SF400 - HOSEA God's Redeeming Love (Hosea)
SF400
HOSEA
"God's Redeeming Love"
Table of Contents
Lesson One "Introduction/Overview: A Tender Man in a Tangled World" 1/12/94
Lesson Two Hosea 1:2-2:1: "When Life Falls In" 1/19/94
Lesson Three Hosea 2:2-23: "Boundless Love" 2/09/94
Lesson Four Hosea 3:1-5: "Love As God Loves" 2/16/94
Lesson Five Hosea 4:1-19: "A People In Crises" 2/23/94
Lesson Six Hosea 5:1-6:11: "When Being Religious Isn't Right" 3/02/94
Lesson Seven Hosea 7:1-16: "Israel: A Deceitful People 3/16/94
Lesson Eight Hosea 8:1-14; "Reap The Whirlwind" 3/23/94
Lesson Nine Hosea 9:1-10:15, "Time To Seek The Lord" 3/30/94
Lesson Ten Hosea 11:1-12:14, "God's Compassion For His People 4/16/94
Lesson Eleven Hosea 13:1-14:9: "God's Healing Love" 4/20-27/94
INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW
"A Tender Man in a Tangled World"
Hosea 1:1
INTRODUCTION
1A. THE MAN GOD SENT
1B. His Name
Hosea = salvation, same Hebrew word as Joshua
2B. His Background
1C. His family
"the son of Beeri" = we do not know anything about his father.
2C. His occupation
Priest = He had a good knowledge of the work of priest (4:6-8; 5:1; 6:9)
Baker = He refers to the fiery oven (7:4-8)
Farmer = Uses numerous references to agriculture (4:16; 10:12-13)
3B. His Personality
He was the Jeremiah of the Northern Kingdom
Hosea was frank, but refined, in his preaching, and never brought offense to the good taste of his hearers.
4B. His Ministry
Contemporary of Amos
Ministered in Israel (Northern Kingdom)
Spanned the last half of the 8th century BC (~762-722)
Hosea though of God as a loving Father grieving over his erring children.
5B. His Marriage
1C. His wife
"an adulterous wife" = most commentators believe this to be a reference to her character not her lifestyle prior to marriage. She was most likely chaste and then later became involved in and adulterous lifestyle.
2C. His children
"children of unfaithfulness" = they reflected their mother's character. There is some question as to the legitimacy of the last two children.
2A. THE WORLD IN WHICH HOSEA LIVED
1B. Political - Social
1C. Prosperity
Israel enjoyed great prosperity under Jeroboam II.
Hosea's generation had never known defeat or difficulty.
Seldom does prosperity lead to holy living.
2C. Decline
After Jeroboam's death Israel began to quickly decline
Six kings followed in quick succession - only one died of natural causes.
Social injustice was rampant - rich vs. poor
2B. Spiritual - Moral
1C. Pluralism
Rather than riding the land of the sin of Baal worship they allowed it to remain. They thought that the two could co-exist.
Deuteronomy 12:2 (NIV) Destroy completely all the places on the high mountains and on the hills and under every spreading tree where the nations you are dispossessing worship their gods.
Then they tried to combine the worship of God with the practices of Baal worship. They trusted God to defend their land but turned to Baal to feed their families.
2C. Prostitution
They adopted the practice of ritual prostitution. Women engaged in prostitution in order to assure that the land would be fertile. Worship had become nothing but a sex orgy (4:12-14)
OVERVIEW
1A. THE SUMMARY
1B. Two Main Divisions
Hosea's Marriage (1-3)
Hosea's Message (4-14)
2B. Four Themes
God's love
Man's sin
God's judgement
Hope
2A. OUTLINE
1B. Israel's Unfaithfulness Pictured (1-3)
2B. Israel's Sins Proclaimed (4-7)
3B. Israel's Judgement Pronounced (8-10)
4B. Israel's Restoration Promised (11-14)
APPLICATION
1.God is keenly aware of and works in history in order to accomplish His purposes.
2.God does not "jerk" His people around, every event in our lives can and should be used by God to bring glory to God.
3.There are limits to God's patience.
4.God will not tolerate pluralism in worship and service. He demands purity!
5.God is always reaching out in love to redeem and reclaim His wayward people.
6.God is constantly looking for Hoseas.
INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW
"A Tender Man in a Tangled World"
Hosea 1:1
INTRODUCTION
1A. THE MAN GOD SENT
1B. His Name
2B. His Background
3B. His Personality
4B. His Ministry
5B. His Marriage
2A. THE WORLD IN WHICH HOSEA LIVED
1B. Political - Social
2B. Spiritual - Moral
OVERVIEW
1A. THE SUMMARY
1B. Two Main Divisions
Hosea's Marriage (1-3)
Hosea's Message (4-14)
2B. Four Themes
God's love
Man's sin
God's judgement
Hope
2A. OUTLINE
1B. Israel's Unfaithfulness Pictured (1-3)
2B. Israel's Sins Proclaimed (4-7)
3B. Israel's Judgement Pronounced (8-10)
4B. Israel's Restoration Promised (11-14)
Hosea 1:2-2:1
"When Life Falls In"
INTRODUCTION
In the early years of marriage Hosea knew the kind of joy that comes only in a happy home. As time went on, though, shadows of doubt began to arise. At last, the things he suspected about his wife proved true. The roof fell in upon him, bringing an agony that no man knows unless he has walked with such grief. 1
It is when the roof falls in that we need to hear God's Word. The wonderful thing is that is when God speaks most clearly!
1A. GOD'S WORD THROUGH HOSEA'S MARRIAGE
1B. God Begins To Speak (v.2a)
F Hosea's ministry began with tragedy not victory.
