The prophets

• The book of Hosea – 5 things…
  • 1^st  – Who wrote the book of Hosea…
    • Pretty straight forward – just look at the name at the top of the page!
    • There is very little dispute over the authorship of this book
  • 2^nd – When was the book written – Hosea was a prophet to the Northern Kingdom…
    • Hosea prophesied from 755 B.C. – until 715 B.C.
      • He would be a prophet during the reign of 6 different Kings in Israel…
      • During the years leading up to the captivity of the Northern Kingdom!
    • When he began in the reign of Jeroboam II – there was great financial prosperity…
      • But at the same time there was great spiritual depravity – God was forgotten!
      • Because when life is easy – it is easy to forget God – Deuteronomy 8:11-14
      • When we are lacking – we often pray for God to provide for our needs…
      • But suppose God gave us one million dollars – what would it do to our prayer life…
      • The reality is if there is not a need – we rarely take the time to seek the Lord…
      • The easier life becomes – the harder it is for us to depend on the Jesus!
  • 3^rd – The theme of the book…
    • In the opening of the Book – Hosea is told by God to marry a harlot – Gomer…
      • She ultimately ends up leaving Hosea – returning to her life as a prostitute…
      • She has children by other men – but God commands Hosea to take her back!
      • And Hosea forgives Gomer – and their relationship is restored!
    • God used the life of Hosea as a picture…
      • God took Israel as His bride – but the nation ran after other gods – spiritual harlotry…
      • Yet the Lord took Israel back – forgave and restored their relationship!
      • So the main theme of the book – is the Love and Grace of God that overcomes sin!
  • 4^th – The division of the book…
    • Chapters 1-3 – give the personal story of the marriage of Hosea to Gomer
    • Chapter 4-13 – lay out the rebellion of Israel – and the consequences for their actions…
    • Chapter 14 – gives the hope of the restoration of the people to God!

Married a prostetute… (3 things)

• 1^st – The example of Gomer… vs. 1-11
  • 1^st – The Prophet Hosea – son of Beeri… vs. 1
    • Although Hosea was from Israel – we are introduced to him with a list of Kings from Judah…
    • But because there were no good kings who would rule there – they are just not mentioned!
    • I am sure these kings thought they were important – but God did not seem to agree!
    • Most people tend to think they are important – but the question is what does God think…
    • 10,000 years from now in heaven – no one will care how much money someone had…
    • But the thanks of a friend who we introduced to Jesus – will never fade away!
• The things we do for ourselves – the glory of men – are all forgotten…
• It is the things we do for the Lord that will last forever – Matthew 6:20

