Prophets, Prophecy and the People of God

Transcription

1 Lesson 6 1 Prophets, Prophecy and the People of God Hosea "Salvation" I. Introduction. A. The name Hosea means "salvation." 1. The names Joshua (Num 13:16) and Jesus (Matt 1:21) are derived from the same Hebrew word. a. Hosea was the name of Israel's great military leader and successor to Moses before his name was changed to Joshua (salvation is of Jehovah) (Num 13:8, 16). 2. Hosea's father was Beeri (1:1), but we know nothing more about his personal family or background. a. It is commonly believed Hosea was a native of the northern kingdom of Israel, possibly of Samaria although nothing is said of his home or early life. b. His familiarity with the religious, social, and political conditions of his day suggests he had an intimate knowledge of Israel and its people. c. The tenderness with which he speaks to the people of the northern kingdom certainly suggests he was a citizen of Israel. 3. Nothing is known for certain about his occupation. a. However, his high estimation of the priesthood (its duties and responsibilities), and that they were largely responsible for the moral leadership of the people, has led some to suggest Hosea may have been of a priestly order. b. He certainly recognized that the priests had neglected their duty and charged them with having contributed to the moral and spiritual decay of the people. c. At best, we can say Hosea apparently held a position of distinction among the people, but it is uncertain whether he served as a priest. 4. Most students agree that Hosea was a young man when Amos was almost through with his work as a prophet. a. Amos and Hosea prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel, their contemporaries Isaiah and Micah prophesied to the southern kingdom of Judah.

2 Lesson However, the prophets Amos and Hosea were completely different. B. The date. a. Amos was stern and saw Jehovah as the God of justice and judgment. b. Hosea was sympathetic, kind, and loving. (1). He had a deeply emotional and passionate nature but he also experienced deep conflict. (2). Although loving and sympathetic, he had a sense of righteous indignation toward sin. (3). While pleading with the people of Israel to turn from their sin, Hosea could also see God's justice in bringing righteous judgment against those who committed spiritual adultery. 1. The date for Hosea's prophecy is probably around BC (after Amos). a. This period of time is based on the list of kings of Judah and Israel mentioned (1:1). 2. This date assumes Hosea began his ministry in the last days of Jeroboam II, king of Israel, and continued his work until the early days of Hezekiah, king of Judah. C. The book. 1. The book of Hosea is a very touching allegory between Hosea's experience with his unfaithful wife Gomer, and the Lord's experience with unfaithful Israel. a. He was instructed by God to marry "a wife of harlotry" (1:2), meaning one brought up under the influence of idolatry one in whom the seeds of immorality (associated with idolatry) had already been planted. (1). She was not immoral at the time of the marriage, but had grown up in an immoral environment. (2). In later years that environment would become manifested in her own immoral and adulterous lifestyle. b. Why would God place such a heavy burden on anyone? (1). Through his own broken heart over the conduct of his wife Gomer, and the realization that his children were not actually his own, Hosea could see the parallel between God and His beloved Israel. (2). Hosea's grief was merely a shadow of God's grief over the spiritual adultery of His own people. 2. Hosea was a living example of the lesson God wanted the prophet to convey to His people. a. Despite the fact that Israel had committed spiritual adultery by their idolatrous worship, the merciful and loving God offered one last chance for Israel to repent and be restored.