FGod choice a difficult circumstance in Hosea's life as the point of reference for his entire ministry
2B. The Ultimate Purpose Of Hosea's Marriage
FIt was not to fulfill love, establish a home, or bring offspring into the world.
FIt was to enable Hosea to understand the relationship between God and His people and to set forth an illustration of that relationship.
2A. GOD'S WORD THROUGH HOSEA'S CHILDREN
The name of each child is linked symbolically with Israel's coming doom.
1B. Jezreel: Judgement Is Sure (1:3-5)
1C.The meaning of the name
FJezreel = "God sows" or "God scatters"
FJezreel is a fertile valley located between Mt. Carmel and the Jordan river
FApproximately 80 years before Hosea's time it had been the site of a bloody episode in which Jehu had gained control of the throne of Israel by killing the reigning kings of Israel and Judah, murdering Jezebel the idolatrous widow of Ahab (2 Kings 10:11) 2
2C.The Judgement To Come
FJehu's house would be removed (1:4) - God promised that Jehu's defendants would rule for four generations - Jeroboam II son would be the fourth and final ruler. He only ruled for a few months.
FThe Northern Kingdom would come to an end. - The kingdom would end within a few years.
FThe broken bow is symbolic of Israel's military strength being destroyed. In fact it was in this very valley Hoshea, Israel's finally king made his last stand here.
2B.Lo-ruhamah: The End Of Mercy
1C.The meaning of the name
FLo-ruhaman = "not pitied" or "without compassion
FCould have referred to the fact that this child was a product of Gomer's adulterous behavior
2C.The significance of the name
FEven God's mercy and compassion has limits.
FGod had lingered with Israel for nearly 200 years.
Amos 2:6-16
FThe people had rejected God for the last time.
3C.Judah given another chance (1:7)
FHowever, God continued to show mercy and grace to Judah, which from time to time experienced revivals under the leadership of the prophets and godly kings.3
FGod would miraculously save Judah from the Assyrians in 701 B.C. in response to Hezekiah's prayer. (2 Kings 19:1-37).
3B.Lo-Ammi: A Broken Covenant
1C.The meaning of the name
FLo-ammi = not my people
2C.The significance of the name
FSignified that the baby was not Hosea's
FSymbolized the breaking of the covenant relationship between God and the people of the Northern Kingdom.
Exo 6:7 (NIV) I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
FThey had broken the covenant with God.
3A.GOD'S WORD OF REASSURING HOPE (1:10-2:1)
1B.Restoration Of The Nation's Strength (1:10)
FBecause to their sin and the consequent exiles the Israelites had dwindled in number.
FGod promises to restore their numbers.
FGod promises to restore their position
2B.Restoration Of The Nation's Sovereignty (1:11)
FThis "one leader" is identified as "David the King"
Hosea 3:5 (NIV) Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.
FWe know this to be the Lord Jesus Christ
Acts 2:22-36
3B.The Restoration Of The Nation's Success (1:11b, 2:1)
1C.A day of triumph (1:11b)
F"the day of Jezreel" = will take on an new meaning - it will no longer refer to God's scattering them in judgement but to God's planting (sowing) them in mercy and grace.3
FThis a direct reference to the Messianic Age, when God will again cause His people to be planted in the land.
2C.A day of hope (2:1)
F"My people" = in contrast with "not My people"
F"My loved one" = in contrast with "no compassion"
APPLICATION
1.Sin is basically against God and His love.
2.Sin brings destruction.
3.God's Word brings life.
4.Putting God first brings love and unity. - We become like the God or gods we worship.
Hosea 1:2-2:1
"When Life Falls In"
INTRODUCTION
1A. GOD'S WORD THROUGH HOSEA'S MARRIAGE
1B. God Begins To Speak (v.2a)
2B. The Ultimate Purpose Of Hosea's Marriage
2A. GOD'S WORD THROUGH HOSEA'S CHILDREN
1B. Jezreel: Judgement Is Sure (1:3-5)
1C.The meaning of the name
2C.The Judgement To Come
2B.Lo-ruhamah: The End Of Mercy
1C.The meaning of the name
2C.The significance of the name
Amos 2:6-16
3C.Judah given another chance (1:7)
3B.Lo-Ammi: A Broken Covenant
1C.The meaning of the name
2C.The significance of the name
Exo 6:7
3A.GOD'S WORD OF REASSURING HOPE (1:10-2:1)
1B.Restoration Of The Nation's Strength (1:10)
Hosea 3:5
Acts 2:22-36
3B.The Restoration Of The Nation's Success (1:11b, 2:1)
1C.A day of triumph (1:11b)
2C.A day of hope (2:1)
APPLICATION
Hosea 2:2-23
"Boundless Love"
INTRODUCTION
In This chapter God is portrayed as the Loving Seeker. The husband who is seeking his adulterous wife.
The symbolism is obvious
FHusband = God
FWife = Israel
FLovers = other gods
FChildren = individual Israelites
1A.A LOVE THAT CONTENDS
1B.We See God Pleading (v.2)
"rebuke" = contend, to litigate
The goal of this lawsuit was not to terminate the marriage but to restore it.
2B.We See God Warning (vv. 3-4)
He Will...
1C.Humble her
"strip her naked and make her as bare as on the day she was born;"
2C.Impoverish her
"I will make her like a desert, turn her into a parched land,"
3C.Cause her to perish
"slay her with thirst."
4C.Abandon her
"I will not show my love to her children,"
3B.God's People Rejecting Him (v.5)
2A.A LOVE THAT CONTINUES
Four results of Israel's sin...
