Prophet of Love HOSEA

OVERVIEW Prophet to northern kingdom – occasional ref to Judah Israel at its most powerful – during its last 40 years Contemporary with Isaiah and Micah Conditions during his work Started ok but deteriorated rapidly Chapter 4:1-2 Constant conspiracy – only one of last 6 kings dies naturally From 750 to 725 BC God used Hosea’s own family to illustrate His relationship with Israel

HOSEA’S CALL, CHAPTERS 1-3

CHAPTER 1 – FAMILY V. 1-9 Actual situation or figurative Supporters of both sides Lean toward actual – why make all this up? Did God tell or direct Hosea to marry prostitute? Some say yes – repulsive to Hebrew – not to others Very well could have been that she turned bad and God used situation

CHAPTER 1 (CONT) Children’s names Jezreel – vengence Lo-ruhamah – uncompassioned Lo-ammi – not my people v – Prophesy Eventually come back to God – chapter 3:5 Ever happen? Certainly “spiritual” Israel has

CHAPTER 2 V. 1-7 – infidelity V – all taken away V – God will take them back

CHAPTER 3 – PURCHASE OF GAMON V. 3 has tremendous application God’s children will always, eventually come back

HOSEA’S MESSAGE – CHAPTERS 4-14 Chapter 4 – sins of priests Chapter 5 – God’s wrath toward leaders Chapter 6 – plea for repentance Chapter 7 & 8 – sins of Israel Chapter 9 – punishment will be captivity Chapter 10 – more retribution Chapter 11 – Israel’s ingratitude and God’s remorse Chapter 12 – reproof of Judah as well as Israel Chapter 13 – Idolitry continued Chapter 14 – plea for repentance/ promise of blessing

ISRAEL’S STEPS OR PROGRESSION TO ITS DOWNFALL

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE Chapter 4:6 Do not know God’s law Chapter 4:11, Heart is intelligence Have to know God’s rules and will for us today

PRIDE Chapter 5:5 No place for pride/arrogance with God’s people We have no reason/basis for pride

INSINCERITY Chapter 6:4, not stable/shallow (parable of the sower) Chapter 6:6 God wants us to mean what we do Going through motions is not enough Any parallels today? How can we tell? What happens when things get tough?

WORLDLINESS Chapter 7:8 – has formed alliances with heathens “cake not turned”? Raw on one side, burned on other Lesson for today? Do not sell out for world, be complete, do not neglect any aspect of our Christian responsibility

CORRUPTION Chapter 9:9 Allowed their religion to be watered down – polluted Sound familiar? In worship In definition of “church” How do we avoid this? Know Bible Accept it Submit to it

BACKSLIDING Chapter 11:7 Chapter 11:6, were seeking advisers other than God Today? – what influences us God still forgiving, chapter 11:8

IDOLATRY Chapter 13:2 Gone completely from God Apply to us? Yes! We have our own idols – what we trust; where we spend time/money; look to for leadership

ALWAYS THERE FOR US Chapter 14:1-2, 4 Same today, God always there How do we get forgiveness

SOME KEY OR MEMORABLE PASSAGES Chapter 6:6 – Goodness and not sacrifice quoted by Christ, Matt 9:13, 12:7 Chapter 6:3 – follow on to know Jehovah Chapter 8:7 – sow wind, reap whirlwind, Gal. 6:7 Chapter 10:12 – time to seek Jehovah Chapter 13:4 – besides me there is no savior Chapter 14:9 – Who is wise? Same as closing statements of Ezekiel, Nahum, and Zephaniah Wise will obey God