3 Lesson 6 3 b. From his own experience Hosea understood, as none other could, the feelings of the Lord for Israel whom He loved. 3. The righteousness of God is portrayed in Hosea. a. Although the nation of Israel is warned of coming doom, Hosea often speaks of the lovingkindness of the Lord. b. God loved His people, but Israel had sown to the wind and deserved to reap the whirlwind (8:7). 4. Hosea is quoted several times in the New Testament (compare 1:10 and 2:23 with Rom 9:25-26 and 1 Pet 2:9-10; compare 6:6 with Matt 9:13 and Matt 12:7; compare 10:8 with Luke 23:30 and Rev 6:16). II. Historical background (2 Kgs 14-17; 2 Chr 26-29). A. This was a time when the northern kingdom of Israel had reached the pinnacle of sin and rebellion. 1. The sins of idolatry, excess, oppression, and immorality had become even more prominent than in the days of Amos. 2. The prophet describes Israel as having committed "harlotries" ("whoredoms" KJV, ASV). a. In one sense, spiritual prostitution was worse than spiritual adultery Israel had prostituted herself before her "lovers" (the Baals) for "wages" (2:12-13). b. This sin brought Hosea's strongest rebukes (4:11-13; 8:4; 9:10; 10:1-3; 13:1-2). 3. The people were without knowledge (4:6; 5:4), and were therefore ignorant of God and His laws (8:12). a. They had become victims of two forms of false religion calf worship introduced by Jeroboam I, and Baal worship promoted by Ahab and Jezebel. 4. The people of the northern kingdom of Israel were steeped in sin and moral decay. a. They were guilty of swearing (cursing), breaking oaths, murder, stealing, committing adultery, idolatry, deceit, lying, drunkenness, dishonesty in business, and other crimes that were equally an abomination to God (4:2, 11-18; 6:8-9; 10:4; 13:1-2; etc.). B. This was also a time of political upheaval in Israel. 1. Following the death of Jeroboam II, his son Zechariah reigned only six months before being slain by Shallum (2 Kgs 15:8-12). 2. Shallum reigned only one month before he was slain by Menahem who reigned for ten years (2 Kgs 15:13ff).

4 Lesson 6 4 a. During the reign of Menahem, Tiglath-pileser (Pul), the king of Assyria ( BC), came against the northern kingdom and exacted heavy tribute from the nation. b. At the death of Menahem, his son Pekahiah (2 Kgs 15:17-22) reigned only two years before he was slain by Pekah. 3. During the reign of Pekah, Tiglath-pileser began his conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kgs 15:29). a. Pekah and Rezin, king of Syria, formed an alliance against Tiglath-pileser and urged Ahaz, king of Judah, to join their resistance he refused (2 Kgs 16:1-9; Isa 7). b. Hoshea conspired against Pekah and slew him, seizing the throne of Israel (2 Kgs 15:30), and quickly made an alliance with Egypt for help against Shalmaneser, the newest king of Assyria. 4. Shalmaneser laid siege to the northern kingdom and its capital Samaria, taking many into Assyrian captivity (2 Kgs 17:1-6). a. When Shalmaneser died during the siege of Samaria (722 BC), he was succeeded by Sargon who completed the destruction of the city in (721 BC). C. It was during the declining years of the northern kingdom of Israel that Hosea prophesied the impending doom and destruction of his nation. 1. The prophet's task during this time of religious, moral, and political decline was to turn the people back to God, whom they had forgotten. a. They had rebelled against all authority by murdering and assassinating their kings and princes (7:1-7; 8:4; 13:10). b. And they placed their trust in human defenses and alliances with foreign nations rather than in the power of God (5:13; 7:11-13; 10:13; 14:3; etc.). c. The cause of this widespread rebellion and unfaithfulness was twofold: (1). Corrupt priests (with whom the false prophets were in league). (2). Corrupt worship (calf worship and Baal worship). 2. Despite Hosea's efforts, the people were too steeped in idolatry to heed the warning they had passed the point of no return; they refused to hear. III. Outline of Hosea. I. Israel's adultery is symbolized by Hosea's unfaithful wife (Hos 1-3). A. Hosea marries Gomer and their children are given prophetic names (1:1-9). 1. The prophet is instructed to marry "a wife of harlotry" (vs. 2-3). a. It seems Gomer was not a harlot at the time of their marriage, but God knew the outcome before the beginning.

