358. Return, Revive, Grow
Hosea 14:7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
The Lord through the prophet Hosea promises that the sinful nation, which will be judged for idolatry and adultery, will go into exile and will return again to the Land and to the Lord. Then the people will live again and grow again. This prophecy came true for Israel. And in the wider prophecy it came true for all God’s people when the Son of God came to earth to redeem and bring believers back to the Kingdom and to God; in the kingdom those who believe in Jesus will live, grow, flourish and give off a pleasant aroma. This promise came true in Christ and the NT Church.
We have returned, as promised, to the Kingdom of God where we belong. We have been born anew and entered the Kingdom. We grow and produce fruit in the kingdom as we abide in the vine. And we give off a sweet fragrance of life into the world so that others see our good works and give glory to the Father. We can see these things happen to the corn, the vine and the wine, In this way we can see and understand what is happening in the spiritual world next to us that we can’t see. The Lord uses many images in the Bible to reveal to the eyes of the heart what we cannot see with the eyes in our head.
There is a condition to this wonderful promise of living, growing, flourishing and scenting: “Dwell under his shadow.” This is believing God, trusting in Him, entering into His presence, coming under His Lordship, living in the holy place, staying under His protective care, fearing God and worshiping the Lord alone. It is a different and colorful way of saying, “Believe in Jesus.” If we believe in Jesus, then we will live well. The condition has been met every time we hear, read and receive the gospel with the repentance and faith worked in us by the Spirit. The condition has been satisfied (we dwell under his shadow); therefore, we return, revive, grow and smell good.
In other words, believe in Jesus, remain in the faith, and enjoy the wonderful life as a result. There is a spiritual life within and it is much more glorious that the physical life we enjoy, living in God’s good Creation. God is good, and His life is good.