Hose's Risky Love (Rough Draft)

(S1) — Two stories side by side —

Hose’s risky love —

God ask two things of him

“To enter into a marital relationship with a woman who is simply is not a stay at home and be a good wife and mother. God knows just how unfaithful Gomer will be, and yet how loving Hosea will be in return, despite the fact that she does nothing to deserve her husband’s love.”

To have children in a dysfunctional household...whose names represent the brokenness caused by the rebellious child Israel.

Hosea’ life became the message they need to hear — Today his words become our hope that because of grace, there is always a way home

God’s love for wayward children —

What kind of love is this? Are we deserving of this kind of love? If we have strayed, forgotten, or just lost trust…how do we get back?

Grace is never too far out of reach — It was always only one step away!

1. Confront the reality of our own wondering — unfaithfulness

2. A God who is always trying to get us home — Restore the brokennes

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The Tenderness of God

God’s sorrow over Israels forsaken him

Grandma kiss on the cheek

Hosea 11:1 (NIV)

1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Matthew 2:14-15 “So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.””

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 3: Isaiah–Malachi (10. The Covenant to Be Fulfilled by Divine Love (11:1–11))

“A twofold meaning—a past and a future, the past referring to Israel, the future referring to Jesus.”

Hosea 11:2 (NIV)

But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.

Did not heed the words of the prophets — The ways of God’s redemptive grace were long forgotten

Called out of their life of oppression — New identity — Family — All bound together in God’s covenant of love

What was the essence of this Love?

Away from God’s presence — Distanced themselves by their actions

What drew them away? Why did they refuse the call?

Trying to get close to someone

Hosea 11:8 (NIV)

“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim?

My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.

New Living Translation (Chapter 11)

My heart is torn within me,and my compassion overflows.

New Living Translation (Chapter 11)

I lifted the yoke from his neck,and I myself stooped to feed him.

1. Loving them — The DEPTH (EXTENT) of God’s love for them

Hosea 11:1 (NIV)

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Parent/Child — Infant too early adulthood — Spiritual Maturity

Father/Son — God’s paternal care of his people —

Ephesians 3:18 “together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,”

4. Feeding them —

The one who healed them —

Kindness — Restraining from wrath — Not destroying them

Key Phrases

When we distance ourselves from God…other things fill the void

Hosea 11:5 (NIV)

“Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?