Breaking the law/Breaking my heart, Hosea 2
Hosea 2
May 11, 2006
Intro: Judges, Kings, and the children of Israel: When they would not
listen to God He would send a prophet.
A- With the death of king Solomon comes the division of
Nation Israel in to 2 kingdoms.
1- The Southern kingdom, comprised of Judah and
Benjamin.
2- The Northern kingdom comprised of the other 10
tribes.
a- Both kingdoms enter into a time of Spiritual
deafness so God brings the age of the Prophet
into existence.
- It starts about 875 BC with Elijah and goes
until the time of Christ with the last of the
Old Testament type prophet John the
Baptist.
B- Why Hosea 1st even though it is not 1st chronologically?
1- Because God’s priorities need to be displayed.
a- Yes Israel is breaking the LAW.
b- BUT in doing so their also breaking God’s
HEART.
2- It’s in this book, to the Northern kingdom, that we see
the one who loves much (the Father & Hosea & Jesus
Christ) seeking after the one who is unresponsive to
that love (Israel & Gomer & the Church).
a- This book is about God as a loving husband.
b- Those He has called as promiscuous prostitute.
- If “Desperate Housewives” is about:
* Lust & Love, Passion & Perversion,
Romance & Rebellion, Adultery &
Jealousy.
- Then here we have the “Desperate Prophet”
#1- So 1st we hear a PLEA from God.
Read Verses 1-2
A- Again we hear the heart of the Lord as, love that is
presently ignored, will one day flourish.
1- Even as Hosea in the naming of his children was
seemingly casting them off.
a- Lo-Ruhamah = “not loved”.
b- Lo-Ammi = “Not mine”
- BUT it is not always to be this way and is not
that way currently.
* A New Testament parallel
James 4:4, Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
2- SO if you practice such things:
a- Lo-Ruhamah = “not loved”.
b- Lo-Ammi = “Not mine”
3- BUT on the other hand:
John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
a- Where is the fit???
Hosea 2:1, Say to your brethren, ‘My people,’ (Ammi), And to your sisters, ‘Mercy is shown.’(Ruhaman)
> SO kids: Read Verse 2
A- Ever feel the desperation of love not reiterated???
1- The Idea is Hosea going through the kid’s to win or
melt mom’s heart.
a- It’s really a plea for the people of Israel, or those
who are of the church, to unite and unify under
Jesus Christ.
Zechariah 1:3, Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.
2- As long as you can draw breath there is always a
2nd chance with God.
a- The worse sin you can commit is one you don’t
repent of.
b- Blaspheming of the Holy Spirit is only finalized at
death.
- Until then God pleas with man to return to
Him.
Romans 5:6, For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
3- Problem in our society today: No shame in sin.
a- The headline this week was: Woman, 104,
takes man, 33, as husband No. 21.
- Broadcast all over the world.
#2- The PLEA of God made, the PRICE of man to be PAID.
Read Verses 3-5
A- God’s call of love responded to by lust.
1- He will strip her naked.
a- Naked = Exposed Spiritually, before all to see.
- Seen in Israel’s captivity to Assyria.
* A picture of man according to his own
rightness.
Genesis 2:25, And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Genesis 3:7, Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
See Isaiah 20
2- Another price to be paid is “THURST”.
Read Verse 3
a- This is the search for truth without ever being
able to find it.
- WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE.
* I know it’s to glorify God.
* The world ???
2 Timothy 3:7, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Read John 4:13-14
3- Another price to be paid is “the effects of sin upon
the children”.
Read Verse 4
a- Notice, people who are not Christ centered, their
children are off center.
Exodus 20:5, ... For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
4- Next price paid is an unrealistic view of what is due
to you.
Hosea 2:5, For their mother has played the harlot; She who conceived them has behaved shamefully. For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, Who give me my bread and my water, My wool and my linen, My oil and my drink.’
- If God won’t give me what I want then I’ll
* My time for God I’ll give to a job.
* My search for a spouse will not be in His
house.
* I’ll look for nourishment in entertainment.
#3- The PLEA of God made, the PRICE of man to be PAID, and
now the PROCESS that is laid.
Read Verses 6-8
A- Why are there so many beers?
1- Why do some go from relationship to relationship.
a- Why to some regress from soft to hard drugs.
- Why a different playmate every month.
2- BECAUSE man, w/o God is on a hamster wheel.
a- My satisfaction will come: The next months
issue, in another brand, a better high, or in the
next brand.
#4- The PLEA of God made, the PRICE of man to be PAID, the
PROCESS that is laid, and the PUNISHMENT of the
unrepentant.
Read Verses 9-11
A- This is not a coming back to the Lord but a coming back
to religion based upon guilt of hardship.
1- Worse case scenario = Judas, in his attempt to force
God’s hand he was left out in the dark.
a- These are those who come here as a penance.
- Give, raise hands, new bible, ...
* But again, this is the confusion of God
with Santa Clause.
2- What kind of worldly blessing can I receive for my
Spiritual investment.
Read verse 12-13
Malachi 2:1-2, “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name,” Says the Lord of hosts, “I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, Because you do not take it to heart.
#5- Even with all of this we still finish with a proposal.
Read Verses 14-23 (See the “I will’s”)
A- As far as those who are walking with the Lord.
1- What is it that we are rewarded for in heaven.
a- Think about it: We take His stuff (gifts, word,
example), we receive the ability from Him, and
we do things according to His way.
- Hey Pastor Mike: Good study tonight.
(Well I had a good writer)
2- What God blesses is faithfulness. How faithful???
a- If Terry asked me if I’ve been faithful
- What kind of husband would I be if I was
99.9% faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2, Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
Hosea 2
May 4, 2006
James 4:4
John 3:16
Zechariah 1:3
Romans 5:6
Genesis 2:25
Genesis 3:7
Isaiah 20
2 Timothy 3:7
John 4:13-14
Exodus 20:5
Malachi 2:1-2
1 Corinthians 4:2