The last three chapters of Hosea are almost a funeral remembrance of the deceased. God spoke of Jacob’s birth, how “he struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. Yes, he wrestled with the Angel and prevailed. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from Him. He met God there face-to-face. God spoke to him – the Lord, the God of heaven’s armies – Jehovah is His name. (12:3-5).
In chapter 13:4-5, He said, “I alone am God, your Lord, and have been ever since I brought you out from Egypt. You have no God but Me, for there is no other Savior. I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry and thirsty land.” In verses 13-14, God said, “New birth is offered him, but he is like a child resisting in the womb – how stubborn! How foolish!”
Then in chapter 14:1-4, God said, “Oh Israel, return to the Lord your God for you have been crushed by your sins. Bring your petition. Come to the Lord and say, “O Lord, take away our sins; be gracious to us and receive us, and we will offer you the sacrifice of praise. Assyria cannot save us, nor can our strength in battle; never again will we call the idols we have made ‘our god’’: for in You alone, O Lord, the fatherless find mercy.
Even in the last days of the Assyrian attack, God offered forgiveness. However, the nation never repented. In fact, even today many of the Jewish/Israeli community are atheists while the majority of the remaining are still looking for the Messiah or are simply looking to their good works to make them accountable to God.
What are Christians to do? There is only one answer: Jesus said to His disciples, “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Gardener. . .Take care to live in Me, and let Me live in you. For a branch can’t produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from Me.” Reading the Bible (studying it) and prayer are the only way we can abide in Christ. He gives us the desire to pray for the salvation of the lost so the Holy Spirit will remove the vail Satan has placed over their spiritual eyes, bring to their attention their sinfulness, and open their hearts to the gospel.