1. Minor Prophets : Major Lessons
Hosea : A Lesson in
Spiritual Adultery

2. Hosea 1:2
When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea: "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the Lord."

3. Spiritual Adultery
I tried to find a picture (not too graphic) of adultery.
I found this one on a church website in California. Picture = 1,000 words.
When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea:
"Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry
And children of harlotry,
For the land has committed great harlotry
By departing from the Lord."
Hosea 1:2 (NKJV)

4. Hosea Background
Many misunderstand the message of Hosea.
This book does NOT teach that harlots are OK and pure.
This book is NOT teaching it is OK to marry anyone with any background.
Hosea is about SPIRITUAL ADULTERY.
For the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the Lord (1:2b)

5. Hosea Background
God commands him to marry a prostitute named Gomer. (1:2)
When she is not faithful to him – God commands that he buy her back. (3:1-3)
Hosea is an graphic illustration of God dealing with a people who are unfaithful to Him.

6. Hosea Background Gomer gives birth to 3 children.
Son – Jezreel – God sows (scatters) = This is a son of Hosea. (1:4)
Daughter – Loruhamah – No mercy = No affection, Hosea is not sure. (1:6)
Son – Loammi – Not my people = Not a son of Hosea. (1:9)

7. Hosea Outline
Hosea's marriage and children – a type of God's relationship to Israel – (1 – 3)
God's charges against Israel – (4:1 – 6:3)
God's decison to judge (punish) – (6:4 – 10:15)
God's resolution in judgment and mercy – (11 – 14)

8. 1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL ADULTERY
Israel was God's bride
2:16 "And it shall be, in that day," Says the Lord, "That you will call Me 'My Husband,' And no longer call Me 'My Master,'

9. 1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL ADULTERY
Israel was God's bride
Christians (church) are the bride of Christ
Study these passages : Ephesians 5; Revelation 22:17; Matthew 25:1-13
We MUST remain faithful to Christ

10. 1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL ADULTERY
Israel was God's bride
Christians (church) are the bride of Christ
Study these passages : Ephesians 5; Revelation 22:17; Matthew 25:1-13
We MUST remain faithful to Christ

11. 1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL ADULTERY
Do Christians have an “idol” problem?
The idol of Clothing – shop till you drop – Clothing can become more important than God.
The idol of Cash – The love of money is still causing many to commit spiritual adultery

12. 1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL ADULTERY
Do Christians have an “idol” problem?
The idol of Children – love your children but not more than God.
The idol of Property – One lady missed church because she had to clean her house.

13. 1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL ADULTERY
Do Christians have an “idol” problem?
The idol of Friends – Have you ever stayed home from church because company came?
The idol of Possessions – Many wash their car when they should be in church.

14. 1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL ADULTERY
Do Christians have an “idol” problem?
The idol of Pets – Pets are wonderful compaions. Will you give your pet more than you give God?
The idol of Career – Some are “married” to their work. They make their work, their life.

15. 1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL ADULTERY
Do Christians have an “idol” problem?
The idol of Sports – Some miss Bible class and worship so they can play some sport.
ANYTHING, ANYONE that takes a higher place than God is your idol and you are comitting spiritual adultery.

16. 2 Backsliding follows a pattern
Rejection of the Bible (4:1-2)
1 Hear the word of the Lord, You children of Israel, For the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land. 2 By swearing and lying, Killing and stealing and committing adultery,They break all restraint, With bloodshed upon bloodshed.

17. 2 Backsliding follows a pattern
Rejection of the Bible (4:6)
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

18. 2 Backsliding follows a pattern
Rejection of the Bible
Temptation to turn away (4:7-11)
Prosperity "The more they increased, The more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. (4:7)
Not satisfied For they shall eat, but not have enough; They shall commit harlotry, but not increase; Because they have ceased obeying the Lord. (4:10)

19. 2 Backsliding follows a pattern
Rejection of the Bible
Temptation to turn away (4:7-11)
Follow after idols (4:12-19)
My people ask counsel from their wooden idols, And their staff informs them. For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray, And they have played the harlot against their God. (4:12)

20. 3 God's love is unchanging
"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. (14:4)
Man must repent - - Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. (14:2)

21. 3 God's love is unchanging
God will restore - - Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them. (14:9)

22. SPIRITUAL ADULTERY? ARE YOU GUILTY OF SPIRITUAL ADULTERY?
What would Hosea say to us – today?
Are there “idols” in your life?
While God is loving you, are you holding hands with an “idol”?
ARE YOU GUILTY OF
SPIRITUAL ADULTERY?