• 2^nd – God spoke to Hosea – go marry a harlot… vs. 2-3
  • Hosea did not hesitate at this seemingly ridiculous command of God – he just obeyed!
    • There is a funny story about a young believer and a mailbox…
    • There will be times God asks us to do things – that seem to make no sense…
    • Even if we do not understand – God always has a plan that is for the best!
  • Hosea went and married Gomer (complete) the daughter of Diblaim (fig cake) – baker…
    • There is some speculation if Gomer was a prostitute before she married Hosea…
    • Some argue her harlotry refers to her pagan faith – she did not worship God…
    • And the 3 kids of Hosea are his – but kids of harlotry because the grew up in pagan Israel…
    • But others say Gomer was a prostitute from the beginning – and continued to be…
    • So that the children born to Hosea were actually from other men!
    • Either way – Gomer did end up being a harlot – as we will see in chapter 3!
  • It makes you wonder if Hosea every ‘regretted’ hearing from the Lord…
    • We say we want to serve the Lord – but do we really understand what that means…
    • We might understand and like – that Jesus is our Savior – keeps us out of hell…
    • But we tend to overlook the fact that we are called to take up our cross – daily…
    • Choosing to serve Jesus is far from a the secret to an easier life…
    • In fact if often means that we are going to face more challenges – John 16:33
    • Serving Jesus means obeying Him – dying to us – living our life for Him!
    • Luke 9:3 – “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
• 3^rd – The 3 children of Hosea… vs. 4-11
  • God told Hosea to name his first ‘son’ – Jezreel (God sows)…
    • Because God was going to avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu…
    • Jehu was the 9^th King of Israel – the great grandfather of Jeroboam II…
    • God used him to wipe out the line of King Ahab – execute Jezebel – in Jezreel…
    • But Jehu was only partially obedient to the Lord – did not remove the golden calves…
    • So god told him his dynasty would only last to the 4^th generation – II Kings 10:30
    • The bow of Israel – Zechariah the final heir of Jehu – would die in the Jezreel valley…
    • And all 5 kings who came after him would be godless – dragging Israel to destruction!
  • God told Hosea to name his ‘daughter’ – Lo-Ruhamah…
    • Because God was not going to have mercy on Israel – lo = no / ruhamah = mercy
    • They were going to be utterly taken away – referring to the Assyrian captivity – 722 B.C.
    • The 10 northern tribes would be taken into a foreign land – Diaspora
    • Yet God would have mercy on the house of Judah – they would be saved…
    • Not by military might – God would save them supernaturally – II Kings 19:35
    • An angel of the Lord wiped out 185,000 Assyrian troops in a single night!
  • God told Hosea to name his second ‘son’ – Lo-Ammi…
    • When Gomer had weaned Lo-Ruhamah – she got pregnant again right away…
    • Lo = no / Ammi = people – because Israel was no longer going to be His people!
    • Because of their rejection of God – God was now rejecting His people…
    • Yet – there number will one day be as the sands of the sea – Genesis 32:12
    • And where it was said – you are not my people – they will be called the sons of God!
    • Israel and Judah will gather in unity – one nation / under one head – Jesus Christ…
    • In the great day of Jezreel – perhaps referring to God sowing His people back in the Land…
    • Or perhaps a reference to the geography – the valley of Jezreel – Armageddon!
  • In Leviticus 26 – God told Israel if they did not obey – 7 times the punishment…
    • Interesting cross reference to the 7 times more judgment – the 430 days of Ezekiel 4:1-8…
    • Ezekiel had to lie on his side for 430 days – representing 430 years of judgment for Israel…
    • 430 years x 7 (7 times the punishment) = 2,520 years of judgment for Israel…
    • If you start from the first fall of Judah to Babylon (there were 3 sieges of the city)…
    • Add 2,520 years – you come to May 14^th, 1948 – the day Israel was declared a nation again!
    • If you start from the destruction of the Temple 586 B.C.
    • Add 2,520 years – you come to June 7^th, 1967 – the day Israel recaptured Jerusalem!
    • God did punish Israel 7 times – but in the end – Israel became a nation again!
    • Because God had a plan to bless Israel – in spite of all they had done!

