Hosea 11-12

“He shall not return to the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king because they refused to repent.” (Hosea 11:5, NKJV)

God had sent His prophet Moses to deliver the children of Israel from Egypt. In Scriptural typology, Egypt always stands for the world that is governed by the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). The LORD had delivered them from their oppression and bondage and brought them into a land of milk and honey. But they rebelled against Him and worshiped the Baals. The LORD taught Ephraim to walk as a father takes his child by the hands and helps him take his first steps.

But they spurned God’s commandments and followed their own counsels. They called out to the Most High, but they did not truly honor Him (v. 7). They rejected the prophets God sent them because they were bent on backsliding. And though the LORD’s heart churned with sympathy toward His own people, He could no longer tolerate their wickedness. Therefore, He gave them over to the Assyrians to be ruled by them until they would learn to walk after the LORD.

All these things happened because the people refused to repent. I don’t think we can overestimate the value God places on repentance, and yet many, many people are unwilling to repent even when circumstances become really, really bad. When Jesus came, He did not call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32). God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). To the person who is trapped by the devil, God must grant repentance by His grace (2 Timothy 2:25-26). But repentance is also a matter of the human will. We cannot do God’s part, but He will not do our part.

Is there an area where the Holy Spirit is calling you to change your mind or heart? Then don't be afraid to turn the wheel.

“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion…” (Hebrews 3:7–8, NKJV)