Hosea

Aim: God longs to redeem His wayward people.

I. God’s Love Restores- Hosea 11-14 9

THROUGH COMPASSIONATE LOVE

Moving into 3rd and final portion of scripture

We are going to see we see God’s compassionate love for his people that leads to restoration of relationship with him

in chp 11.

Hosea is showing Israel that God’s love is not a theoretical concept

God’s love is not just empty words...

His love is visible..shown in his consistent faithfulness to Israel despite their continuous rebellion of Him.

Hosea here helps them do some self-reflection while also weaving in this picture of a Father/Son relationship…the relationship God has with his people

in vs. 1 and 2- Hosea takes them all the way back to the book of Exodus when God delivered them out of Egypt- out of bondage.

and when God called them out, well, Israel turned from the one who had just delivered them....they turned from God and started worshipping false Gods.

So, as a consequence of their sin…God sent them to wander in the desert..but

in vs 3…Hosea points out how God didnt leave them there…they were in the wilderness as a result of their own sin,

God didn’t say “welp, figure it out...” instead, he compassionately, and lovingly walked alongside them...

He taught them, led them, and sent down food to feed them.

just like any loving parent would do for their child.

My youngest is 3 and still needs my help for basic daily living tasks…however, despite her literal need for my help, she is quite confident that she does not need me...

she frequently states “I do it myself”

which is usually followed with her extreme frustration when she cannot in fact “do it herself.”…but despite the fact that she needs me…she is DETERMINED to figure it out on her own.

in 11:5-7, we see this same determination in Israel- Israel refused to repent so they will wind up back in captivity, this time in Assyria...

8- we again see God’s compassionate heart on display…he says

How can I give you up

How can I hand you over

....ALL my compassion is aroused...

Despite Israel’s determination, to turn from God, he can never bring himself to stop compassionately loving them, from pursuing them.

why....because it isn’t in his nature- in vs. 9 he says “I am God, not man”…

the reality is- in our humanness- we give up on people- but our God never gives up on us

DESPITE CONTINUOUS SIN

in chp. 12 and 13....we see Israel’s sin towards God is ongoing....but so is God’s compassionate love for them.

His heart breaks as they continuously say “I do it myself” and continue on in the sin and rebellion from Him.

In 11:12-13:3 we see Israel’s sin laid out-: their deceit, injustice, hardness, ingratitude and idolatry.

and in 13:4-13: God’s punishment for their continuous sin towards Him…His discipline for Israel’s sin is declared.

God’s purpose is in discipline of their sin is ultimately to save them.

God is disciplining but not out of anger…its out of love.

I know that if I don’t discipline my children- then they will continue in their self-destructive ways.

I teach my child not to run in the street because it’s dangerous- it could cost her, her life- and to make sure she doesnt do it again-to help her see that she was headed for destruction- I discipline her- out of my love for her- to save her.

My goal is to lead her to life, not death.

c. 13:14-14:9- THROUGH Redemption

Our God is no different. in 13:14, God says “I will deliver this people from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death.”

This promise of redemption has been modeled in Hosea’s life as He bought back Gomer- his unfaithful wife- and gave her life with Him.

God- sent his son Jesus to buy us back- his unfaithful people- and give us life in return.

When Jesus died his blood was poured out. In order for us to have life, it comes with a cost- and while Jesus’ blood brought us life it cost him His.

When I do not believe I need redemption, I am convinced I can “do it myself” and I’m oblivious to the impact my personal sin has for my life and for eternity. If Christ does not redeem me, I am left to do it on my own.

When I believe that Jesus died to redeem me, then I find life and freedom as I obey and can joyfully serve out of my love for God- not to earn his love or buy it.

How does knowing God’s compassionate redeeming love for you change the way you live?

As we move into our final chp., chp 14, Hosea pleads with Israel to return to God followed by a promise of restoration.

in vs 14:4 God says “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely...”

Don’t miss the two words at the start of that verse… “I will....”

these 2 words are repeated over and over and over again in this book..

If God says he will do it then we can trust that he will be faithful to complete it.

in vs. 4 God promises to HEAL their waywardness...

How does HE does this…by offering us redemption....

We bring nothing but sin to God…God is the one who redeems us, who heal’s us from our sin-

this isn’t a temporary bandage that will need replaced next time we screw up- this redemption is once and for all- it penetrates the heart and once you are redeemed- you are redeemed forever..

Our job is not to redeem- we can’t- and God doesn’t ask us to. He already did it- by sending his son. by sending Jesus.

But Hosea’s plea in vs. 1-3 shows that your response to God’s redemption should be to return to him.

To acknowledge your sin before Him and receive the blessing of a redeemed life by believing in what Christ did on the cross for you...and letting Christ be Lord over your life…

this picture of needing healing shows the realities of the brokenness that sin brings to our lives…

But God longs to restore…and vs. 5-8 give us a picture of God’s heart of restoration-

As I look outside right now, I see these verses literally coming to life...

the dead of winter is being replaced by the blossoming of the lilies.

God’s people will flourish like the growth of a tree as it takes root and grows bigger

as the leaves are budding there is now shade and protection from the hot sun

This is what restoration looks like- the dead coming to life…things flourishing and being made right in the world.

When God redeems, he restores…and what does he restore us to?

Himself…sin breaks our relationship with Him- but when Jesus paid the debt for our sin he made a way for us to have a relationship with our Father...

because only in right relationship with Him- do we find true and everlasting life.

Truth: God’s redeeming love restores His children to right relationship with Him.

- What does my sin, or my waywardness, reveal about my understanding of God’s relational love for me?

Are you living redeemed- Have you accepted the gracious redemption of Jesus offered to you on the cross?

Or, are you continuing to live life with a “do it yourself” attitude?rebelling and turning from him- headed for destruction.

Choose life. Choose Jesus. and Walk in restored relationship with your loving Father today.