Who does Les picture as the speaker in Hosea 5:15, and what must Israel do before He returns?
The speaker in Hosea 5:15 is pictured as Christ Himself, declaring He will go and return to His place until the nation of Israel acknowledges their offense—having crucified Him—and seeks His face. In their affliction, they will seek Him early.
Les explains that you can almost picture Christ Himself speaking Hosea 5:15, saying He will go and return to His place until Israel acknowledges their offense—their having crucified Him—and seeks His face. In their affliction, they will seek Him early. Les notes the nation of Israel is getting closer and closer, beginning to long for the coming of their Messiah, though they do not realize He has already been here and left. Hosea chapter 6 shows prophetically that Israel will return to the Lord, knowing He will heal and bind them up after chastening.
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.