Bible Study - Amazing Love - God Loves the Unlovely - Hosea 1 - February 6, 2011

Bible Study – Amazing Love – God Loves the Unlovely – February 6, 2011

This is the first lesson in our new series of study entitled “God’s Amazing Love.”
Our scripture for this study will be taken from the book of Hosea. Our scripture for this lesson is Hosea 1:1-11; 3:1-5.


James Montgomery Boice has stated that the Book of Hosea is the second greatest story in the Bible. The first greatest story is the story of the incarnation, life, suffering, death, burial and resurrection of JESUS.


The Book of Hosea begins with a message to the Prophet Hosea. Hosea served as a prophet to Israel – the Northern Kingdom – 753-715 BC.


Situation:
• Israel’s last six (6) kings were especially wicked.
• They promoted heavy taxes.
• Oppressed the poor.
• Promoted idol worship.
• Total disregard of GOD.
• Israel was subject to Assyria and was forced to pay heavy taxes to them, which bankrupted the country. Assyria had captured Israel in 722 BC.
• Does this ring a bell for us today?

Main Message of GOD to the people through Hosea:
 Hosea was a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel.
 He served from 753 – 715 BC.
 When Israel was under the reign of Jeroboam II, the northern kingdom prospered materially but declined Spiritually. The Israelites were greedy and had adopted the moral behavior and idolatrous religion of the surrounding Canaanites.
 Hosea’s role was to show how the northern kingdom had been unfaithful to GOD, Israel’s “husband” and provider. The Israelites had married themselves to Baal and the gods of Canaan.
 Hosea warned that unless they repented of their sin and returned to GOD, they were headed for destruction.
 Hosea stated the nature of GOD – HIS powerful love and HIS justice. The Israelite’s were aware of both the love of GOD and the wrath of GOD. They knew if they repented GOD would accept them back into fellowship but instead they broke their covenant with GOD and would not return. The result was punishment.
 Some Bible scholars question whether or not the story of Hosea is a true story or an illustration. Others believe it is a historical story. Some of the rationale for support that it is a true story is: (1) Some scholars say a priest cannot marry a prostitute or a divorced woman. However, Hosea was not a priest. He was a prophet. (2) It is possible Gomer was not an adulterous woman before she married Hosea. GOD was letting Hosea know beforehand the direction her life would take.
 Hosea knew ahead of time that Gomer would be unfaithful to him and that their life together would be a graphic example to the adulterous northern kingdom. Hosea’s marriage to an unfaithful wife would illustrate GOD’S relationship to the unfaithful nation of Israel.
• The Israelites had sinned against GOD as illustrated by GOD commanding Hosea, HIS prophet, to marry a woman who would betray her marriage vows – as an adulterous woman sins against her husband.
• Judgment was sure to come to those living in total disregard for GOD and fellow human beings.

Importance of GOD’S Message in the Book of Hosea:


• When we sin, we sever our relationship with GOD by breaking our commitment with HIM. Just as adultery breaks our marriage vows with our spouse. Christians do not lose their salvation but they lose their relationship because sin is a barrier to worship and fellowship.
• All who sin against GOD must answer to HIM for their sins. There are consequences for sin.
• However, all who seek GOD’S forgiveness are spared eternal judgment. First John 1:9 is vital for all Christians: 9 If (since) we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Our part is to confess. Confessing is agreeing with GOD that we have missed the mark/sinned. This is not making a flippant remark to GOD. It is truly realizing that we have sinned and truly are sorry for that sin. GOD knows our hearts and HE is in the position to judge whether or not we are sincere – be sincere and if you are not, you are playing a game with GOD and HE knows the truth.


Let’s read Hosea 1:1-11:
• 1 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel.


