Jezreel Redeemed

 2 Kings 15,16; Hosea 1; 1 Hebrews 1 

“Then the Lord said to Hosea, ‘Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel…The people of Judah and the people of Israel will be reunited, and they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.’”

Hosea 1:4, 11

Jezreel means “God plants”. God planted the tribe of Issachar in the fertile Jezreel valley. The rebellious King Ahab and Jezebel ruled from this valley. Later, God’s judgment of Ahab through Jehu was exacted at Jezreel. This legacy of rebellion and bloodshed ultimately resulted in the destruction and deportation of Israel by the Assyrians. In the very place God prophesied of Israel’s destruction, he also promised her return and restoration. “…great will be the day of Jezreel” (Hosea 1:11). The future coming of the Messiah would be in this region, as Jews and Gentiles together entered the kingdom of God. Jesus of Nazareth (Jezreel), redeems restores, and renews.

What judgments over our lives does the Lord want to redeem?

“Lord Jesus, you are my Redeemer and Lord, for your glory.”