• 2^nd – The application for Israel… vs. 1-23
  • 1^st – The charges against Israel… vs. 1-5
    • God uses the example of Gomer and the children of Hosea to bring charges against Israel…
      • Say to your brothers – Ammi / say to your sisters – Ruhamah…
      • Tell you mother – you are not my wife / and I am not your husband!
      • Until she puts away her harlotries – stops committing adultery!
      • Speaking of spiritual adultery – running after other gods – putting their faith in them!
    • If Israel did not stop – God would strip Israel naked like the day she was born…
      • Put her back in the wilderness – 40 year wandering – in a dry and thirsty land…
      • And God would not have mercy on her children – because they were children of harlotry…
      • From one generation to the next – the people of Israel were rejecting God!
      • Because Israel only wanted her lovers – that gave her bread / water / wool / oil…
      • In other words they were only concerned about this life – not eternal life!
  • 2^nd – Taking away the blessing… vs. 6-13
    • THEREFORE – God would block Israel with thorns – so they could not find their way…
      • Though Israel would chase after her lovers (idols) – she would not be able to find them…
      • Causing her to return to her first husband – because it was better with him!
      • Like the Prodigal Son – who came to himself in the pig sty – Luke 15:17-19
      • Sin is enjoyable – if it were not there would be no temptation to sin…
      • But it is enjoyable only for a short time – Hebrews 11:25…
      • No matter how we choose to sin – in the end there are consequences – Galatians 6:7
      • When we come to ourselves – we realize things were a LOT better with God!
    • God would block Israel – by taking away her blessings…
      • Israel did not realize all she had – came from God…
      • The grain / wine / oil / silver and gold she gave to Baal – came from the Lord!
      • So God would take away those blessings – no more food to eat…
      • No more clothing to wear – He would leave her naked and desolate!
      • All the fun would stop – no more feast days / no more Sabbaths (empty religion)…
      • Israel thought she was blessed – vines / figs – because of her idolatry!
      • So Israel decked herself out (nose ring) for her lovers – but forgot the Lord!
      • Everything we have comes from the Lord – yet people refuse to live for Him…
      • Instead people tend to live their lives for the moment – live for pleasure…
      • But God knows how to get our attention – take away all the blessings…
      • God will allows us to go through times of ‘famine’ – no food / no money…
      • God allows us to face consequences – reap what we sow – to bring us back to Him!
  • 3^rd – The hope of restoration… vs. 14-23
    • THEREFORE – having humbled Israel through consequences…
      • God will allure her into the wilderness – where He can speak comfort to her…
      • God would give her vineyards – blessings there – John 15:4
      • From the valley of Achor (trouble) – God would open the door of hope!
      • No child ever likes to be take out to the wood shed – it is the valley of trouble…
      • Yet the discipline they receive from their parents teach them to live a holy life – give hope!
      • God will punish us for our mistakes – but not in anger – because He loves us…
      • God desires to teach us – His kids – how to live a pure and holy life!
      • When we are ‘punished’ by the Lord – is proves we are His kids – Hebrews 12:5-6
    • Then Israel will sing like in the days when God first brought Israel out of Egypt…
      • And she will no longer call God Master – she will call him ‘my Man’ (Ishi)!
      • No longer will Israel be known by Baals – God will take that name from her mouth…
      • God will make a covenant with the animals – Isaiah 11:6-9
      • And He will shatter the bow and sword – no more war – Isaiah 2:4
      • Prophetically looking forward to the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ!
        
    • God will betroth / marry Israel – He says it 3 times (Trinity)…
      • God would marry Israel forever – in Righteousness / Justice / Grace / and Mercy…
      • And Israel will be faithful – no longer running after lovers – they will know the Lord!
      • In that Day the earth will answer the Lord with blessings of Jezreel – grain / wine / oil…
      • And those who had no Mercy – Lo-Ruhamah – will find Mercy from the Lord…
      • And those who were not His people – Lo-Ammi – will say You are my God!
      • Israel is frequently described as the Bride of God – Jeremiah 3:14 / 31:31
      • The church is also described as the Bride of Christ – II Corinthians 11:2 / Ephesians 5:23
      • Because in the end there is neither Jew of Gentile – we are one in Jesus…
      • Ephesians 2:14-15 – “ [Jesus] has broken down the middle wall of separation… to create in Himself one new man from the two.”
      • So that we who had no Mercy – found mercy in the cross of Christ…
      • And we who were not His people – have become the Children of God!
        
• 3^rd – The timetable for Israel… vs. 1-5
  • God said to Hosea – go and get Gomer who has committed adultery… vs. 1-3
    • So he went and purchased her for 15 shekels of silver ($110) – and 10 bushels of wheat ($50)…
    • Gomer was not very expensive – $160 – because she did not have value to anyone else…
    • Who would want an unfaithful wife – who no doubt was worn from her destructive lifestyle…
    • Yet she was priceless to Hosea – because he loved her – just like God still loved Israel!
  • Yet for many days Gomer would have to wait…
    • She had to show that she would not run off again and play the Harlot…
    • Just as Israel would also have to wait many days without a king / a Temple to sacrifice in…
    • Without a priest who could wear the Ephod to lead them…
    • Talk about waiting – it has been 2000 years – but in the end they will seek the Lord God!
    • Like Israel we were worthless sinners – lost and bound for destruction – Ephesians 2:1-3
    • But God paid for us – but He did it precious blood of Jesus – I Corinthians 6:20
    • Yet our redemption does not mean we immediately get to see Jesus – II Peter 3:9
    • We have to wait – and we hate waiting – we would rather do almost anything than wait!
    • One of the greatest tests we will ever face in our Christian walk is patience…
    • The danger being it is too easy to loose our excitement for Jesus in the busyness of life…
    • But we must remember this is not our home – we are just passing through – Hebrews 11:13
    • Home is a place we have yet to see – where our king /priest / and Temple dwell in heaven!