• Hosea’s Marriage and Children


• 2 When the LORD first spoke to Hosea (hoe ZAY uh), He said this to him: Go and marry a promiscuous wife and [have]* children of promiscuity, for the whole land has been promiscuous by abandoning the LORD. 3 So he went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim (dib LAY im), and she conceived and bore him a son. 4 Then the LORD said to him: Name him Jezreel (JEZ reel) (scattered), for in a little while I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu (JEE hyoo)[1]and put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. 5 On that day I will break the bow of Israel[2]in the valley of Jezreel.[3]6 She conceived again and gave birth to a daughter, and the LORD said to him: Name her No Compassion (Lo-Ruhamah/ low roo HAY muh),[4]for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel. I will certainly take them away. 7 But I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will deliver them by the LORD their God. I will not deliver them by bow, sword, or war, or by horses and cavalry. 8 After Gomer had weaned No Compassion, she conceived and gave birth to a son. 9 Then the LORD said: Name him Not My People (Lo-Ammi/ low AM eye),[5]for you are not My people, and I will not be your God.[6]10 [7] Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And in the place where they were told: You are not My people, they will be called: Sons of the living God.[8]11 And the Judeans and the Israelites will be gathered together. They will appoint for themselves a single ruler, and go up from[9] the land. For the day of Jezreel will be great.


GOD gave specific instructions to HIS prophet. HE wanted Hosea and the people of Israel to have a real life example of HIS relationship with HIS Bride the Israelites.


Hosea means salvation. Hosea preached during the reign of four (4) kings.

Hosea symbolically became GOD and his wife, Gomer, represented HIS chosen people, Israel. GOD used Hosea as an example to the Israelites. Gomer’s unfaithfulness to a prophet of GOD, Hosea, was GOD’S way of showing the Israelites their unfaithfulness to HIM. However, Hosea’s longsuffering, patience and forgiveness was an example of GOD’S willingness to accept the Israelites back as HIS people, provided they repented.


There are three (3) areas where this prophecy applies:

1. Political Application – House of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel. King Ahab, before Jehu, wanted a certain vineyard that belonged to Naboth. Naboth lived in the area called Jezreel. Ahab offered another piece of property but Naboth refused it because the vineyard was a family inheritance. Ahab offered him money which he refused. So on the advice of King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, Ahab had Naboth killed and took his property. GOD pronounced doom on Ahab’s family. (1 Kings 22:29-38) - Ahab’s Death


29 Then the king of Israel (Ahab) and Judah’s King Jehoshaphat went up to Ramoth-gilead. 30 But the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal attire.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.[15]31 Now the king of Aram had ordered his 32 chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone at all except the king of Israel.” 32 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they shouted, “He must be the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out. 33 When the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.[16]34 But a man drew his bow without taking special aim[17] and struck the king of Israel through the joints of his armor. So he said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle,[17] for I am badly wounded!” 35 The battle raged throughout that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. He died that evening,[18] and blood from his wound flowed into the bottom of the chariot. 36 Then the cry rang out in the army as the sun set, declaring: Each man to his own city, and each man to his own land![19]37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria. They buried the king in Samaria. 38 Then someone washed the chariot at the pool of Samaria. The dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes bathed [in it]* , according to the word of the LORD that He had spoken.[20]


2. Application to Israel – Jezreel means “scattered.” Hosea’s prophecy was not long before the fall of Samaria and the captivity of the people in the northern kingdom about 722 BC. Hosea was forecasting the scattering of the Jews which began in 722 BC. The Jews are still scattered but in 1948, they began reestablishing themselves as a nation in Israel.


3. Application to other than the Jewish people. It is human nature to apply prophesy to others but difficult to apply it to ourselves. How do we view ourselves in this story? As Gomer? It is hard for Christians to think of themselves as Gomer yet we allow things to come into our lives that come between us and GOD. Do we depend upon our daily horoscope or lucky charm or anything we depend upon more than GOD to guide us through the day or do we depend upon GOD? The bottom line to all people is when they reject GOD, they get into trouble. Hosea is a story of the love of GOD but also GOD’S judgment on those who reject HIM. It is a judgment of love because GOD knows the end result for those that reject HIM and the glory that awaits those who repent and come back to HIM.