5 Lesson 6 5 (1). Because of God omniscience (all-knowledge) and omnipotence (all-power) He knows the end of a matter from the beginning (Isa 46:10) and can speak of things which have not yet occurred (Rom 4:17b). b. She would eventually become unfaithful to Hosea as Israel had become unfaithful to God. 2. The children of Hosea and Gomer (vs. 4-9). a. The son is named "Jezreel," meaning, "God scatters" or "God sows" symbolizing how God would bring down the "house of Jehu" (2 Kgs 10:29-31). This event would mark the beginning of the end for the northern kingdom of Israel. (1). The Valley of Jezreel (eventually called the plain of Esdraelon) was the site of Israel's greatest victories and its worst defeats a place of bloodshed. (2). God would "scatter" Israel by the Assyrians, and would "sow" them again by restoring them to their land (cf. Amos 9:15; Ezek 36:9; Jer 31:27; 32:41). b. The second child, a daughter, is named "Lo-Ruhamah," meaning "no mercy" or "no pity" symbolizing that God will show "no mercy" to the northern kingdom (the ten northern tribes) because of their rebellion. c. The third child, a son, is named "Lo-Ammi," literally meaning "not my people." (1). Because of their rebellion against God, He would no longer claim them as His people. (2). In all likelihood, Hosea realized this child was not his, but rather the product of Gomer's adultery and whoredom. B. Despite being cast off; God would restore Israel (1:10-2:1). 1. The fulfillment of this prophecy is spiritual in nature (Rom 9:22-26; 1 Pet 2:9-10). a. The physical nation of Israel would be overthrown, but the promise God made to Abraham (Gen 22:17-18) will be fulfilled when both Jews and Gentiles become "sons of the living God" through Jesus Christ (Gal 3:26-29). b. Only then will they be called "Ammi" (My people), and "Ruhamah" (having obtained mercy). C. Idolatry had estranged Israel from God (2:2-13). 1. God could not maintain a covenant relationship with Israel while pursuing her idolatrous lovers. 2. Unless she repented, God would strip her of all He had given her (cf. Exo 34:12-17; Deut 32:17-25). 3. Therefore, God will bring judgment against Israel and shame her before her lovers they had forgotten God was the source of their blessings, and gave credit to the Baals.

6 Lesson 6 6 D. God will entice Israel to return (2:14-23). 1. He would not forget them as they had forgotten Him, and promised to deliver them from bondage as He had done in bringing them out of Egypt. a. Out of the "Valley of Achor" ("trouble," Josh 7:26), God would turn their despair to hope. b. Because of His love and compassion, Israel would call God "Ishi" (my Husband) rather than "Baali" (my master). 2. These promises seem to have their fulfillment in the Messianic age (vs ). a. The prophet uses figures of speech (v. 18) commonly used by other prophets to describe the peace and security that will prevail when the spirit of man is brought under subjection to the Spirit of God (cf. Isa 2:1-4; 11:1-10; 35:8-10; Ezek 34:20-31; Micah 4:1-4; Zech 9:9-10). b. Words used to describe this new marriage: righteousness, justice, lovingkindness, mercy (compassion), and faithfulness. 3. This prophecy is being fulfilled now (vs 21-23). a. The name "Jezreel" ("God sows") is interwoven throughout this section signifying that God's people would be "gathered" and "sown" unto Him (1:11; 2:23) whereas they had once been scattered (1:4). E. Hosea is commanded to purchase Gomer (3:1-5). 1. Although Gomer was an adulteress Hosea still loved her. a. Therefore, he bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and fifteen shekels' worth of barley the price of a gored slave (cf. Exo 21:32). 2. However, until she proves her faithfulness, Hosea would have no intimacy with her. a. Many see this as symbolic of the years of captivity Israel faced. b. But after a period of chastening, she returned "in the latter days" to the Lord and to David the king a clear reference to the time of Christ (cf. Ezek 34:23-24; Jer 23:5-6; 30:9; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:29-36). II. The Lord's controversy with Israel (Hos 4-6). A. There is no truth, mercy, nor knowledge in the land (4:1-19). 1. Moral corruption was rampant (vs. 1-5). a. The crime rate was so high it seemed perpetual "bloodshed upon bloodshed." b. Reproof would have no effect because the people had become so rebellions. 2. The root of the problem "lack of knowledge" (vs. 6-10). a. The corrupt priests were primarily responsible encouraging and condoning the people by teaching what they wanted to hear (cf. Isa 30:9-10; Jer 6:13-15). b. The priests literally fed themselves on the sins of the people. (1). The more the people sinned, the more they sacrificed. (2). The more they sacrificed, the more the priests profited.

