"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS" Hosea - God's Redeeming Love (8:1-10:15) INTRODUCTION 1. Thus far in our survey of the book of Hosea, we have seen... a. The analogy of Hosea and Gomer, illustrating God's experience with Israel 1) Israel's rejection symbolized, in the names of Hosea and Gomer's children - Hos 1:2-9 2) Israel's restoration foretold - Hos 1:10-2:1 3) Israel's unfaithfulness described, depicted as a wife guilty of harlotry - Hos 2:2-13 4) Israel's restoration described, finally cured of her idolatry - Hos 2:14-23 5) Israel's restoration symbolized, depicted as a harlot taken back to be a wife - Hos 3:1-5 b. God's indictment of Israel 1) The charges brought against Israel - Hos 4:1-5:15 2) Israel's appeal rejected - Hos 6:1-7:16 -- The theme proposed for this book has been "God's Redeeming Love" 2. The love God has for Israel does not preclude the need for punishment if she is to be truly redeemed... a. As mentioned in Hos 2:13 b. This punishment will be seen in the form of the Assyrian invasion, as foretold in the section now before us [In this lesson, we shall continue our survey of Hosea by noticing God's warning of punishment that is to befall Israel, chapters 8-10...] I. GOD'S PUNISHMENT FOR ISRAEL (8:1-10:15) A. WARNING OF APPROACHING JUDGMENT (8:1-14) 1. Judgment is coming because they transgressed the covenant - Hos 8:1-6 2. They have sown the wind, through their alliances with Assyria, and shall reap the whirlwind - Hos 8:7-10 3. The altars of their religion has made them sin, their punishment will be a "return to Egypt" (Egypt as a symbol of captivity) - Hos 8:11-13 4. Israel has forgotten his Maker, and even Judah places more trust in fortified cities; but judgment will come upon them both - Hos 8:14 B. ASSYRIAN CAPTIVITY FORETOLD (9:1-17) 1. Because Israel has played the harlot - Hos 9:1-2 2. Ephraim (Israel) shall "return to Egypt" - Hos 9:3-9 a. Egypt used as a type for captivity, but then Assyria is mentioned by name b. They will be unable to celebrate the feasts c. They will be punished for their sins 3. The fleeting glory of Israel - Hos 9:10-17 a. Though considered the firstfruits, they soon gave themselves over to idolatry b. Thus their glory will fly away, and they will be like one childless c. For their wickedness, God will cast them away C. ISRAEL'S SIN AND CAPTIVITY REITERATED (10:1-15) 1. Her guilt and coming captivity - Hos 10:1-8 2. Her sin and coming punishment - Hos 10:9-15 [With such ample warnings through prophets like Hosea, God let Israel know what was to befall her. Yet the prophet's message did not end there. A message of hope concerning restoration was also proclaimed, which we will shall consider in our next lesson. For a few remaining moments, let's review...] II. SOME KEY PASSAGES IN THIS SECTION A. "I HAVE WRITTEN FOR HIM THE GREAT THINGS OF MY LAW, BUT THEY WERE CONSIDERED A STRANGE THING" 1. Notice Hos 8:12 2. This is a sad commentary on the condition of Israel a. God had done a wondrous thing by giving them His Word - cf. Ps 19:7-11 b. Yet they had become so perverted that God's word seemed strange to them! 3. Is this not true today as well? a. We have been richly blessed with the full revelation of God's will through His Son Jesus Christ b. Yet many people (even some in the church)... 1) ...are so unaware of what the Bible says 2) ...are so caught up in the thinking of the world ...that the principles and truths of God's word are "considered a strange thing"! -- Is God's word considered a strange thing to you? B. "SOW FOR YOURSELVES RIGHTEOUSNESS, REAP IN MERCY" 1. Consider Hos 10:12 2. While we cannot earn our salvation by good works, works of righteousness can result in experiencing God's grace and mercy a. A case in point is the conversion of Cornelius - Ac 10:1-6 b. His fear of God, prayers, and alms did not save him, but God did take notice c. By striving to serve and please God, he came to know the way of mercy and salvation -- Thus we should be diligent in our service, not to earn salvation, but to receive God's gracious mercy - e.g., Onesiphorus - 2Ti 1:16-18 C. "YOU HAVE PLOWED WICKEDNESS, YOU HAVE REAPED INIQUITY" 1. Read Hos 10:13 2. Iniquity (injustice, NASB) is the natural consequence of wickedness a. When people turn their ears away from hearing the Word of God, they will be wicked b. And the consequence is great injustice and lawlessness -- Sadly, I believe we can see why our society is reaping so much injustice and lawlessness today (because of the wickedness that is sown) CONCLUSION 1. The messages of Hosea, though first spoken to a people of an earlier time, speak to us also... a. History tends to repeat itself; we need to learn from the mistakes of others b. The people of God are not immune from apostasy, wickedness and rebellion 2. As Paul wrote to the church of Corinth, after reviewing parts of Israel's history... "Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted." (1Co 10:6) 3. God's "intent" in preserving the Old Testament was that we might benefit from Israel's mistakes a. The works of prophets like Hosea can certainly help b. Will his words be well known to us, or will they too be "considered a strange thing"? I pray this study will help his words become more familiar to us...