1B.Disappointment (vv.6-7)
1C.God discourages us from sin (v.6)
2C.God disappoints us in our sin (v.7)
2B.Spiritual Blindness (v.8)
She did not "acknowledge" because she had been deceived by the glamour and shallow nature of false worship.4
Our problem is that we forget that we get all things from God!!!
3B.Benefits Lost (vv.9-12)
1C.Loose material blessings (v.9)
Notice the contrast with verse 5.
2C.Their sin will be exposed (v.10)
3C.Worship will end (v.11)
4C.Security and prosperity will vanish (v.12)
4B.God's Punishment Explained (v.13)
3A. A LOVE THAT CONQUERS
1B.A Renewed Wooing (vv. 14-15)
"allure" = Draw back as an act of courtship
"speak tenderly to her" = A heart to heart talk
"Valley of Achor" = Valley of trouble - Achen (Joshua 7:16-16)
2B.A Restored Relationship (vv.16-17)
"husband" = Ishi
"master" = Baali
3B.A Return To The Covenant (vv. 18-20)
1C.A Time of safety (v.18)
2C.A Time of intimacy (vv. 19-20)
"righteousness" = to be straight
"justice" = fair treatment based on a personal relationship
"love" = steadfast loyalty to the covenant
"compassion" = from womb - deep personal attachment to another person
"faithfulness" = to be firm or stable - trustworthiness and reliability
Results in our "acknowledging the Lord"
4B.A Reclaiming Of The Blessing (vv. 21-23)
1C.Material blessings (vv.21-22)
2C.Spiritual blessings (v.23)
F Play on names:
Jezreel = to sow; rummah = compassion, love; ammi = my people
APPLICATION
1.Unclean living is an awful thing!
2.We cannot serve two gods at the same time.
3.The things of the world do not bring real joy.
4.Never forget to true source of your blessings.
5.God is always seeking those who have strayed.
6.God's discipline is designed to bring us back to Him.
Hosea 2:2-23
"Boundless Love"
INTRODUCTION
1A.A LOVE THAT CONTENDS
1B.We See God Pleading (v.2)
2B.We See God Warning (vv. 3-4)
3B.God's People Rejecting Him (v.5)
2A.A LOVE THAT CONTINUES
Four results of Israel's sin...
1B.Disappointment (vv.6-7)
2B.Spiritual Blindness (v.8)
3B.Benefits Lost (vv.9-12)
4B.God's Punishment Explained (v.13)
3A. A LOVE THAT CONQUERS
1B.A Renewed Wooing (vv14-15)
2B.A Restored Relationship (vv.16-17)
3B.A Return To The Covenant (vv. 18-20)
4B.A Reclaiming Of The Blessing (vv. 21-23)
APPLICATION
Hosea 3:1-5
"Love As God Loves"
INTRODUCTION
God is both willing and able to help us. Gomer Hosea's wife, brought tragedy upon herself and her family by her adulterous life-style. She shattered her family and stood hopelessly enslaved in her sin and its consequences.
God's Word is like a coin with two sides. One side is the divine truth, and the other side is our response to the divine truth. Hosea's redemption of Gomer illustrates that we can find power to redeem others, even a wayward mate, in obeying God's command to love as God loves. That is the divine truth. Our response is to be ""Go, show your love...again..."
1A. GOD'S COMMAND TO LOVE AS HE LOVES (v.3:1)
1B.Hosea's Love For Gomer
FMarked by loyalty, compassion, and affectionate yearning.
FThe source of this love is God - supernatural
F"Again" = implies that Hosea had gone before
2B.Gomer's Love For Her Lover
F"Another" = "friend", implies a selfish love ie. lust
3B. God's Love For Israel
FCovenant love - commitment, constancy, care, forgiveness, and forbearance.
4B.Israel's Love For Baal Worship
F"Raisin cakes" = used in the Baal worship.
FRepresented their love and commitment to Baal worship and the sexual sin that was part of it.
Go, Show Your Love Again!
C.I. Schofield - Young Girl, Missions to China - "Because I Love my Lord" - after being on the field she fell in love with the Chinese people.
2A. OBEYING GOD'S COMMAND TO LOVE AS HE LOVES
1B.Hosea Buying Gomer Back (v.2)
FObeying God cost Hosea
FPrice = 30 shekels of silver = the price of a slave
FTook all He had - Christ!
2B.Hosea Winning Gomer Back (v.3)
1C.Hosea's patience
"You are to live with me many days"
2C.Gomer's limits
F"you must not be a prostitute"
F"be intimate with any man"
3C.Hosea's promise
"I will live with you."
3A. VICTORY IN LOVING AS GOD LOVES
1B.Love's discipline For Israel (v.4)
1C.No political independence
F"without king or prince"
2C.No public worship
F"without sacrifice or sacred stones"
3C.No prophecy
F"without ephod or idol"
2B.Love's "Afterward" For Israel (v.5)
F"Afterward" = It is future
F"David their king" = messianic - this is Jesus!
F"return and seek...come trembling" = Repentance and worship
F"His blessings in the last days" = Began with Christ's first coming will find complete fulfillment in His Second Coming!
APPLICATION
1.Love is doing as God commands.
2.Love perseveres to redeem.
3.Love finds opportunity in tragedy.
4.Love will win.
5.A positive response to love opens one's life to the blessings of loving and being loved.
