After the Scattering the Gathering In

"Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king." -Hosea 3:5 [KJV]

What a sweet scripture is this, and what abundant gospel contained in the bosom of it? "Afterward shall the children of Israel return." After having been long scattered on every high mountain, wandering over the face of the whole earth, the Lord will bring them back; "He that hath scattered Israel will gather him." There shall be abounding grace, for abounding transgression; and what sin hath ruined, grace shall restore. But to whom shall they return? To seek the Lord their God! Yes! This may be done, and this will be done, if the Lord incline their hearts; the same that gives the grace to seek, will give the mercy to find. 

He hath never said to the praying seed of Jacob, Seek ye my face in vain! But it is said also, that they shall return to "David their king." Alas! David king of Israel, bad been dead many a year, when this promise was made, and his sepulchre, as Peter afterwards remarked, was with the people unto this day; how then could they return to David their king? Oh! the blessedness to see David's Lord thus preached in days before the gospel. Though David king of Israel be dead; Christ, the seed of David after the flesh, ever liveth, and to Him shall Israel seek; after all their rebellion, and after all the pursuit of their idols.

Oh! precious Lord Jesus! be it my portion also to seek unto Thee in all Thy covenant relations and characters; "For where should a people seek, but unto their God?" Let my soul feel the same longings as David himself felt, when he cried out, "O God, Thou art my God, early will I seek Thee; my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee, in this dry and thirsty land where no water is!"

 

-preacher Robert Hawker (1753-1827 A.D.)

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