7 Lesson Sexual immorality associated with idolatry was commonplace (vs ). a. They sought guidance from "wooden idols" and "staff" (used in witchcraft) "informs them." b. They were enslaved to sexual immorality and alcohol ("wine, and new wine"). c. Despite their ignorance, God would not spare them from doom their sins demanded God's justice. 4. Although Israel was the focus of God's impending wrath, Judah is warned to not become seduced by idolatry (vs 15-19). a. Israel was hopelessly entrenched in idolatry. b. Even the rulers now loved those things for which they should be ashamed the day is coming when their "glory" will be turned to "shame" (cf. v. 7). B. Pride and hypocrisy testify that they are fit for destruction (5:1-15). 1. The spiritual and political leaders of Israel are indicted by the Lord because they failed as leaders (v. 1). a. They had become snares to the people Mizpah and Tabor (two mountains in Israel) represent the entire nation. 2. The sins of the people could no longer be hidden, nor would they repent (vs. 2-4). a. Their conscience had become seared (cf. 1 Tim 4:2), and as long as they continued in sin repentance was impossible (cf. Heb 6:4-6). 3. Israel's arrogant pride also testifies against them (vs. 5-7). a. Israel and Ephraim ("double blessing" symbolic of a blessed nation) have fallen into the sin of spiritual harlotry, and Judah is now following their example. b. They had "begotten pagan (strange) children" children that did not know the Lord, but were steeped in paganism. 4. The sound of the trumped (warning) is to be sounded throughout the land in Israel and Judah. (vs. 8-10). a. The wrath of God was pending. 5. The people of Israel willingly followed Jeroboam I to worship the golden calves (vs ). a. Therefore, destruction will come to all who "walked by human precept" like a moth that destroys clothing and rot that destroys food. 6. Israel trusted in alliances with their former enemies rather than trust in God to deliver them Judah had done the same (vs ). a. "King Jareb" ("an avenging king") would not be able to save them. b. God will desert them until they repent and return to Him. C. Israel's goodness and faithfulness is as fleeting as a morning cloud that quickly vanishes (6:1-11). 1. The people acknowledge that they need to return to the Lord for deliverance (vs. 1-3). a. Unfortunately, their shallow understanding of the Lord's ways caused them to believe He could be appeased by the performance of rituals of outward repentance.

8 Lesson But their repentance lasted as long as a morning cloud which appears and then vanishes away as soon as the sun rises (vs 4-6). a. The Lord demanded obedience from the heart, not just an outward form (cf. Psa 51:16-17). 3. Like men ("Adam" ASV, NASV), they have transgressed the covenant between them and God and must therefore be expelled from the land just as Adam was expelled from Eden. a. The extent of their sins were seen in priests who robbed and killed and then fled to Levitical cities of refuge for safety. b. The entire nation was steeped in sin. 4. Judah is warned they are also ripe for the harvest of God's judgment (v. 11). III. Israel's corrupt political condition (Hos 7-8). A. Israel's leaders were corrupt (7:1-7). 1. Each time the Lord would attempt to heal the nation their sins and iniquity would become blatant (vs. 1-2). 2. Rulers seemed delighted with the corruption and wickedness of the people they have common desires and would therefore not condemn one another (vs. 3-4). a. But as they encourage one another in sin, they also reap the fruits of their conduct. b. Four of the last kings of Israel were murdered (2 Kgs 15). c. Like a baker who kneaded dough in the evening ready to bake in the morning, so the people go to bed at night plotting evil plans. 3. The rulers (king and princes) indulged in drink like ovens, the hearts of the people smolder all night in anger as they form their plots (vs 5-7). a. In the morning the embers seething anger and plotting erupt into flames, destroying their rulers (kings). b. "None of them calls on Me." B. Israel trusted in alliances rather than turn to God (7:8-16). 1. Like a "cake not turned" Israel was scorched on one side by moral, political and religious corruption, and raw on the other because they had rejected God fit for nothing (vs 8-10). a. Israel becomes weak and defenseless like an aged man and yet does not realize their condition. b. They were blinded by their own pride. 2. Like a "silly dove, without sense" unaware of the snare that has been set for them Israel had foolishly played Egypt against Assyria, and vice versa, by forming alliances with one or the other rather than ask God for help (vs ). a. Therefore God will bring them down like a bird caught in a net, and make them an example for all to see. 3. They rejected God several ways (vs ): a. By straying from Him. b. By rebelling against Him.