Hosea 3:1-5
"Love As God Loves"
INTRODUCTION
1A. GOD'S COMMAND TO LOVE AS HE LOVES (v.3:1)
1B.Hosea's Love For Gomer
2B.Gomer's Love For Her Lover
3B.God's Love For Israel
4B.Israel's Love For Baal Worship
2A. OBEYING GOD'S COMMAND TO LOVE AS HE LOVES
1B.Hosea Buying Gomer Back (v.2)
2B.Hosea Winning Gomer Back (v.3)
3A. VICTORY IN LOVING AS GOD LOVES
1B.Love's discipline For Israel (v.4)
2B.Love's "Afterward" For Israel (v.5)
APPLICATION
Hosea 4:1-19
"A People In Crises"
INTRODUCTION
The tone and emphasis changes in chapter 4. Hosea's personal life fades into the background and God addresses the nation directly.
Here He deals with the crises that the people have gotten themselves into.
1A. THE CRISES IN THE LAND
1B.Spiritual Crises (v.1)
No...
"faithfulness" = to be reliable
"love" = kindness, steadfast devotion to a covenant relationship
"acknowledgment of God" = personal relationship with God
2B.Social Crises (v.2)
When the spiritual moorings are gone society falls apart.
3B.Environmental Crises (v.3)
Man's sin effects all of God's creation.
Eventually God will completely destroy this creation in because of our sin.
2 Peter 3:12-13 (NIV)
as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
Revelation 21:1 (NIV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
We Have Forgotten God
We are like the spider in the old fable. He lowered himself by a single thread from the top of the barn and spun his web far below. There he lived and grew fat on the insects caught in the web. One day the spider noticed the single thread that extended up from the top of the web and disappeared into the darkness above. He wondered what good came from this old thread. So he cut it, and the spider and web collapsed in a heap on the barn floor.
2A. THE CRISES IN LEADERSHIP
1B.The Seriousness Of The Sin (v.4)
James 3:1 (NIV) Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2B.The Scope Of The Sin (v.5)
Everyone is stumbling - even in daylight!
3B.The Source Of The Sin (v.6)
"rejected knowledge" = rejecting God's Word
1C.Personally - do not read it
2C.Practically - do not live it
4B.The Spread Of The Sin (vv. 7-10)
1C.The sin of the priest (v.7-8)
FThe more priest the more sin
F"glory" = the privilege of serving Him
FThey gained from the sin of the people
2C.The sentence on the people (vv. 9-a)
FGod will punish and repay everyone who sins
FThey will not find fulfillment.
3A. CRISES IN WITH THEIR TESTIMONY
1B. With Their Own Families (vv. 10b-14)
1C.Ungodly lifestyle (vv. 10b-12)
2C.Unholy influence (vv. 13-14)
2B. With Their Neighbors (vv. 15-19)
1C.Because of their sin (v.15)
"Beth-aven" = play on words for Bethel (house of God) - house of deceit
2C.Because of their stubbornness (vv. 16-18)
Continue in sin and refuse to repent
3C.Because of their coming shame (v.19)
APPLICATION
1.A personal relationship with Christ is essential.
2.When God is not served, sin will spread.
3.God holds His leaders responsible for the sins of His people.
4.Our sin will affect all those around us.
Hosea 4:1-19
"A People In Crises"
INTRODUCTION
1A. THE CRISES IN THE LAND
1B.Spiritual Crises (v.1)
2B.Social Crises (v.2)
3B.Environmental Crises (v.3)
2A. THE CRISES IN LEADERSHIP
1B.The Seriousness Of The Sin (v.4)
2B.The Scope Of The Sin (v.5)
3B.The Source Of The Sin (v.6)
4B.The Spread Of The Sin (vv. 7-10)
3A. CRISES IN WITH THEIR TESTIMONY
1B. With Their Own Families (vv. 10b-14)
2B. With Their Neighbors (vv. 15-19)
3C.Because of their coming shame (v.19)
APPLICATION
Hosea 5:1-6:11
When Being Religious Isn't Right
INTRODUCTION
Hosea moves to much of the heart of the matter in chapters five and six. Here he deals with the fact the Israelites had long since replaced their relationship with a living God with religious form.
This continues to be our problem today. We would much rather perform religious duties rather than invest ourselves in a personal relationship! Religion in ours - relationship requires contact with God.
NOTICE THE PROGRESSION OF THIS SECTION...
1A. GOD TRIES TO GET THEIR ATTENTION (5:1-2)
1B. Calls The Priest
2B. Calls The People
3B.Calls The King
2A. GOD TELLS THEM OF THEIR SIN (5:3-7)
1B. They were enamored with their sin (v.3)
2B. They were enslaved by their sin (v.4)
3B. The were entangled by their sin (v.5)
Proverbs 16:18 (NIV) Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
4B. They were ineffective in their worship (v.6)
5B. The were estranged from God (v.7)
3A. GOD TELLS THEM OF THEIR COMING JUDGEMENT (5:8-15)
1B. The judgement will be universal (vv. 8-9)
Ephraim = Israel
Judah
2B. The judgement will be just (vv. 10-12)
They both rebelled
They both would rot
3B. The judgement will be remedial (vv.13-15)
In the end God's people will seek Him!
4A. HOSEA'S CALL TO REPENTANCE (6:1-3)
1B. Call to return (v.1)
Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV) Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?'
2B. Call to revival (v.2)
3B. Call to restoration (v.3)
Key is to acknowledge God!
5A. ISRAEL'S CALLOUSED RESPONSE (6:4-11)
1B. God's frustration with them (vv.4-5)
2B. God's desire for them (v.6)
3B. Israel's disregard of God (vv.7-11)
APPLICATION
1.Moral decay is deadly.
2.Good religious practices are not enough.
3.True repentance is essential.
4.Corporate repentance is necessary for corporate sin.
