Bible Study - Amazing Love - God Loves Like a "Grand" Father - Hosea 11 - February 20, 2011

Bible Study – Amazing Love – God Loves Like a “Grand” Father – February 20, 2011

This is lesson three (3) in our series “God’s Outrageous Love.”
Our scripture is Hosea 11:1-11.


Did you know that GOD chose you? Ephesians 1:4 - 4 for He chose[3] us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] In love[5] - Why did GOD choose us? It is because HE loved us. HE called us to belong to HIM.


Want to guess who else HE chose? HE chose Israel. The Israelites did not choose HIM. GOD chose the Israelites when they were in slavery in Egypt. But being chosen does not mean GOD will override our will to choose. HE makes it clear who HE is and leaves it up to the individual to respond to HIM without coercion but out of love, respect, awe, thankfulness and appreciation.


As we study our scripture, notice how GOD considered Himself the parent or FATHER of Israel.


Let’s read Hosea 11:1-2
The LORD’s Love for Israel
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.[1]2 [The more]* they[2] called them,[3][the more]* they[4] departed from Me.[5]They kept sacrificing to the • Baals (Baalim is plural for Baals) and burning offerings to idols.


GOD considered Israel HIS child. GOD begins to speak of HIS Father-love for Israel. HE chose Israel, they did not choose HIM. HE chose them because HE loved them. GOD chose them and made them HIS children by adoption. HE loved them and in turn HIS desire was for them to love HIM in return. GOD wanted the Israelites to know of the intimate relationship HE desired for them to have with HIM.


GOD made the relationship between HIM and HIS children more personal and intimate when HE allowed HIS only SON JESUS to willingly come to earth, leave HIS glory in heaven and live as a human from birth to adulthood. He was tempted in all ways as humans are tempted, yet without sin. HE gave HIS life upon the cross for the sins of mankind. HE was buried and GOD resurrected HIM from the dead and revealed Himself to over 500 people after HIS resurrection. HE then ascended into heaven and sit at HIS right hand of GOD HIS FATHER and asked the FATHER to send the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell all who would accept CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR. The HOLY SPIRIT indwells the new believer to assurance, empower, teacher, guide and comfort him/her. CHRIST is a Christian’s advocate. HE intercedes for all who accept HIM as his/her SAVIOR because Satan stands before GOD and accuses GOD’S children of everything they do wrong. CHRIST is there with GOD telling Satan that so and so is covered by the Blood of the Lamb so bug off. CHRIST changed the dynamic from adoption to being “Born” into GOD’S family. Those in the Old Testament were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah and HIS passion upon the cross, whereas we are looking back to the Cross. CHRIST’S passion made it possible for all who believe in HIM to be made righteous and experience the miracle of rebirth.

GOD considers every human HIS child until they totally reject HIM. HE has chosen for Himself the responsibility to present the need for salvation to the eyes of every person’s heart. Every person has the right to accept or reject HIM. As a loving FATHER, HE takes it upon Himself to deal with each person to get him/her to come to HIM and love HIM as HE loves him/her. Our part is to obediently present the Good News of Salvation, as HE leads and directs us. But it is HIS job to bring about Salvation. HE works where only HE can work and that is in the hearts of individuals.

So do not become discouraged if you have presented the plan of Salvation or witnessed to someone and he/she did not respond. You planted the seed which GOD will use to open the “eyes of his/her heart” for him/her to see the need for salvation. But the choice is his or hers to make. GOD will send some to water, dig around, fertilize, prune or nurture. It is GOD’S desire for no person who has ever lived or will ever live to be lost. GOD is calling someone to give his or her life to CHRIST at this moment. Do not delay and ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life now. Experience the love that GOD has for you and live for HIM. Remember you were not made for time but you were made for eternity.


In this scripture we see that GOD called the Israelites when they were in Egypt. But the more HE called them, the more they rejected HIM. They could not accept GOD who loved and led them. Instead, they worshipped pagan gods – Baals and offered sacrifices to idols. Somehow the Israelites got it into their minds that by combining the worship of GOD and pagan gods they would have access to more power, strength and protection. WRONG!!!


GOD must have been shaking HIS head in disbelief that supposedly intelligent people would place their faith in mute stone or wooden images and offer sacrifices to these pagan symbols. Did false gods ever speak to them or lead them? No! Yet, they foolishly placed their trust in the false gods and to some extent GOD. They were straddling the fence. Do we do the same today? Many Christians do when they read their horoscopes, go to fortune tellers and are held hostage by all sorts of superstitions. GOD is a Christian’s power, strength and protection. Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world. Do not be mislead or straddle the fence.