9 Lesson 6 9 c. By speaking against Him. d. By not crying out to Him from their heart. e. By turning away from Him. f. By devising evil (planning mischief) against Him. g. By their insolent speech toward Him. C. Israel has sown to the wind and now must reap the whirlwind (8:1-14). 1. Israel is warned to sound the trumpet (warning) because the Assyrians are about to swoop down like an eagle (vs. 1-4). a. They will plead that they know the Lord, and yet the Lord will not respond. b. The reason they rejected good, and operated by their own rules. (1). They set up kings and appointed princes, but not by God's approval. (2). They formed idols from their silver and gold. 2. Of all the nations, Israel should have known to avoid idolatry they knew God's anger would burn against them (vs. 5-7). a. How long would they be "incapable of innocence" (incapable of being free from the guilt of sin) there is no answer. b. Now they will be forced to suffer the consequences of their choices. c. They sowed to the wind, and will now reap the whirlwind destruction will be swift and total. 3. Israel's alliance with Assyria will not be helpful (vs. 8-10). a. Her enemies have exploited Israel to the point where they now despise her as one despises a worn-out, useless pot (vessel). b. Israel had prostituted herself by hiring "lovers" whom she believed would protect her. c. But God will gather Israel and deliver her to be destroyed by the nations from whom she sought help. 4. Pleading ignorance will not help (vs ). a. The people had given themselves completely to idolatry building a multiplicity of alters on which they would offer sacrifices. b. Though they had the Law, God's precepts are "strange" to them they are ignorant of God's precepts. c. To appease God the people of Israel offered sacrifices, but the Lord rejected those sacrifices therefore, they will return to Egypt (bondage). d. To protect them from their enemies, Judah trusted in fortified cities. IV. Israel's apostasy will be rewarded with destruction and exile (Hos 9-13). A. Because they had forsaken the Lord, Israel would be taken from the land (9:1-17). 1. Hosea warned that Israel's period of prosperity was temporary (vs. 1-3). a. They had played the harlot, forsaken God. b. Therefore they would return to Egypt (bondage and captivity cf. 8:13). c. Assyria would be the actual place where they would be taken (cf. 10:6; 11:5)

10 Lesson Captivity in a foreign land would make it impossible to offer acceptable sacrifices in the house of the Lord (vs. 4-6). a. Egypt and Memphis (chief city in Egypt) are symbols of bondage, slavery and death. 3. The time was at hand for Israel to suffer the consequences of their rebellion against God (7-9). a. False prophets, who claimed to have the Spirit of God, had given the people false hopes it was a case of the blind leading the blind. b. Now they will realize those false and corrupt prophets were fools and knew nothing (cf. Mic 2:11). c. God did appoint prophets to be watchmen (Ezek 3:17), but the prophets of Ephraim were against God. d. Ephraim had now become as abominable to God as in the days of Gibeah (cf. Judg 19-20). 4. Israel was far from where they had been in their early days now they were brought to shame for prostituting themselves before idols (vs ). a. At Baal Peor they had sinned against Jehovah by joining with the people of Moab in the worship Baal (cf. Num 25:1-9). b. Their lust for the material and the physical had been the beginning of their downfall a person becomes what he worships. c. Now only death and barrenness will prevail. d. Gilgal had been a place of many blessings from God (cf. Josh 4:19-20; 5:9; 1 Sam 11:14-15), but now it will symbolize the withdrawal of God's love and blessings because of flagrant sin. e. They will be case away "because they did not obey Him." B. Assyria will be the instrument of God's judgment (10:1-15). 1. The greatest affront to God was in Israel giving credit for its fruitfulness and prosperity to their worship of idols (v. 1). 2. The problem was simply that their heart was divided, and now they will be held accountable (vs. 2-13). a. To fear Jehovah is to reverence Him, and to reverence Him is to serve and obey Him they had done none of these things. b. The rulers had sworn falsely (cf. 4:2) by making covenants with Assyria (5:13) and with Egypt (7:11) they did not intend to keep. c. When judgment comes, the "glory" they imagined by worshipping the golden calf will vanish the calf will not be able to save itself nor save the people. d. Their king will be "cut off," high places will be destroyed, and the alters will be covered with weeds the people will cry for the mountains and hills to fall on them and cover them from the horrors of God's judgment. (1). Judah will someday suffer the same fate. 3. Although the prophet calls for the people to return to righteousness, there is little hope of that happening they had gone too far (vs ). a. "Shalman" (Shalmaneser, King of Assyria) will plunder the land.

