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From Splendor to Shadow

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Hosea's Gracious Appeals

The transgressors were given many opportunities to repent. In their hour of deepest apostasy God's message was one of forgiveness and hope. “O Israel,” He declared, “thou hast destroyed thyself; but in Me is thine help. I will be thy King: where is any other that may save thee?” Hosea 13:9, 10. “Come, and let us return unto the Lord,” the prophet entreated, “for He hath torn, and He will heal us ... . Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3. SS 152.3

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely,” the Lord declared. “I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily ... . They that dwell under His shadow shall return ... . For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.” Hosea 14:4-9. SS 152.4

“Seek ye Me,” the Lord invited, “and ye shall live.” “And so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:4, 14, 15. SS 153.1

So contrary to the evil desires of the impenitent were the words of God's messengers, that the idolatrous priest at Bethel sent to the ruler in Israel, saying, “Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.” Amos 7:10. SS 153.2

The evils that overspread the land had become incurable, and on Israel was pronounced the dread sentence: “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” “The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it.” Hosea 4:17; 9:7. The ten tribes of Israel were now to reap the fruitage of the apostasy that had taken form with the setting up of the strange altars at Bethel and at Dan. God's message was: “All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.” Amos 9:10. SS 153.3

“The houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end.” “Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.” “Because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.” Amos 3:15; 7:17; 4:12. SS 153.4