Let’s read Hosea 11:3-4:
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them[6] in My arms, but they never knew that I healed them.[7]4 I led them with human cords, with ropes of kindness. To them I was like one who eases the yoke from their jaws;[8]I bent down to give them food.


GOD continued to ponder the rejection of the Israelites after HE had taught them to walk, led them out of Egypt performed many miracles as they traveled, led them into the Promised Land and coddled them in HIS mighty arms. They did not recognize that it was HE WHO healed them and led them by using human cords and ropes of kindness. When man conquers and captures his enemy, he leads those captured away in physical cords and ropes. They did not acknowledge that HE eased their burden of slavery and sustained them with food. HE was involved in their lives as the GOD of love and not as the GOD of wrath.


This scripture portrays GOD as a nurturer. Just as any loving parent loves, coddles, encourages, trains and nurtures his/her child. GOD’S love and care does no exclude tough love and accountability. GOD’S desire is keep HIS children out of harm’s way.


The sad thing was that the Israelites never knew that it was GOD who cared for them and healed them. HE led them with human cords and ropes of kindness. Their capturers led them with cords and ropes into captivity and exile. HE led them out of captivity and exile into HIS presence because of HIS love for them. HE eased their burden so they could be fed by HIM just as a loving and caring farmer tenderly cares for his animals. GOD is GOD. My prayer is that all who read this lesson will walk away with a clear understanding of GOD’S love for you.


Let’s read Hosea 11:5-11:
5 Israel will not return to the land of Egypt and Assyria will be his king, because they refused to repent. 6 A sword will whirl through his cities; it will destroy and devour the bars of his gates,[9]because of their schemes. 7 My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to Him on high, He will not exalt them at all. 8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I surrender you, Israel? How can I make you like Admah (AD muh)? How can I treat you like Zeboiim (zih BOY im)?[10]I have had a change of heart; My compassion is stirred! 9 I will not vent the full fury of My anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not come in rage.[11]10 They will follow the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west. 11 They will be roused like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes. [This is]* the LORD’s declaration.


Egypt and Assyria were two (2) great rival world powers. The Israelites were divided over which power they would support. Some of the Israelites supported Egypt as an ally. GOD confirmed that the Israelites would not return to Egypt. Others wanted to throw their allegiance to the Assyrians. In fact, King Menahem of Israel had given an Assyrian king 75,000 pounds of silver in hopes of making Israel more secure. Not long after Hosea’s ministry, 722 BC Israel fell to Assyria just as GOD said because they refused to repent.


As a result, Israel experienced the wrath of GOD – Swords in their cities – Israel will be destroyed – Israel’s gates will be destroyed which renders them helpless because of their schemes – Israel was determined to turn from HIM – Yet the people of Israel called upon HIM to lift them up. Did GOD cause this or allow it? HE allowed it and controlled the results. Only eternity will reveal what GOD has protected us from by NOT allowing punishment to come our way because we repented and asked HIM to forgive us. Do not turn your back on the prompting of the LORD to confess your sins and repent, which means to stop sinning and turn to HIM. HE forgives, forgets and restores when our confession and repenting is from the heart.


It is interesting that GOD stated that the Israelites would not return to Egypt. GOD had to deliver them from Egyptian bondage and slavery. HE took it upon Himself to deliver them from Egypt the first time. HE knew they would be captured by Assyria and taken into exile but they would have to make the decision to return to Israel. HE would not do it for them.


Life is often this way. GOD has delivered many us from various bondages. When we are disobedient and return to a sinful lifestyle, HE says, “I AM here waiting but you must make the decision to return to ME.”


We get to see the anguish GOD goes through in determining the fate of Israel. Justice had to prevail. GOD referenced Ephraim, which generally referred to the Northern Kingdom but here it referred to the entire nation of Israel. HE did not want to destroy Israel but HE had brought judgment upon the cities of Admah (AD muh) and Zeboiim (zih BOY im), therefore, HE could not let the Israelites off scot-free. These two (2) cities were destroyed when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. Israel fell in 722 BC (Southern Kingdom) and Judah fell in 587 BC and its survivors went into exile for 70 years. After exile the Israelites chose to return to Israel, rebuild Jerusalem and rekindle their faith in GOD. After the Jews returned to Israel, some of the more devout Jews began looking for the Promised Messiah.


GOD considered destroying Israel but HE had a change of heart and chose not to release HIS full fury upon Israel. HE chose to spare Israel. HE changed HIS mind because of HIS compassion for Israel. GOD was revealing HIS heart as HE pondered how best to deal with HIS children. Yet, justice had to prevail. This called for tough love.