11 Lesson 6 11 C. Despite God's love and care for His people, they had been unfaithful to Him (11:1-11). 1. "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son" (v. 1). a. Quoted by Jesus (Matt 2:15). b. During Israel's earlier history God proved His love by delivering them out of Egypt. 2. But they gave their attention to the prophets of Baal to sacrifice and burn incense to his images (vs 2-7). a. Just as a father teaches his child to walk, so God had guided, protected and fed His people but they were ungrateful. b. The "people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, none at all exalt Him" they gave only lip-service to God. 3. It grieves God to bring such devastation to His people He must act as God and not as man by sparing them (vs 8-9). 4. However, God will show mercy on a remnant of Israel when they "walk after the Lord" He will "let them dwell in their houses" (vs 10-11). D. God's charge against Ephraim (Israel) (11:12-12:14) Although Israel is a house of deceit, "Judah still walks with God" (11:12) but not for long. 2. Israel has played both ends against the middle by making covenants with Assyria and then with Egypt for protection their lies increase daily (12:1). 3. Judah will someday be punished for their deeds as well (vs. 2-5). 4. The only hope for Israel and Judah is to return to the God of their father Jacob or suffer the consequences (cf. Amos 3:13-15). 5. Unfortunately, Israel had become like the defrauding Canaanite merchant or trafficker (vs 7-9). a. She considered herself rich and without fault. b. But in her self-sufficiency, she forgot that God not only gives He also takes away (cf. Job 1:21). 6. Ephraim was without excuse God had sent prophets with visions and parables (vs, 10-11). a. Gilead (east of the Jordan) and Gilgal (west of the Jordan) had become worthless because of their idolatry their alters were just useless piles of rocks. 7. Jacob had once fled as a fugitive to "Syria" (Aram Haran, Gen 29-31) (vs ). a. He worked as a slave to obtain a wife. b. Therefore, his descendants had been brought out of Egypt "by a prophet" (Moses) and to an inheritance of the land of Canaan. c. But instead of showing their gratitude by being faithful to Jehovah, they provoked the Lord by their disobedience and would now suffer the reward for their sins. 1 In the Hebrew Bible, verse 12 of chapter 11 is the first verse of chapter 12.

