“When Will You Ever Learn?”

Series: God Speaks

Text: Hosea 7:13-8:6

Introduction: (What?)

Just as a parent gets exasperated by a strong-willed child that constantly resists obeying, God was exasperated with Israel and is now exasperated with so-called Believers. Time after time He has warned them, and yet they still go their own way. They have His promise of blessing for their obedience, and yet they disobey. When will they (we) ever learn?

Examination: (Why?)

1. God’s heart is hurting. (Hos 7:13-16)

Hos 7:13-16 “Woe to them, for they fled from me; destruction to them, for they rebelled against me! Though I want to redeem them, they speak lies against me. They do not cry to me from their hearts; rather, they wail on their beds. They slash themselves for grain and new wine; they turn away from me. I trained and strengthened their arms, but they plot evil against me. They turn, but not to what is above; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent tongue. They will be ridiculed for this in the land of Egypt.”

We probably never think about God being hurt by our disobedience. But when we pause to think that He wants to be called “Father” and He created mankind for Himself, we recognize that just like any parent, He can be hurt. Think for a moment about His words here in regard to your own children.

They rebelled against Me

They speak lies against Me

They do not cry to Me from their hearts

They slash themselves (thinking that the “gods” will be pleased)

They turn away from Me

They plot evil against Me

If this were the case with your children, don’t you think that your heart would hurt? You brought them into the world; you protected and provided for them, and yet they turned away from you. Even though your warned them of the consequences, they refused to listen to you.

The consequences of the behavior of the Israelites were; inability to function, (just like a faulty bow) seeing their leaders slaughtered, being ridiculed for their behavior even among the pagans.

2. Rejection! (8:1-3)

Hos 8:1-3 “Put the ram’s horn to your mouth! One like an eagle comes against the house of the Lord, because they transgress my covenant and rebel against my law. Israel cries out to me, “My God, we know you!” Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will pursue him.”

The ram’s horn (shophar) was used to sound an alarm or to call the people to gather for a special announcement or event. The announcement in this case was that “one like an eagle” (vulture; large bird; the same Hebrew word is used for both). “comes against the house of the LORD, because they (Israelites) transgress My covenant and rebel against My law.” This referenced an invader, most likely Assyria which stood ready to invade Israel and devour her. The reason was because Israel was trying to worship idols and cry out to God at the same time. The “house of the LORD” could refer to the temple or to Jerusalem either one. Their cry was “My God, we know You!” but evidently they didn’t. They had broken their covenant with God (Hos 6:7 “But they, like Adam, have violated the covenant; there they have betrayed me.” That reminds me of something we will see later in Matt 7:22-23 “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’”

Because Israel rejected what is good, God would allow an enemy to pursue them. This should be a wake up call to America. We have rebelled against God in so many ways and yet we cry out “we know You; we are a Christian nation”. There are many pagan nations that would pursue America if and when God removes His hand of protection. The only thing that stands between us and the invasion of an enemy is the restraining hand of God.

3. Disobedience and false gods (vv 4-6)

Hos 8:4-6 “They have installed kings, but not through me. They have appointed leaders, but without my approval. They make their silver and gold into idols for themselves for their own destruction. Your calf-idol is rejected, Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? For this thing is from Israel— a craftsman made it, and it is not God. The calf of Samaria will be smashed to bits!”

The parallel between the Northern Kingdom of that day and America of this day is astounding.

They “installed kings, but not through Me”; We have elected presidents without God’s guidance.

They “appointed leaders, but without My approval”; we have elected to congress those who openly oppose God and His commands.

They “make silver and gold into idols”; we worship the almighty dollar and constantly pursue wealth.

They worshipped a calf idol; we worship many false gods such as fame, fortune, recreation,ease, athletes; musicians, actors, politicians, and on and on.

The end result for Israel was that the anger of God burned against them. How long will it be until the anger of God burns against America? They had lost their innocence which is freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil : being blameless. We are well acquainted with evil and have long ago lost our innocence. God said that Israel was “incapable of innocence”. He might say the same about us.

Application (How should I respond to this message?)

The only way we will escape the anger of God is REPENTANCE.

Many who think they are Christians really aren’t. They have never surrendered their lives to Christ.

Some who once followed God with all their heart have now fallen away. They must heed the call to “repent and return to the LORD”. That is called REVIVAL.