Bible Study - Amazing Love - God Loves for His People to be Loyal to Him - Hosea 6 and 7 - February 13, 2011

Bible Study – Amazing Love – God Loves for His People to be Loyal to Him – February 13, 2011

This is lesson two (2) in our series, “God’s Outrageous Love.”
Our scripture is Hosea 6:1-7:2.
I think it is difficult for many of us to really comprehend the love that GOD has for us. GOD used a graphic example in an effort to relate to HIS people then and to us today HIS loyalty and covenant love. The Prophet Hosea represented GOD and his wife, Gomer, represented the Jewish people (Wayward Christians). This story represents many Christians today. GOD wants all people to know the depth and the extent of HIS love toward HIS people. But only those who have a relationship with HIM through CHRIST can even begin to comprehend HIS covenant love (Everlasting). A person can be unfaithful to GOD, yet if he or she repents, GOD is waiting with open arms to welcome him/her back into HIS arms and fellowship with HIM. Our lesson today is about repentance and GOD’S steadfast love for HIS children.


The Israelites had known GOD and then rejected HIM by worshipping false gods and becoming involved in evil practices. They had known the truth at one time.


In essence, GOD was saying to the Israelites through the Prophet Hosea then and to Christians today, “Do you want to know what covenant love looks like? Then consider the unfailing, steadfast love that Hosea had for Gomer.


Loyalty is a powerful word. As used in our scripture it comes from the Hebrew word “hesed.” The basic meaning is “covenant loyalty” or “covenant love.” The Hebrew word “hesed” is used in reference to GOD or humans. Covenant love or covenant loyalty is not exclusive only for GOD but they apply to all who are in relationship with HIM. They apply equally to HIS children and to HIM. HIS desire is for our covenant love to be as strong as HIS covenant love. GOD always honors HIS covenant relationship with us but Christians do not hold the same mind set when it comes for them to be consistently loyal to HIM. The word “hesed” has two main components – love and faithfulness. Both are essential to have loyalty. This is true of marriage and having the right relationship with GOD. Marriage is a covenant relationship where loyalty is essential. So is our covenant relationship with CHRIST. GOD expects loyalty.


Repentance is more than confessing our sins and splashing ourselves with Holy Water (No offense meant to my Christian Catholic friends). Repentance is all about the heart. Are we genuinely sorry for what we have done? Let’s explore!!!


Let’s read Hosea 6:1-3:
A Call to Repentance
1 Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn [us]* , and He will heal us; He has wounded [us]* , and He will bind up our wounds. 2 He will revive us after two days, and on the third day He will raise us up so we can live in His presence.[1]3 Let us strive to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.

In chapter 4 and 5 of Hosea, GOD had charged the people with committing such sins as cursing, lying, murder, stealing and adultery. GOD allowed them to be torn, like a lion tears his prey to devour it and to be wounded, as judgment. HE allowed for this to happen to them, so they would repent. Repenting is turning from evil and turning to GOD to be obedient to HIM. If they repented and turned back to HIM, HE would restore their relationship and fellowship with them.

Hosea 4:1-2:
God’s Case against Israel
1 Hear the word of the LORD, people of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth, no faithful love, and no knowledge of God in the land! 2 Cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.

GOD, in essence, had a lawsuit against the Israelites. They would soon learn that HE is the judge, the jury and the ONE to allow the necessary punishment.

Back to our scripture, to me verses 2 and 3 are so beautiful when you relate them to the promised Messiah. But let me be quick to add that this scripture was not prophesied regarding the promised Messiah. It relates to the shortness of time. If the people repented and turned to GOD, then in short order, GOD would restore fellowship with them. It is like if you don’t straighten out you are going into timeout; except their timeout would be in exile and their kingdom would be destroyed.