12 Lesson 6 12 E. Israel brought their destruction upon themselves (13:1-16). 1. At one time when Israel spoke her neighbors trembled (v. 1-3). a. But they lost the fear and respect they once commanded because of their worship of Baal. b. Now their sins increase by not only making and worshipping pagan idols, but by encouraging others to do the same (cf. Rom 1:32). c. Therefore, Israel shall perish as quick as (1) the morning cloud, or (2) the dew, or (3) the chaff, or (4) the smoke from a chimney. 2. There was no excuse they could offer (vs. 4-6). a. They had known the Lord since Egypt and had been warned not to serve other gods. b. He had provided and cared for them and yet they turned away. c. When God had blessed them and they were filled, they exalted their prideful hearts forgot the Lord. 3. Therefore, God will repay them for their disobedience (vs 7-11). a. He will be to them like a leopard, a bear, and a lion that tears the nations to shreds. b. In reality, the sins of Israel that have led to their destruction began when they rejected God as their king (cf. 1 Sam 8:4-9). c. Now that they have a king, where is he, and how will he save them? d. The Lord had indulged them, but now will remove their wicked and corrupt king in His wrath. 4. Israel (Ephraim) is bound up in sin sin has been accumulating upon sin (vs 12-14). a. Israel's punishment is compared to childbirth whether this chastening brings sorrow or joy depends on their response. b. A new birth will be given to those who repent, but death to those who do not just as an infant that dies in the womb. c. God will bring the nation into captivity, but will spare a remnant that will be restored from death (cf. Ezek 37). 5. Ephraim (double-fullness) is nourished now, but will soon face the "east wind" (symbolic of drought and devastation) in the form of the Assyrians. (vs ). a. They will consume the fruitful land and plunder every treasure and desirable thing. b. The slaughter of Israel and its capital of Samaria will be horrific especially to women and children. c. All God did was withdraw His protection, and the Syrians would do with Israel what they have done with all whom they conquered. V. God's final appeal (Hos 14). A. Through the prophet Hosea, God calls the people to repent (vs 1-3). 1. Their only hope for stumbling in their iniquity is to "return to the Lord your God" (v. 1). 2. It is still possible to return to the Lord if they come with words of genuine repentance (v. 2).

13 Lesson They must renounce their reliance on Assyria by acknowledging the Lord as the only one in whom they will find mercy and strength (v. 3). B. The Lord is still willing to turn away from His wrath (vs 4-6). 1. He will "heal their backsliding" and "love them freely" (v. 4). 2. He will be like the refreshing "dew" to Israel what brings nourishment and beauty to His creation Israel will blossom like the lily and be as stable as the cedars of Lebanon (v. 5). 3. Israel will be like the evergreen olive tree, and be as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon (v. 6). C. Those who dwell under the shadow and influence of this new Israel will prosper (vs 7-8). 1. They will no longer have anything to do with idols (v. 7). 2. But will depend on the Lord as the source of their good fruit (v. 8). D. A closing admonition (v. 9). 1. Those who are truly wise will acknowledge that the ways of the Lord are right (Prov 1:7; 9:10). 2. The righteous will walk in the ways of the Lord, but the wicked will stumble in them. IV, Lessons from Hosea. A. Marriage. 1. Righteousness, justice, lovingkindness, mercy, and faithfulness (Hos 2:19-20) are crucial in our relationship with God. a. They are also vital to the success of every marriage (Matt 19:6-9; 5:32; Rom 7:2-3; 1 Cor 13:4-7; Eph 5:22-33). b. Remove only one of these and a marriage is weakened at best, and doomed to fail at worst. B. The knowledge of God. 1. Any nation without the knowledge of God is doomed (Hos 4:6). a. Such nations are left without any firm (absolute) moral standards or spiritual hope (Eph 4:17-19; Rom 1:18-32; 2 Thess 2:9-12; Prov 14:12; Jer 10:23). 2. Outward worship is not sufficient to please God (Hos 5:6; 6:6) a. God is not only concerned with what we do, but why we do it (e.g. 1 Cor 11:20-30).

14 Lesson God's word is "strange" to those who rebel against Him (Hos 8:12). a. Many religious people (including devout people) may read the Bible and claim to believe it, but unless we obey it implicitly our claims are worthless (cf. Matt 7:21-23; Luke 6:46; Rom 10:1-3). C. Religious practice. 1. The object of our religion should not be to please ourselves, but to please the Lord (Hos 10:1-2; cf. Matt 15:7-9; Rom 10:1-2; 2 Cor 10:12). 2. We can have the same attitude as Israel when we persist in religious practices for which there is no Biblical authority (Hos 11:7; cf. 2 Tim 4:2-4; Gal 1:6-10; 2 John 9). D. Our walk with God. 1. Wealth is not evil (1 Tim 6:17-19). But when we forget it is God who gives wealth and prosperity, our riches can become a curse (Hos 13:6; cf. Deut 8:11-14; Prov 30:8-9; Luke 12:15-21). 2. God's way is the only right way (Hos 14:9). a. Our obedience will determine whether we walk with God or fall (2 John 9; Gal 1:6-8; Isa 55:8-9; Jer 10:23; Prov 14:12).