We are forgiven.

It is not difficult to find anger. It is all around us.

Our world is no longer tolerant of each other.

Two wrongs seem to make it right now. We seem to be justified to say anything to one another no matter how hurtful.

Mercy and forgiveness is in short supply. Judgment and obliteration are practised or at least attempted.

What should be done to God’s rebellious people in Hosea’s day?

They are going to go into exile. Their lifestyles mean this is inevitable. But wait …

“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man—the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.” (Hosea 11 v 8-9)

Admah and Zeboyim were 2 cities near Sodom and Gomorrah that were completely destroyed by God. They were not spared even though it was Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin that brought the judgment. God’s heart is stirred. He must find a way to save. A remnant at least. And in what looks like a prophetic declaration of the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ not to judge the world but to save the world through him (John 3:17) and prior to Hosea’s day after flooding the earth in His judgment He saved a handful to start again with, we see God’s heart again. He just cannot completely destroy! How can I? How can I?

God’s compassion meant He could not completely wipe out Israel. The tribe of Judah and Benjamin were saved.

How is this possible? God’s people deserved complete wiping out without a remnant left in place.

It is possible because He is God and we are not.

Our anger knows no limits and it carries on even for generations. Anger turns to hate and hate wants to remove everyone who has wronged us.

We serve a God who is not quick to anger but who battles within to bring judgment. Compassion flares up and He has decided to pour out His wrath on His Son.

Today you are forgiven. It is not of man, nor of you, but it is totally all of Him for He is God.