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10/29 Reading Portions: 2 Kings 10; 2 Timothy 1; Hosea 2; Psalm 119:97-120
Hosea 2:14
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.”
GENTLENESS
The idolatry of the Israelites had run rampant; yet YHVH God says He will allure her… and speak tenderly to her. This foreshadows the ministry of the Messiah. While the scribes, Pharisees, and chief priests made an idol of the works of their religion; and while they knew God’s Word, they did not know the God of the Word; and though God incarnate walked in their midst and they conspired to kill Him; the Lord Jesus appealed to them with a gentle spirit and spoke tenderly to them:
“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29
Though sometimes firm with the most rebellious of the religious leaders, Jesus was meek, unwilling to bruise a broken reed or quench a smoldering wick (Matt 12:20).
The Holy Spirit, too, was alluring to us when the Lord Jesus redeemed us with perfect love. Although His awakening our souls alarmed us to God’s holiness, to Christ’s sacrifice, and the holy judgment we so justly deserve, the Lord Jesus spoke tenderly to our hearts and allured us with saving grace. The royal way of our holy witness must likewise be gentle. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:23). We must be as gentle as Paul was to the Thessalonians (1 Thess 2:7), exhibiting the gentle spirit God commands us to exhibit as redeemed saints in Christ (Titus 3:2). Another apostle tells us that…
…the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17
Has gentleness been an issue in your life? Look with a spiritual gaze upon Christ crucified and be encouraged that our Lord and Savior bore our iniquities and never once said, “They’re not Mine.” He gently submitted as if our sins were His own. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
A gentle spirit we must own
And speak with tenderness:
A witness of our heav’nly home,
And unto others bless.