Hosea 5:1-6:11
When Being Religious Isn't Right
INTRODUCTION
1A. GOD TRIES TO GET THEIR ATTENTION (5:1-2)
1B. Calls The Priest
2B. Calls The People
3B.Calls The King
2A. GOD TELLS THEM OF THEIR SIN (5:3-7)
1B. They were enamored with their sin (v.3)
2B. They were enslaved by their sin (v.4)
3B. The were entangled by their sin (v.5)
4B. They were ineffective in their worship (v.6)
5B. The were estranged from God (v.7)
3A. GOD TELLS THEM OF THEIR COMING JUDGEMENT (5:8-15)
1B. The judgement will be universal (vv. 8-9)
2B. The judgement will be just (vv. 10-12)
3B. The judgement will be remedial (vv.13-15)
4A. HOSEA'S CALL TO REPENTANCE (6:1-3)
1B. Call to return (v.1)
2B. Call to revival (v.2)
3B. Call to restoration (v.3)
5A. ISRAEL'S CALLOUSED RESPONSE (6:4-11)
1B. God's frustration with them (vv.4-5)
2B. God's desire for them (v.6)
3B. Israel's disregard of God (vv.7-11)
APPLICATION
Hosea 7:1-16
Israel: A Deceitful People
INTRODUCTION
During the closing days of His ministry, Jesus lamented over the self-destructive ways of the people of Jerusalem.
Matthew 23:37 (NIV) "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
This tendency toward waywardness had been a characteristic trait of God's people throughout history.
The dilemma Jesus faced is as old as the garden of Eden and as current as tomorrow morning's newscast. God's undeviating purpose in His dealings with the human race is to rescue those who are spiritually lost and dying.
However, often those who need God's help refuse to recognize their need. Like a cancer patient who denies being sick, the sinner who refuses to acknowledge guilt and confess sin effectively renders forgiveness and help impossible. This is what Hosea 7 is all about.2
1A. THEY DENIED GOD ACCESS TO THEIR LIVES (vv. 1-2)
1B.God's Healing was Answered with More Sinning (v.1)
2B.Israel's Refusal...
1C.Does not prevent God's judgement
2C.Will eventually overtake them
2A.THEY DELIGHTED IN THEIR SIN (vv. 3-7)
1B.They enjoyed the "Benefits" of their Sin (v.3)
Proably were receiving kickbacks from the prostitutes etc...
2B.They enjoyed the "Fire" of their Sin (v.4)
They like the passion and excitement of the fleshly sins.
3B.The enjoyed the "Freedom" of their Sin (v.5)
Nothing was "out of bounds" - no black and white.
4B.They enjoyed the "Power" of their Sin (vv. 6-7)
They used their position and religion to control politics
There were involved with political coupes
Of Israel's last six kings only Menahem left the throne by natural death.
3A.THEY DILUTED THEIR COMMITMENT (vv. 8-10)
1B.They were Foolish (v.8)
They had adopted the ways of the world and had gotten burnt.
2B.They were Weakened (v.9)
Sampson
3B.They were Arrogant (v.10)
4A.THEY WERE DISORIENTED ABOUT LIFE (vv. 11-12)
1B.They were Confused (v.11)
Looked everywhere but to God for help.
2B.God was Concerned (v.12)
God takes the iniative to restore them.
5A.THEY WERE DOOMED (vv. 14-16)
Because....
1B.They Rebelled (v.13)
"strayed"
"rebelled"
2B.They lied about God (v.13b)
Said about God things that were not true.
3B.They were Insincere (v.14a)
4B.They tried to manipulate God (v.14b)
Wanted God for what they could get out of it.
5B.They plotted against God (v.15)
Tried to conceive ways to "get around" God's will.
6B.They did not seek God (v.16a)
"faulty bow" = they did not "shoot" straight
7B.Thye had a scoffing Heart (v.16b)
"insolent" = za'am, strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (fig.) fury (espec. of God's displeasure with sin):‑‑angry, indignation, rage.
APPLICATION
1.Deceit destroys the fabric of a society
2.Greed and deceit often go together.
3.Political deceit mirrors a society that has replaced integrity with self-interest.
4.Adultery is the ultimate expression of deceit in human relations.
5.Christians in every generation are tempted to adopt the ideas and practices non-Christian society.
Hosea 7:1-16
Israel: A Deceitful People
INTRODUCTION
1A. THEY DENIED GOD ACCESS TO THEIR LIVES (vv. 1-2)
2A.THEY DELIGHTED IN THEIR SIN (vv. 3-7)
1B.They enjoyed the "Benefits" of their Sin (v.3)
2B.They enjoyed the "Fire" of their Sin (v.4)
3B.The enjoyed the "Freedom" of their Sin (v.5)
4B.They enjoyed the "Power" of their Sin (vv. 6-7)
3A.THEY DILUTED THEIR COMMITMENT (vv. 8-10)
1B.They were Foolish (v.8)
2B.They were Weakened (v.9)
3B.They were Arrogant (v.10)
4A.THEY WERE DISORIENTED ABOUT LIFE (vv. 11-12)
1B.They were Confused (v.11)
2B.God was Concerned (v.12)
5A.THEY WERE DOOMED (vv. 14-16)
Because....
1B.They Rebelled (v.13)
2B.They lied about God (v.13b)
3B.They were Insincere (v.14a)
4B.They tried to manipulate God (v.14b)
5B.They plotted against God (v.15)
6B.They did not seek God (v.16a)
7B.Thye had a scoffing Heart (v.16b)
APPLICATION
Hosea 8:1-14
Reap The Whirlwind!
INTRODUCTION
The Chicago Fire
October 8, 1871 - Catherine O'Leary's cow. Cause and effect 250 people died, 100,000 were homeless, $200,000,000.
The harvest law is threefold.
We reap what we sow.
We reap later than we sow.
We reap more than we sow.
Five Harvests That Israel Will Face...
