We can be broken but loved. God will often allow us to be broken to show us he loves us. He broke Israel’s military. In the Bible, a bow is a metaphor for any military weapon. A broken bow renders a soldier helpless. He has no way to fight or defend himself; he is vulnerable to the enemy. Israel’s bow will be broken by God if Israel doesn’t get right. Enemies will invade and carry them away, and they will no longer exist.
Hosea 1:4-5
And the LORD said to him, “Call his name Jezreel, for in just a little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. 5 And on that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.”
Scattered People
Hosea had three children. Two of them were born out of wedlock by his unfaithful wife. Still, Hosea treated these children as his own. God told him what to name each of the three. First was Jezreel to remind Israel what the house of Jehu did to him. Jezreel means scattered, and God was going to disperse the northern kingdom of Israel all over the world, and their country would be no more. The next was Lo-Ruhamah, which means “no compassion.” God was going to withhold his compassion and mercy from Israel. Finally, the third child was named Lo-Ammi which means “not my people.” God was going to scatter the northern kingdom with no compassion. They would no longer be his people.
Bring Us Back
Those are three harsh judgments. God was willing to break his chosen people to bring them back to him. He is willing to do the same thing to us to bring us to repentance and reconciliation with him. This is tough love, and God reserves the right to use it on his children if they rebel and stray from him. Don’t get angry but instead humble yourself and open your heart.
Broken but Loved
God was going to break the bow of Israel to remove any sense of confidence in themselves. When God removes our strengths, we need to use it as a sign to get right. He loves us enough to take away everything we trust in except him. Are feeling scattered and distant from God? Have the things you used to have confidence in no longer work? God could be trying to get your attention. Loosen your pride and turn back to him.