What the Minors Say About Our Majors Hosea 14:9 “The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them. . .”

Background Prophets told Solomon his kingdom would be divided Hosea instructed to marry a prostitute Jezreel – fulfill prophecy regarding Jehu Lo-Ruhamah – “I will no longer show love” Lo-Ammi – “you are not my people, and I am not your God”

“Lack” of Knowledge “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” (4:6): lack of obedience to knowledge of God No faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God Cursing, lying, murder, stealing, adultery, bloodshed Affects both the church and the world (4:2-5)

“Lack” of Knowledge Spiritual adultery Spirit of prostitution leads astray (4:10) “Love” God and we love the world Judgment against the priests (5)

Call to Repentance Twice Paid (6:1-3) Hosea married and then bought her “at the going price” – Chap 3 We were created by God, and then bought by Christ’s blood Spring and winter rains Delight in loyalty and knowledge (6:6) Not sacrifices and burnt offerings Confessing vs. repentant (learn from the past)

Compromise Ephraim compromised with nations (7:11) Jereboam established the kingdom on falsehoods Blame God because He doesn’t answer They pushed Him out – spiritual prostitution Worshipped the golden calves / Baal worship “Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind” Spoken out of anger – reap a hurricane

Compromise Sold themselves to the nations The prophet a fool; the inspired man a maniac (9:8) They are made watchman over Israel We become what we worship! (9:10) God allows people to become what they pursue (9:17; 10:2)

Seek His Kingdom Break up the fallow ground (10:12) “clods” of dirt broken by working the soil Areas of hardness that need breaking Seek him until he rains righteousness upon us (10:12; 11:6) Return to observe His kindness and justice “. . . I will ransom; I will redeem. . .” (13:14) “O death, where are your thorns, O Sheol, where is your sting?”

Seek His Kingdom “The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them”

Personal Application Indicative of our day Started back in the mid to late ‘60’s Promiscuity, drugs, etc. Little by little, precept by precept Lost a little here and a little there

Personal Application Hard to regain If we turn and pursue righteousness God will hear us. Rain upon us Spring and Winter rain Former and the latter rain Look at our loyalty and obedience