1A. HARVEST OF REJECTING GOD (vv.1-3)
1B. Warning Of Imminent Destruction (v.1)
"Trumpet" = Used to warn of approaching enemy
Ezekiel 33:3-4 (NIV) and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, 4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not take warning and the sword comes and takes his life, his blood will be on his own head.
"An eagle" = Literally "the eagle;" referred to the coming Assyrian and Babylonian invaders
Deuteronomy 28:49 (NIV) The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand,
The reason for the judgement - "have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law"
2B. Wasted Confession (vv.2-3)
The outward confession did not match the inward condition.
2A. HARVEST OF SELF-WILL (vv.4-7)
Israel rebelled in two ways...
1B.Illegitimate Kingdom and Kings (v.4a)
1C.Purpose of the kingdom
To chastise the house of David
1 Kings 11:39 (NIV) I will humble David's descendants because of this, but not forever.'"
2C.Problem of the kingdom
From the beginning (Jeroboam I) they did not follow God
2B.Illegitimate Worship (vv.4b-6)
1C.Idols were and expression of Israel's self-will
Separated them from God
1 Corinthians 6:9 (NIV) Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
2C.The calves were meant to replace the ark or God Himself
This had left them impure!
3B.Inevitable Results (v.7)
1C.The seriousness of the judgement (v.7a)
"whirlwind" = God's coming judgement on sin
Isaiah 66:15 (NIV) See, the LORD is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
Nahum 1:3 (NIV) The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.
2C.The certainty of the judgement (v.7b)
3A.HARVEST OF COMPROMISING WITH THE WORLD (vv. 8-10)
1B.The Cost Of Compromise (v.8)
"worthless" = broken pottery
2B.The Consequences Of Compromise (vv.9-10)
All alone - no guidance, no help
Sold like a prostitute
Oppressed by an ungodly king
4A.HARVEST OF CORRUPT WORSHIP (vv. 11-13)
Eagle - Badger story. (Badger ripped out his heart)
1B.Sinful Sacrifices (v.11)
2B.Ignored God's Word (v.12)
3B.Had Form Without Feeling (v.13a)
4B.Headed For Exile (v.13b)
5A.HARVEST OF FORGETTING GOD (v.14)
"forgotten" = to leave something or someone from forgetfulness.
They had forgotten...
to fear, worship and serve God.
to praise God for His blessings
that God would judge them for their sin.
that God would fulfill His promises to them even if that required chastising them.
So they relied on...
Palaces and politics
Fortresses and armies
They found that these failed!
APPLICATION
1.Forgetting God must be easy; so many people do it.
2.Many people are confused about the good life.
3.We will reap what we sow!
4.When we harden our hearts we risk God's condemnation and ultimate judgement.
Hosea 8:1-14
Reap The Whirlwind!
INTRODUCTION
Five Harvests That Israel Will Face...
1A. HARVEST OF REJECTING GOD (vv.1-3)
1B. Warning Of Imminent Destruction (v.1)
2B. Wasted Confession (vv.2-3)
2A. HARVEST OF SELF-WILL (vv.4-7)
1B.Illegitimate Kingdom and Kings (v.4a)
2B.Illegitimate Worship (vv.4b-6)
3B.Inevitable Results (v.7)
3A.HARVEST OF COMPROMISING WITH THE WORLD (vv. 8-10)
1B.The Cost Of Compromise (v.8)
2B.The Consequences Of Compromise (vv.9-10)
4A.HARVEST OF CORRUPT WORSHIP (vv. 11-13)
1B.Sinful Sacrifices (v.11)
2B.Ignored God's Word (v.12)
3B.Had Form Without Feeling (v.13a)
4B.Headed For Exile (v.13b)
5A.HARVEST OF FORGETTING GOD (v.14)
APPLICATION
Hosea 9:1-10:15
Time To Seek The Lord
INTRODUCTION
Man Committing Suicide
Hershel Ford told of a man who committed suicide by cutting himself loose from his ascending hot-air balloon. As the balloon ascended, the people say him cut one of the three ropes holding the basket to the balloon. In spite of their pleas, he cut the last two ropes and fell to his death.
That is what Israel did!
Psalms 33:12 (NIV) Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.
Proverbs 14:34 (NIV) Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
The Assyrian invasion has begun - Judgement is at Hand!
Hosea Tells Us Why...
1A. ISRAEL'S DEPRAVITY (9:1-9)
Key 9:7 - Judgement had come; it was sure!
1B.Judgement For Spiritual Harlotry (vv.1-6)
1C.Israel's basic sin (v.1)
They had lost their distinctive character.
FFaith in one God.
FLifestyle based on God's Word.
2C.God's judgement
1D.He would take away their harvest (v.2)
2D.He would exile them (v.3)
3D.He would place them in captivity (like Egypt) (v.3b)
4D.He would end their wicked worship (v.4)
5D.He would cut off their feast days (vv.5-6a)
6D.They would die in captivity (v.6b)
Memphis was Egypt's burial grounds.
7D.He would destroy their idols (v.6c)
2B.Judgement For Rejecting God's Prophet (vv.7-8)
1C.How the Israelites responded to Hosea
1D.They did not honor him
2D.They scorned and hated him and plotted his downfall.
3D.They dismissed him as a fool a maniac - a fanatic.
2C.Why they rejected him
1D.Because of the multitude of their sins
2D.Because of their hostility toward God.
