In many places in the Bible, God makes specific promises to his people Israel. A closer look reveals that they are above all else: "Phenomenal!" This series explores selected promises God made to Israel. Prepare to be amazed!
By Dr. Tobias Krämer
“I will be like the dew to Israel; it will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon.” (Hosea 14:6)
Hosea is a forceful prophet. He is remembered for a particularly striking act. Hosea married a prostitute – a prophetic sign of the "fornication" in Israel (Hosea 1:2). This was no romantic Hollywood wedding where the bride emerges from a luxury car in perfect beauty and white veils. This wedding was a prophetic statement. Not exactly something to emulate, I would say, but in Hosea's time, it was painfully powerful.
Behind the term "fornication" lies the image of a marriage—and of adultery. The husband represents God, the wife Israel. The tragedy: Israel breaks its marriage with God. How does Israel do this? By practicing idolatry: "They have committed fornication against their God" (Hosea 4:12). Hosea vividly illustrates this fact with his unconventional wedding. Hosea is therefore a book full of tension and conflict, not a pleasant one.
The ending, however, is surprising. God promises that he himself will "heal" Israel's apostasy (idolatry or adultery) (Hosea 14:5). This grave sin, which should actually be severely punished, is seen here as a sickness from which Israel suffers. A sickness, however, needs not a judge, but a physician. And God himself is that physician. God heals Israel so that the intimate unity between God and Israel is restored. This promise has not yet been fulfilled. But it touches me and fills me with faith and hope for Israel.
With this promise, the atmosphere of the text changes. Delicate imagery is used. It expresses how good God is to Israel: “I will be like the dew to Israel. It will blossom like the lily and put down roots like the cedars of Lebanon.” God is like the dew that gently falls upon the dusty land and makes nature bloom. For Israel will blossom like a lily—the royal flower, the flower of purity and innocence. And Israel will put down roots. Israel will stand firm like the cedars of Lebanon, those giants that powerfully drive their roots deep into the ground so that no storm can uproot them. What an image!
Graceful beauty and monumental steadfastness are to characterize Israel. This is God's vision for Israel. And so that this vision may be fulfilled, God descends upon Israel like the dew of a cool night. Gently, unnoticed, life-giving, blessing. God heals Israel. For they are his beloved people.
