1. Cedar Trees Hosea 14: 1-9

2. Cedar Trees - Hosea 14: 1-9 Cedar is beautiful wood. It looks good, smells good, and feels good. Cedar trees have deep roots- Strong, secure Hosea is interesting and unusual prophet -God’s had him marry an adulterous wife -God had him take her back - often -Strange names for their children

3. Cedar Trees - Hosea 14: 1-9 Hosea gave real-life picture: -of the unfaithfulness of God’s people -the faithfulness and love of God toward them despite their sin. Hosea teaching the intimate covenant relationship between God and them: -husband-wife relationship 1st part of book -by the father-child relationship later.

4. Cedar Trees - Hosea 14: 1-9 God consistently uses His prophets: -proclaim punishment and destruction if they do not turn away from their sinfulness -and to offer great blessing if they return to Him in obedience and love. “Take words…”, NOT ritual sacrifices, NOT empty professions, NOT costly sacrifices, NOT just your money, God wants words of heartfelt penitence.

5. Cedar Trees - Hosea 14: 1-9 God loves showing love and forgiveness with visual and sensual images from nature. He will nourish His people like the dew not “like the early dew that disappears (6:4, 13:3),” Dew that is constant, abundant, refreshing, and plentiful. The returned wanderer ‘blossom like a lily.’ productive lily, 1 root can produce 50 bulbs!

6. Cedar Trees - Hosea 14: 1-9 The majestic... Cedars of Lebanon. Deep roots, strong beautiful, tall immovable fragrant, longlasting shoots grow into new trees (new life!)

7. Cedar Trees - Hosea 14: 1-9 120 ft tall up to 30-40 ft wide. wood is not attacked by insects pleasant warm red color. bark fire resistant (not fire PROOF) some cedar trees today are over 2000 years old!

8. Cedar Trees - Hosea 14: 1-9 Hosea returns to the fragrance of the cedar. ‘fragrance of life”, in 2 Cor 2: 14-16 Hosea turns to the whole farm in vv. 7-8 Sinful people who return to God get new life: protection from harm (shade trees) abundant provision (flourishing grain) productivity like a blossoming vine fame and delight of excellent wine.

9. Cedar Trees - Hosea 14: 1-9 God gives all good gifts, like a fir tree (an evergreen) never drops its leaves… God never fails to provide for and protect people as they turn/return to Him in faith. Theme: “God restores repentant people to flourishing fruitfulness” Conclusion: lesson on wisdom:1. The way of the Lord is right! 2. Obey God to do what is right (and BE right)! 3. All who rebel or oppose God stumble and fall!