What does "I long to redeem them" reveal about God's character? The Setting: God Speaks Through Hosea “Hosea 7:13: ‘Woe to them, for they fled from Me! Destruction to them, for they rebelled against Me! Though I want to redeem them, they speak lies against Me.’” What “I want to redeem them” Shows About God’s Heart • Compassion runs deep—His first instinct is rescue, not retaliation (Psalm 103:8). • Love persists even while He is being lied about (Romans 5:8). • Redemption is His own initiative; He does not wait for sinners to fix themselves (John 3:16). • Holiness and mercy are perfectly balanced: judgment is deserved, yet His longing for salvation remains (Exodus 34:6-7). • His desire is personal and passionate—“I” and “them” stress relationship, not cold transaction (Hosea 11:8-9). • Patience characterizes Him; rebellion has been long-standing, but His yearning has not dimmed (2 Peter 3:9). • The phrase verifies His unchanging nature—He loves Israel then and still loves today (Malachi 3:6). The Cost Behind the Longing • “Redeem” (Hebrew pᵉdûth) means to buy back by paying a price. • In Hosea’s time that pointed ahead to the ultimate payment—“You were redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). • God’s longing is not mere emotion; it moved Him to the cross (Ephesians 1:7). Echoes Across Scripture • Isaiah 30:18 — “Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you…” • Ezekiel 18:23 — “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?... Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” • 1 Timothy 2:4 — “who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” • Luke 19:10 — “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Living in the Light of His Redeeming Desire • Receive the offer—respond with repentance and faith; His arms are open. • Rest in His steadfast love when guilt whispers that you’ve gone too far. • Reflect His heart—pursue the lost with the same costly compassion (Jude 23). • Rejoice: the God who longs to redeem also has the power to finish what He starts (Philippians 1:6). |
    |