Judgment and Restoration in Hosea

God came down like a lion, ready to strike His own people. Israel and Judah

had abandoned Him, turning to idols and hollow worship. Despite repeated warnings,

they refused to change. Through the Prophet Hosea, God declared fierce

judgment not to destroy for pleasure, but to correct. He said, "I will be like

a lion to Ephraim, like a young lion to Judah. I will tear them to pieces and go

away. I will carry them off, and no one will rescue them."

The people offered shallow words of repentance, but their hearts remained distant.

So judgment came. Assyria invaded, cities fell, and the people were taken into exile.