WHOM IS GOD ADDRESSING?

Say unto your brothers, “Ammi,” and to your sisters, “Ruhamah.”  Hosea 2:1

    Hosea is a beautiful story of God’s mercy.  It showcases the long arm of God, the extent to which He will go to reach His children when they are far from Him.  Throughout this prophetic book, God will deliver some difficult words to the people He loves and they are well deserved.  His message will be heard but the Jews aren’t in a place yet to take them to heart.  They are enjoying their sin too much.

In spite of this, God’s unchanging love for them is evident in the way He addresses them. “Ammi” means ‘my people’ and Ruhamah means ‘those who have obtained mercy’.   To make a fair comparison, let’s imagine a wife sitting down to have a difficult talk with an unfaithful husband.  She begins by addressing him as ‘my dear husband – who has already obtained mercy.’  Even if what follows is tough love, there is a foundation for the future.  

This reminds of me a scene between Peter and Jesus in the upper room, the night Jesus would be arrested.  Peter tells Jesus, in a flash of passion, that he is ready to die for Him.  Jesus replies, “Not only aren’t you ready to give your life for me, but before morning comes, you will deny that you know me three times.”  At this, Peter’s heart is anguished.  It’s what Jesus says next that is so moving.  “Don’t be worried and upset.”  There is mercy before the sin; mercy that bridges the present and the future.

You and I have a Savior who tells us that though we will fail Him today, we should not be consumed with hopelessness. This is not to say that we shouldn’t take our sin seriously, but only that He stands ready to forgive and extend mercy when we repent.  Peter’s restoration with Jesus after the resurrection provides a picture of one who obtained mercy. They ate a meal together, exchanged heartfelt words about ‘feeding the sheep’, and Peter went on to become one of the founding fathers of the New Testament church.  The unspoken posture of his writings is certainly ‘one who has obtained mercy.’

For every way I have failed You, there is redemption.  I fall on my knees in gratitude.  Amen