When you read verses 2 and 3 in the light of our knowledge of CHRIST now, do you see the attributes of the promised Messiah? JESUS gave up HIS earthly life on the cross, was buried and the third day, GOD raised HIM from the dead. Our hope and deliverance from sin and death is the result of CHRIST’S passion and our acceptance of HIM as SAVIOR. These folks to whom Hosea was speaking did not have the gospel story as we do today. This was prophesying of hope to come provided the Jewish people would repent, turn from their wicked ways and look to GOD. The same is true today. CHRIST is the only hope for all who suffer in sin and are exiled from GOD – Christian or non-Christian alike.


Hosea was speaking to the Jews who at one time knew GOD and worshipped HIM but they had gone their own way and drifted away from HIM. They were worshipping false gods and participating in sexual practices as a form of worship. Often, Christians have wallowed in sin so long they think GOD would never have them back as HIS children. WRONG!!! Do you remember the story JESUS told about the prodigal son? Satan wants you to believe that there is no hope for you. It is Satan’s lie. Don’t believe it. If you do, then you are the loser. As a Christian you will never lose your salvation but you will not be the obedient servant that GOD wants you to be and you will not earn the heavenly rewards HE has planned for you. Eternity is a long time. Why not be all you can be in obedient service to GOD.


GOD challenged the Israelites then and Christians today to strive to know HIM. This is not to have an intellectual knowledge about HIM. It is HIS desire for HIS children to have experiential/heart knowledge which comes from obediently serving HIM. It is yielding your will to HIM and allowing HIM to help you build an intimate, loving relationship with HIM. It is building such a relationship with HIM that you can trust HIM and have confidence in HIM, regardless of the surrounding circumstances.

Through Hosea, GOD promised the disobedient Israelites if they repented, HE would restore. In the same way, HE will come into your heart and life if you repent of your sins and ask HIM to forgive you and to come into your life. Just as sure as the dawn comes each day and the rain brings forth flowers, those who seek HIM will find HIM and their lives will blossom to HIS Glory.


This, to me, expresses the love of GOD for HIS people – Christian or Jew. When we come to HIM, HE will raise us up so we can live in HIS presence. Christians have the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT WHO confirms GOD’S love for those who believe in CHRIST as their SAVIOR. Our part is to strive to know HIM by yielding our will to HIM and ask HIM, through the HOLY SPIRIT, to lead and guide our life. Then to study the Bible, pray and obediently serve HIM as HE leads you.


Let’s read Hosea 6:4-6:
The LORD’s First Lament
4 What am I going to do with you, Ephraim? What am I going to do with you, Judah? Your loyalty is like the morning mist and like the early dew that vanishes. 5 This is why I have used the prophets to cut them down;[2]I have killed them with the words of My mouth. My judgment strikes like lightning.[3]6 For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than • burnt offerings.[4]


Ephraim was Joseph’s younger son. He was adopted by his grandfather Jacob. He was given a large portion of the Promised Land. Thus by Hosea’s day, Ephraim was a major tribe in the northern kingdom. The reference to Ephraim was meant to include both Israel and Judah.


GOD was speaking to all of HIS people, the Israelites. It was much like a parent speaking to a disobedient child, which they were. “What am I going to do with you?” GOD does not like to punish. HE urges HIS people to do the right thing, repent and come back to HIM before HE has to take action.


We in America do not think we will face the judgment of GOD. We need to take a long hard look at how Christians have compromised their values in the past years and today. GOD requires loyalty. GOD doesn’t like Christians who are fickle like the morning mist or dew. No devotion. Their loyalty vanishes quickly like the morning mist or dew. The sun rises and burns off the morning mist or dew. When things get tough, their relationship with GOD dries up. Then they wonder why they are in the desert. They turned their backs on GOD. GOD never turns HIS back on them.


We see in verse 5 that GOD can arrange punishment in order to get the attention of HIS people. When HE strikes it is like lightening. It is sure, effective, and visible and often makes a loud noise.


Verse 6 is very clear. GOD desires loyalty rather than sacrifice. HE desires for HIS people to seek the knowledge of GOD rather than going through the ritual of offering burnt offerings. GOD does not want people going through the motions of worship. HIS desire is for them to obediently follow HIM because they love HIM and have a genuine desire to know HIM through experience. HE does not want show or a superficial display of worship. HE wants our hearts to be pure before HIM and be open for HIM to teach us.


