The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / RANSOM AND REDEMPTION

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 305 of 365 RANSOM AND REDEMPTION Relentless judgment seems to be rampant throughout the pages of Hosea. But God's love is revealed to be even more unstoppable than divine judgment when readers view this Scripture through the lens of love personified - that is, through Jesus Christ. The extensive judgment in this text is followed by rhetorical questions that point toward redemption and ransom: God seems to be asking himself, "Will I ransom my people?" and, "Will I redeem them from death?" The unfaithfulness of the people has incited extreme judgment and wrath, yet God still holds out a promise of hope (Hos 14:4 - 8). Despite their sin, God was faithful and loving to save his people. There is no more beautiful expression of this love than when Jesus arrived on the scene hundreds of years later, leaving heaven to walk on earth with the primary purpose of ransoming his people and defeating death once and for all. Hosea 13:14 is quoted in 1 Corinthians 15:55 - 57, in what is perhaps one of the most triumphant and victorious exclamations of the finished work of Jesus: "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." God's people are redeemed from punishment into glorious life both now and forever. Jesus, even though I deserve God's wrath, you saved me anyway. Thank you for ransoming my soul and rescuing me from the grave. Amen. Hosea 13:14 NASB 14 Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion will be hidden from My sight. Hosea 14:4-8 NASB 4 I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; He will blossom like the lily, And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon. 6 His shoots will sprout, And his beauty will be like the olive tree And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. 7 Those who live in his shadow Will again raise grain, And they will blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NASB 55 O death , where is your victory ? O death, where is your sting ?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.