God's Deliberate Discipline (Hosea 11:12-12:14)
/We can wonder as God's people if God is for us or against us. We should see that Israel is certainly a unique place in covenant history. They model heaven on earth, but demonstrate that we need a savior. Israel shows that despite the Lord's redemptive mercy their hearts can still wander from the true God. Israel is the model of heaven on earth, but communicates we will never bring heaven on earth. Israel also reminds us that the Lord can discipline his people. We might feel as if God is distant, but Hosea reminds us that the Lord is shaping his people even when he feels distant.