3B.Judgement For Depravity (v.9)
Gibeah
Sexual perversion (Judges 19:22,25)
Unrepentant sin (Judges 20:12-13)
Certain Judgement (Judges 20:46-48)
2A.ISRAEL'S PERSISTENT REBELLION (9:10-17)
1B.Israel's Shame At Baal-peor (vv.10-14)
1C.God's delight (v.10a)
"grapes in the desert" - unexpected pleasure
"early fruit" - the best
2C.Israel's decline (v.10b)
Early idolatry (Numbers 25:1-5)
3C.God's judgement (vv.11-14)
1D.Departed glory - children
2D.Departure of God (v.12)
3D.Destroyed lives (vv.13-14)
2B.Israel's Stubborn Rebellion At Gilgal (vv.15-17)
1C.Their Sin - Gilgal
1D.They rejected God as king (1 Samuel 8:5-8)
2D.They refused to repent (1 Samuel 8:9-22)
3D.They took worship into their own hands (1 Samuel 11:15; 13:8-14)
4D.They offered sacrifices instead of service (1 Samuel 15:21-23)
2C.God's Statements
"I hated them" (v.15)
"I will drive them out..." (v.15)
"I will no longer love them..." (v.15)
3A.ISRAEL'S DIVIDED HEART (10:1-11)
1B.Israel Had A Bad Heart
"deceitful" = Divided or slippery
2B.Evidence and Results Of Their Divided Heart
1C.Seen in their increased idol worship (v.1)
2C.Caused them to "bear their guilt" (v.2)
3C.Lost confidence in their king, but did not turn to God (v.3-4)
4C.Their idols will be carried away by the Assyrians (vv.5-6)
5C.Government and religion will fail to the Assyrians (vv.7-8)
6C.God's judgement is sure (vv.9-10)
7C.Days of ease are gone (v.11)
4A.ISRAEL'S REFUSAL TO REPENT (10:12-15)
1B.A Call For Repentance (v.12)
1C.Repent - "break up unplowed ground..."
2C.Replant - "Sow..."
3C.Reap - "reap the fruit..."
2B.The Consequence Of No Repentance (vv.13-15)
"You have reaped evil..." (v.13)
"the roar of battle...devastated" (v.14)
"...completely destroyed" (v.15)
APPLICATION
Persistent sin leads to destruction.
Sinners sometimes treat God's messengers with contempt
Sin always goes from bad to worse.
James 1:15 (NIV) Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
The judgement on sin is separation from God
Now is the urgent time to seek the Lord.
Proverbs 29:1 (NIV) A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed--without remedy.
Hosea 9:1-10:15
Time To Seek The Lord
INTRODUCTION
1A. ISRAEL'S DEPRAVITY (9:1-9)
Key 9:7 - Judgement had come; it was sure!
1B.Judgement For Spiritual Harlotry (vv.1-6)
2B.Judgement For Rejecting God's Prophet (vv.7-8)
3B.Judgement For Depravity (v.9)
2A.ISRAEL'S PERSISTENT REBELLION (9:10-17)
1B.Israel's Shame At Baal-peor (vv.10-14)
2B.Israel's Stubborn Rebellion At Gilgal (vv.15-17)
3A.ISRAEL'S DIVIDED HEART (10:1-11)
1B.Israel Had A Bad Heart
2B.Evidence and Results Of Their Divided Heart
4A.ISRAEL'S REFUSAL TO REPENT (10:12-15)
1B.A Call For Repentance (v.12)
2B.The Consequence Of No Repentance (vv.13-15)
APPLICATION
Hosea 11-12:14
God's Compassion For His People
INTRODUCTION
Compassion and Concern
Compassion and Concern were passengers on an ocean liner. A man feel overboard, Concern cried, "Man overboard!" Compassion cried, "Man overboard!" but jump in to save him.
Focus of 11-14 is God's faithful and righteous love for His people and His desire to rescue them.
This is a foreshadow of Christ!
Review
God's faithful love for Israel (1:1-3:5)
God's indictment against Israel (4:1-7:16)
God's sure judgement of Israel (8:1-10:15)
God's healing love and Israel's redemption (11:1-14:9)
1A. GOD'S NURTURING LOVE (11:1-14)
1B. God's Love in Choosing and Caring For Israel (v.1)
Love here describes God's redemptive action for Israel
God loved Israel like a Father
2B. God's Love in Spite of Israel's Deceit (vv.2-4)
1C. Israel's deceit described
FAs a prodigal son (11:2)
FAs an unfaithful wife (1:2, 2:2,3:1)
FAs a stubborn heifer (4:16)
2C.God's love described
FAs a father (v.3)
FAs a husband (v.4a)
FAs a farmer (v.4b)
2A. GOD'S PROMISE OF RESTORATION (11:5-11)
1B. Results of Rejecting God's Love (vv.5-7)
1C. The Assyrian Captivity (v.5)
2C. The continued desolation of Israel (v.6)
3C.Total isolation from God (v.7)
"Most High" refers to God - They have hard hearts and He knows it.
2B. God's Persistent Love for Israel (vv.8-9)
1C.Seen in His heart (v.8)
Admah and Zeboiim were destroyed with Sodom. God loves Israel too much to treat her like that.
2C.Seen in His holiness (v.9)
His holiness demands justice but His compassion brings mercy.
3B. The Triumph of God's Love (vv.10-11)
1C.He will be victorious (v.10a)
2C.His people will be obedient (vv.10b-11)
This is still future!
3A. GOD CALLS TO A REBELLIOUS PEOPLE (11:12-12:6)
1B.Israel's Deceit and Treachery (11:12-12:1)
1C.Israel committed political adultery
2C.Israel's efforts are futile
"Feed on the wind..."
2B.An Example of Rebellion and Return (12:2-6)
1C.Jacob the trickster (vv.2-4)
FHe was self - serving (v.3a)
FHe was self - willed (v.3b-4)
2C.God the redeemer (vv.5)
This is God's personal, covenant name!
