Hosea 6: Food and Drink for Anglican Exiles

Food for the soul. Hope for the future. Duties prescribed. Confidence in His Majesty's covenant promises: God's presence, God's justification and forgiveness, God's enablement to serve Him. Setting: days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (792 B.C.-686 B.C.) as well as Jeroboam 11's day wherein Hosea ministered. The text is pulled out of that wider context, but even as such, it gives a "snapshot" and a "movie reel" view of the Divine dealings with his believing, justified and sanctified saints living in hard times. In this Anglican exile, we have Pharisees (Tractarians and other additives by law, arrogance, and animosity). We have liberals as Saduccees, subtracting the doctrines from the Protestant, Reformed and truly Catholic faith. We live in northern Israel, yet, God keeps his people in accordance with His own kindness, mercy, and grace. This is "food" to be eaten. "Water" to be tasted. "Man does not live by `bread' alone [nor by cannibalism], but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God" (Mt. 4.4). Let us walk in the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1.1-8), humility before God (Mic. 6.6-8), and delight in the LORD and His people (Psalm 84). This text from Hosea refreshes one while dealing with the Anglican Pharisees and Sadduccees. As Jesus warned, let us be extremely cautious around them, to wit, Mt. 16.1-12. For Rectors, feed the sheep with good food and drink! They're Christ's and deserve the love and respect befitting them as brothers and sisters! (Jer. 23; Ez. 33, 34; John 21). Thank you, Hosea, for the refreshing text.

Hosea 6:

“Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.
2 After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.
3 Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth
 

Holy Ghost, dispel our sadness;
Pierce the clouds of nature’s night;
Come, great Source of joy and gladness,
Breathe Your life, and spread Your light.
From the height which knows no measure,
As a gracious shower descend,
Bringing down the richest treasure
Man can wish, or God can send.
Author of the new creation,
Come with blessing and with power.
Make our hearts your habitation;
On our souls Your graces shower.
Hear, O hear our supplication,
Blessèd Spirit, God of peace!
Rest upon this congregation,
With the fullness of Your grace