A life of faith always begins with us surrendering to God’s plan. However, to do so we have to recognize that the way of faith is always an interruption to the status quo, that the way of faith means laying aside our own plans, and that the way of faith isn’t hindered by the impossible. Just like Abraham, God is still calling us to follow him in the way of faith.

Hosea's message of impending judgment ramps up to its highest level. He describes the sins of the Northern Tribes as consonant with Israel's worst historical happenings. He also points to all their false hopes which God is going to remove, one by one, culminating in the removal of Israel themselves from the land.

The way of faith is superior to the law. For starters, God’s promise predates the giving of the law, and even when it was given it was only for a temporary purpose. More importantly, the law was given not to make us righteous but show our need for a savior and point us to Christ. When we read the commands of God we must do so in a way that leads us back to what God has done for us in Jesus, encountering the gospel again and again.

Hosea begins his message proper, although still in the spirit of a scorned faithful husband. As Gomer, we see that Israel has been consistently unfaithful. We also find that their supposed freedom is just slavery, blindness and death. However God has a plan that extends past judgment, and will lead to restoration.

The law is great, but it was never meant to be the means to the blessings of God; in fact, if you aren’t good at following directions to the tee, then you don’t get blessing from the law, but cursing. Jesus in his substitutionary death and resurrection has purchased us something so much better - a piece of the blessing promised to Abraham, righteousness and God’s Spirit in us.

Hosea becomes a living prophecy as he is called to marry (and re-marry) an unfaithful wife and name his kids after the impending judgment. Nevertheless we find that after the judgment comes a new honeymoon and God proves himself to be a love greater than our sin.

From the beginning God sought a blessing for humanity: that they would live with him and be his partners and representatives. What is required to participate in that blessing? That we, like Abraham place our faith in God and his promises.

As Ezekiel concludes his final vision we find not just a new temple but a new priesthood, new cultus and a new Israel. We discover that one day, God will fulfill his promise to Israel on earth, and after that will fulfill it in heaven.

Today we live between the cross and heaven. We operate in the reality of a resurrected Christ that changed our lives, strengthens us through the trials we face, and provokes us to good works.

What is it that makes the good news so good? Here, Paul reminds Peter of all that God has done for us in Jesus Christ and shows that a return to the works of the law (or any other system of worth in our world) would be to reject the greatest gift ever given.