3C.The way back to God (v.6)
FRepent of their sin
FRemain in God's way
FRely on God alone
"wait" = to weave your life completely around God
4A. GOD REVEALS HIS REDEMPTION OF HIS REBELLIOUS PEOPLE (12:7-14)
1B. The Core of Their Corruption (vv. 7-8)
They set their focus on success - not God!
They equated "wealth" with holiness.
2B. God's Method of Redemption (vv.9-14)
1C.Judgement (v.9)
They will be exiles again!
2C.Revelation (v.10)
3C.Redeemer (vv.11-14)
FThe futility of their efforts (vv.11-12)
FThe future redeemer - Jesus Christ
Deu 18:15 (NIV) The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.
Acts 3:20-22 (NIV) and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you‑‑even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.
APPLICATION
God lovingly seeks to care for and lead people in the ways of life.
Sin breaks the heart of God.
A changed life is possible by God's grace and power.
God calls His people to practice kindness and justice.
Christ is the fulfillment of God's promises to all men!
Hosea 11-12:14
God's Compassion For His People
INTRODUCTION
1A. GOD'S NURTURING LOVE (11:1-14)
1B. God's Love in Choosing and Caring For Israel (v.1)
2B. God's Love in Spite of Israel's Deceit (vv.2-4)
2A. GOD'S PROMISE OF RESTORATION (11:5-11)
1B. Results of Rejecting God's Love (vv.5-7)
2B. God's Persistent Love for Israel (vv.8-9)
3B. The Triumph of God's Love (vv.10-11)
3A. GOD CALLS TO A REBELLIOUS PEOPLE (11:12-12:6)
1B.Israel's Deceit and Treachery (11:12-12:1)
2B.An Example of Rebellion and Return (12:2-6)
4A. GOD REVEALS HIS REDEMPTION OF HIS REBELLIOUS PEOPLE (12:7-14)
1B. The Core of Their Corruption (vv. 7-8)
2B. God's Method of Redemption (vv.9-14)
APPLICATION
Hosea 13:1-14:9
God's Healing Love
INTRODUCTION
These closing two chapters serve as a synopsis of the entire book.
The book of Hosea focuses on the sure judgement of God on the stubbornly sinful nation of Israel.
However, mixed with the messages of judgement are messages of hope.
God's judgements are sometimes punitive; that is, those who persistently reject God's love are eventually condemned to reap what they have sown.
But as long as sinners have the possibility of repentance, God's judgments have a redemptive purpose.
God uses both blessings.
Romans 2:4 "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?"
And chastisement
Hebrews 12:11-12 "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees."
To show His love and call His people to repentance.
Notice Hosea's Review...
1A.ISRAEL'S DECLINE (13:1-16)
1B.From Glory to Shame (13:1-3)
1C.Lost their ministry (v.1)
2C.Lost their faith (v.2)
3C.Lost their souls (v.3)
2B.From God as Deliverer to God as Destroyer (13:4-8)
1C.God as deliverer (vv. 4-6)
FGod as the redeemer (v.4)
FGod as the protector (v.5)
FGod as the provider (v.6a)
FIsrael as the ungrateful child (v.6b)
2C.God as destroyer (vv.7-8)
FRavage the flock (v.7a, 8b)
FSurprise the flock (v.7b)
FHe will be ruthless (v.8)
3B.From God as King to Destructive Leaders (vv. 9-11)
1C.Turning to others for help means that we turn from God. (v.9)
2C.Sometimes it would be better not to get what we ask for. (vv10-11)
4B.Judgment is Sure, But Not Final (vv.12-16)
1C.God keeps good records (v.12)
2C.Some will resist God even when He sends great pain. (v.13)
3C.God's ultimate desire is redemption (v.14)
4C.Because we refuse to repent, Judgment is sure! (vv15-16)
Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC
2A.ISRAEL'S DELIVERANCE (14:1-9)
1B.A Call To True Repentance (vv.1-3)
Trip Through Atlanta
When does one truly repent?
When you turn around and go back to where you got off and get back on track!
1C.Corporate repentance begins with individual repentance.
2C.True repentance requires that we take personal responsibility for our sins.
3C.True repentance involves a change of attitude and action.
2B.Life After True Repentance (vv.4-8)
1C.God will heal us of our tendency to sin (v.4)
2C.God will love us freely (v.4b)
3C.God will bless us greatly (vv. 5-8)
FWith spiritual growth (vv.5-6)
FRestore our influence (v. 7)
FRestore our fruitfulness (v.8)
3B.A Word to the Wise (v.9)
Listen
Discern
Obey
APPLICATION
God promises healing to the repentant
God's love is both tender and tough
Repentance means changing direction in life
God's redemptive purpose will triumph
Hosea 13:1-14:9
God's Healing Love
INTRODUCTION
1A.ISRAEL'S DECLINE (13:1-16)
1B.From Glory to Shame (13:1-3)
2B.From God as Deliverer to God as Destroyer (13:4-8)
3B.From God as King to Destructive Leaders (vv. 9-11)
4B.Judgment is Sure, But Not Final (vv.12-16)
2A.ISRAEL'S DELIVERANCE (14:1-9)
1B.A Call To True Repentance (vv.1-3)
2B.Life After True Repentance (vv.4-8)
3B.A Word to the Wise (v.9)
APPLICATION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 "Hosea: Prophet of Reconciliation," Fred M. Wood; Convention Press, 1975
2 "Hosea: God's Redeeming Love, " Gene Henderson; Convention Press, 1993.
3 "Hosea: God's Redeeming Love," John Traylor; Convention Press, 1993
4 "Hosea: Prophet of Reconciliation," Fred M. Wood; Convention Press, 1975