In That Day

I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel. (Hosea 1:4-5, NIV 1984).

My Musings – “The Valley of Jezreel.” Where Israel’s military might (“bow“) was defeated by the Assyrians under Tiglath-Pileser III. “Yet I will show love to the house of Judah; and I will save them.” (Hosea 1:7, NIV 1984). “Yet,” as in the “nevertheless,” for their sins were not yet as grievous as the Northern kingdom’s. But also “yet,” as in “at this time,” for their sins would eventually (“in that day”) result in their fall to the Babylonians at a future time.

Yet again, “the people of Judah and the people of Israel will be reunited, and they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.” (Hosea 1:11, NIV 1984). “Yet,” as in “at a future time,” or as in “the time is coming.” “The day of Jezreel” a new beginning. For God is a God who keeps His promises.

My Advice – “‘The time is coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them,’ declares the Lord. ‘This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,’ declares the Lord. ‘I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'” (Hebrew 8:8–10, NIV 1984).

“They [Israel and Judah] will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you [Gentiles] were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree [Israel and Judah], how much more readily will these, the natural branches [Israel and Judah], be grafted into their own olive tree [God through Christ]!” (Romans 11:23–24, NIV 1984).

Once rejected, but “the time is coming” when the appointed “one leader” will be Jesus Christ. We, both the “natural branches” and those “grafted in,” must follow Him to be part of the “new covenant.” “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said.” (Matthew 4:19, NIV 1984). That time is now.