Mercy for Judah

Mercy still shown to Judah

Hosea 1:6-7
And she conceived again and bore a daughter. Then God said to him:
“ Call her name Lo-Ruhamah,
For I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel,
But I will utterly take them away.
7 Yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah,
Will save them by the LORD their God,
And will not save them by bow,
Nor by sword or battle,
By horses or horsemen.”

This is the second child that is born to Gomer, a girl. Her name literally means “no mercy”. God here explains that He is through with showing mercy to the house of Israel. They have had their chance, but now is the time for them to be conquered by the Assyrians and taken away as captives. But the part of the verse we are going to look at today is how God is still willing to deal with Judah.

The very army that defeats the northern tribes of Israel, decide to go south and do the same with Judah. They are successful in taking much of the area but then they get to Jerusalem. Arrogant over their defeat of the north they start taunting the God of the Jews, not understanding that God had used them to chastise His people.

There is a great story about what goes on in Isaiah. It is two chapters long and goes into great detail about how all the sides involved were feeling and thinking. Either read or listen to Isaiah 36 &37 then answer these questions.

How are the promises to Judah made in Hosea 1:7 fulfilled?

What is Sennacherib’s attitude about God?

Who is sent to fulfill Sennacherib’s order to conquer Israel?

What does the Rabshakeh (love this name) say about the God of Judah?

What proof does the Rabshakeh offer that he can fulfill his threat?

How do the emissaries react to the threat?

What does Hezekiah do when he receives the threat?

What happens to the Rabshakeh?

What does Hezekiah do with the new letter he receives from Sennacherib?

What does Isaiah tell them?

What does God do?

How does Sennacherib die?

Why do you think God did it this way?

I’ve asked you a lot of questions about this story because I want you to think about what is really going on. It’s a great story about God’s might and ability to save those that turn to Him but it also shows us that sometimes our enemies come against us simply to show everyone around us what power God has. But it is also a warning to not become too complacent in God’s deliverance, for in the next two chapters Hezekiah blows it and God tells Judah that they will be conquered by the Babylonians in the future.

It also tells us not to expect God’s mercy to always be there for us. How often we hear someone say that now they are going to have fun, but in the future they will think about God. Israel no longer had that future and in 70 years or so, Judah would not either. I think that is why in Hebrews we are warned not to put off our relationship with the Lord. We have no idea what our future holds.

Hebrews 3:13
13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.


Take some time to write out for yourself why it is important for you to stay close to the Lord daily.