wedge of gold, the silver, and the Babylonish garment.
Joshua 7 - (Tell the story of Achan's sin - Israel’s defeat at Ai - Joshua seeking the reason why - Achan's lot drawn - Achan and his family buried under the stones)
Verse 26 - "And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place the valley of Achor unto this day."
This defeat would seem to be a blight on the record of Israel. Why not speak of the crossing of the Jordan River. But God was saying, "I'll take your defeat and I'll turn it into a victory!" Because after Achor and Ai they went into the Promised Land!
Today, God wants you to know that if your heart is heavy & your visage is sad, "He will take your valley of defeat and trouble, where you've stumbled and fallen, and He will make it a door of hope! He will turn your situation around! He will give you an open door so you can get out of your valley!"
Leave the stones that bury your mistake. Turn from the rubble that marks the failures of your past and look to the “door of hope” that leads you to victory! It's a “door of new vision” - a “door of forgiveness” - a “door for your deliverance!” Jesus Christ is a ”door in the darkness”.
The darkness of Egypt only made the stars of God's promises and provisions seem brighter! God is offering deliverance to those who will answer call that comes beyond the door! It was in the dark when God came to make a covenant with Abraham. All day long until the set of sun, Abraham drove the
buzzards from his sacrifice. But when the darkness came and Abraham was alone, God came to him!
It seems there are times when the glory of God can only be seen in the dark times - in the depths of your valley! Jacob was in the dark of trouble when Esau pursued after him to kill him. He was running from his past! All the time, Jacob's biggest enemy he was running from was himself. And Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord in the deep, dark night. And that's when God opened a “door of hope” and gave him a new name and a new start!
It was 400 silent, dark years between God's last utterance to Israel until the day that angels heralded the coming of Jesus Christ. It was the announcement of a Door of Hope to the world. For Jesus declared himself, "I am the Door!" Jesus is your door out of your trouble and your sin. He is the door to life, love, joy, and peace. He is the door to your salvation, healing, and victory! This world cannot offer hope. Jesus is our only hope!
He did it because of us. He stepped out of eternity into time, and opened a door for us to pass through to eternal life! He went to Calvary for us. He went to the grave for us! He was resurrected for us! There are no accusers of our past when he takes us through the door of hope! He only says to us, "Go and sin no more!"
Copyright 2001 by Betty Lester