Verse 9b is so revealing – “For I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not come in rage.” GOD is GOD and HE acts like GOD. HE does not act like man. GOD was very upset with the way the Israelites had treated HIM. They acted like an unrepentant, in HIS face, rebellious, do and worship as I please child. Would GOD treat them as they had treated HIM? GOD would show them and the rest of the world down through the ages HIS nature in dealing with the Israelites and disobedient Christians. GOD is GOD and HE does not react as man. As Christians, HIS desire is for us, through the renewing of our minds, to act like HE would and not as the flesh reacts. GOD had the choice of annihilating Israel or allowing them to reap the consequences of their sins and then deliver them. HE chose the latter. Why? Because HE loved them and had compassion on them.


Why did GOD choose Israel? HE chose them because HE loved them. Let’s read Deuteronomy 7:7-11:


7 “The LORD was devoted to you and chose you, not because you were more numerous than all peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the place of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh King of Egypt. (Remember what GOD has done for you and delivered you.) 9 Know that • Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands. 10 But He directly pays back[3] and destroys those who hate Him.[4] He will not hesitate to directly pay back[5] the one who hates Him. 11 So keep the command—the statutes and ordinances—that I am giving you to follow today.


GOD loves all true Christians but HE expects them to be obedient to HIM. GOD had the power to destroy the Israelites but HE chose not to destroy them. HE chose them because HE loved them and had promised Abraham that HE would make HIS descendants into a great nation. Consider this, of all the nations in Bible times, which nation has survived and is a nation today? It is Israel. It is still small but powerful country.


It all began because Abram (Abraham) was faithful and obediently followed GOD. He was not perfect. GOD still has a plan for Israel then and now. Today, Christians are HIS chosen people because they acknowledge JESUS as the Promised Messiah and their SAVIOR. Most Jews have rejected CHRIST as the Promised Messiah. But there will be a time when they will acknowledge HIM as their Promised Messiah and ask HIM to forgive them for their sins and come into their lives. Then they will become GOD’S chosen again. I quickly add that there are many Messianic Jews today who acknowledge CHRIST as their Messiah. There is a day coming when most Jews will acknowledge CHRIST as their SAVIOR and LORD.


Notice the hope that GOD has for Israel in verses 10 and 11. HIS foreknowledge allows HIM to know the end result. HE knows that they will come back to HIM after a time of being in exile for the consequences of their sins. GOD never gives up on an individual. If you have been disobedient to GOD and think HE has abandoned you, forget it. HE waits right where you left HIM. Repent and return to HIM right now. Why? It is because HE chose you, loves you and sent HIS ONLY SON, JESUS, to die for you.


Today is the day of salvation for the non-Christian to accept CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR or the wayward Christian to return to CHRIST.


I want us to consider verses 6, 7 and 8 in light of our lives. Christians and non-Christians alike are surrounded by an enemy, Satan. He makes sure we are tempted with the things that will appeal to us. When we compromise and step into an area of sin the enemy knows we are vulnerable, he breaks down the gates that guard our minds. When that happens, the enemy comes into our lives and carries us off into captivity and exile – various addictions and grievous sins.


This can happen to Christians who compromise their relationship with CHRIST. For the non-Christian he/she never had a relationship CHRIST. In either case CHRIST is the deliverer. They both need to repent of their wrong doings. Repenting is turning from evil and turning to CHRIST. Repenting is not a flippant gesture but a recognition of the wrong and turning to CHRIST for salvation and forgiveness for the non-Christian or forgiveness and restoration for the Christian. Repentance is heartfelt sorrow for abandoning or turning one’s back on GOD.


Nations are made up of individuals and collectively they make up a country or nation. Thus, so goes the individuals so goes the nation or country. Folk’s it is time for Christians to stop being chameleons and conforming to the world but it is time for Christians to take a stand. It is for the survival of America. America was founded upon Christian principles and honoring the true GOD. Yes, our forefathers wanted the citizens of this new nation to be able to worship in freedom and not at the direction of the government. This allowed for the various Christian denominations. If we were to go to a country or nation that worships a certain deity, then we would expect them to worship that deity. In America we worship CHRIST. HE is our choice as a nation. Therefore, Christians must not shrink from taking a stand and having the right to pray in the name of JESUS at any event appropriate for prayer.


Because of our religious freedom, other religions can worship in America without fear of harassment. But the minority must not dictate to the majority.


America is on a very slippery slope. Now is the time for Christians to take a stand. GOD did not spare Israel and HE will not spare America.