Do you go through the motions of worship? Then you have a Spiritual problem. If you do not know what the problem is, then ask GOD to reveal it to you.


Let’s read Hosea 6:7-7:2:
7 But they, like Adam,[5] have violated the covenant; there they have betrayed Me. 8 Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with bloody footprints. 9 Like robbers who wait in ambush for someone, a band of priests murders on the road to Shechem. They commit atrocities. 10 I have seen something horrible in the house of Israel: Ephraim’s promiscuity is there; Israel is defiled. 11 A harvest is also appointed for you, Judah.


GOD highlighted the following cities and the atrocities committed in them and HE remembered their sins:


Adam – violated the covenant. This could be the city of Adam or the Adam who we know as the man GOD made in Genesis. Certainly Adam, the man, violated the covenant with GOD. The Israelites also violate d the covenant with GOD.


Gilead – city of evildoers – bloody footprints. In Hosea’s day Gilead was a city of great sin and bloodshed.


Shechem – robbers ambush – priests murder. In Shechem the priests did not speak against and condemn those who were robbing others thus they were guilty of the sin of omission. Their silence was, in essence, support for their wrong doings. Did they remain silent because the robbers were generous givers to the local temple? Do Christians remain silent today because of the generosity or power of those committing acts against fellow humans? This scripture says that the priests themselves were robbing. That could have been physical as well as Spiritual robbery. When those who represent GOD go bad and do not speak truth from GOD, the country is indeed in deep trouble.


GOD saw something horrible in the house of Israel. It was likely Ephraim’s promiscuity. The people of Israel were adulterers by worshipping false gods and engaging in sexual activities offered through the pagan worship of Baal.


As GOD remembered the sins of the people of the cities mentioned and Adam, HE will not forget the sins of Israel, unless they repent. GOD had to allow HIS ONLY SON, JESUS, to come to earth, live and die to pay for Adam’s sin, which we inherited. There will be payday some day. In fact, pay day came when Israel was destroyed and about 100 years later Judah was destroyed.


America cannot continue in their evil ways and escape the punishment of GOD.


Hosea 7:1-2:
When I[6] return My people from captivity,** 1 when I heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim and the crimes of Samaria will be exposed. For they practice fraud; a thief breaks in; a gang pillages outside. 2 But they never consider that I remember all their evil. Now their sins are all around them; they are right in front of My face.


GOD told Israel that they would be punished. They will be scattered to foreign lands. But HE offers them hope - When HE returns HIS people from captivity - When HE heals.


GOD never forgets un-confessed sin. HE remembers all evil for which people have not repented. Non-Christians think GOD will forget but HE remembers and HE will hold them accountable. Those who do wrong are constantly in front of HIS face. So is everyone constantly in front of HIS face? GOD loves the sinner but hates the sin. HIS desire is for everyone to accept CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR. The beauty is that CHRIST died for all sinners. A non-Christian’s part is to confess his/her sins and believe that CHRIST died for him/her upon the cross. Believe or accept that HE was buried and GOD raised HIM from the dead. When you accept CHRIST as your SAVIOR, you are born-again into GOD’S family through CHRIST. As a result, your gift is eternal life, the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT, forgiveness of all your sins present, past and future, you are GOD’S child, your citizenship is in heaven and you have been made righteous, which gives you 24/7 access to GOD.


Salvation is just the beginning of Spiritual growth and maturity. If you do not have a Bible, get one and start by reading the Book of John which is in the New Testament. Ask GOD to reveal truth to you. Ask HIM to lead you to the church where you can grow and mature Spiritually as you obediently serve HIM and get to really know HIM.


Scripture is very clear that GOD is love and maintains HIS covenant of loyalty with HIS children. When HIS children have compromised their lives and are not living for HIM, there comes a point-in-time when HE says, enough is enough. Then HE allows correction to come into our lives individually or corporately.

America, it is time for all Christians to take a stand.