40 years of secrets and lies. 40 years of unresolved hatred and bitterness. A recent British TV crime drama brought all of that to the surface in the process of solving a murder in a dying English village. Family’s had been divided by coal mine strikes in the 1980’s and lived with hatred and contempt for each other until one of their children murdered one of them and everyone thought it was directly connected to events from 40 years earlier. In the end the only connection was the murderer had grown up twisted by the hatred permeating the town. It wasn’t the 40 year old events themselves, but how they all lived in the aftermath that led to the murder. Some came to grips with their own complicity, but others couldn’t face their own culpability for perpetuating hate for 40 years. Sadly the story was based on actual events in a real English village.

What happens when centuries of secrets and lies are exposed in a nation? Hosea tells us what happens from God’s perspective. As our previous studies have worked through the text we’ve seen their sin exposed and condemned in the most graphic terms possible. God isn’t nearly as prudish as we are when it comes to exposing and discussing sin, especially the real and figurative adultery committed in the pursuit of idolatry. It wasn’t hidden because the people practiced literal sex to prompt God’s blessings, so God exposed it and them to the world through Hosea.

Even when He tried to bring them back into fellowship with Him by offering healing and restoration it wouldn’t work because the depth of their corruption was revealed.

“When I would heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered, and the evil deeds of Samaria, for they deal falsely: the thief enters in, Bandits raid outside, and they do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face.” Hosea 7:1-2

For generations the people of Israel had lived in sin to the point where it was so common they considered it normal. They thought God didn’t know or care, but He did and the time of healing was coming to an end.

Are we like Israel here in America? Not that this nation was ever God’s chosen people like Israel, or ever righteous in His sight. If you think so, then you have not considered in your heart what it takes to be God’s chosen people or to be right in His sight. And that’s the question, have we lived in our sins so long that we think God doesn’t know or care? Consider this in your heart – God knows and cares and it could be that our opportunity for healing and restoration is coming to an end.