Consider the three (3) children birthed by Gomer and into Hosea’s family:


• First child –son – Gomer could have been faithful at this time in her life. The child is thought to be Hosea’s. They named him Jezreel which means “scattered.” Christians can be scattered from a relationship with GOD because of pride, self-sufficiency, stubbornness, unbelief, and in what other ways? GOD allows HIS children to be scattered from a relationship with HIM to let them experience a void in their lives so they will return to HIM. When they return they are less likely to stray again once the relationship has been restored.


• Second child - daughter – likely not Hosea’s child but he took her as his. They named her Lo-Ruhamah which means “not pitied” or “not loved.” How would you like for your parents to name you “not loved?” This is contradictory to the nature of GOD because GOD is love. However, when HIS people insist on their own way and persevere in sin, sin casts a barrier between Christians and HIM. Darkness comes into our lives and GOD allows it because it delivers a message to us and is a wake-up call for confession and repentance. If GOD turned HIS back on us permanently, then that would be a sad situation indeed. This was a graphic illustration of how GOD wants HIS children to act toward others.


• Third child – son – likely not Hosea’s but he took him into his family. They named him Lo-Ammi which means “not my people.” Because Israel was once GOD’S chosen people does it mean they will always be GOD’S chosen people? They are not “HIS chosen people” today because Christians are HIS chosen people. Can they be “GOD’S chosen people again?” YES and they will near the last days. Some are, even now, because there are Messianic Jews that believe CHRIST is the Promised Messiah and have asked HIM to forgive them of their sins and to come into their lives.


• The love of GOD through CHRIST brings all – Jew, Gentile, all races, rich, poor - who believe in CHRIST together. The Apostle Paul addressed this in Ephesians 2:11-22 and Romans 11:17-23:
Ephesians 2:11-22:
11 So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” done by hand in the flesh. 12 At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, with no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. 14 For He is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In His flesh, 15 He did away with the law of the commandments in regulations, so that He might create in Himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace. 16 [He did this so]* that He might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross and put the hostility to death by it.[7] 17 When [Christ]* came, He proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. 21 The whole building is being fitted together in Him and is growing into a holy sanctuary in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.


Romans 11:17-23:
17 Now if some of the branches were broken off, and you, though a wild olive branch, were grafted in among them, and have come to share in the rich root[14] of the cultivated olive tree, 18 do not brag that you are better than those branches. But if you do brag—you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 True enough; they were broken off by unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either. 22 Therefore, consider God’s kindness and severity: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness toward you—if you remain in His kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not remain in unbelief, will be grafted in, because God has the power to graft them in again.

Let’s read Hosea 3:1-5:
Waiting for Restoration
1 Then the LORD said to me, “Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the LORD loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” 2 So I bought her for 15 • shekels of silver and five bushels of barley.[1][2] 3 I said to her, “You must live with me many days. Don’t be promiscuous or belong to any man, and I will act the same way toward you.” 4 For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, and without • ephod or household idols. 5 Afterwards, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come with awe to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.


Gomer left Hosea and pursued a life of adultery and wild living. She accumulated wealth. She was a kept woman until one day her lewd world came crashing around her head and she was on the auction block to be sold as a common slave. GOD told Hosea to go and purchase her, redeem her, and bring her back into his home.


Again, this is a graphic picture of Israel turning away from GOD, GOD allowing them to fall into a pitiful state and then redeeming them because HE loved them. This is the love that GOD has for every person who has ever lived or will ever live. HIS love is what compelled HIM to allow CHRIST to come to earth, live as a human and give HIS life to redeem all who would believe in HIM. This same love compelled CHRIST to be willing to leave HIS home in heaven to come to earth, leaving HIS glory behind, live a sinless life, give HIS life to redeem all who would believe in HIM as their SAVIOR and LORD.


Hosea was obedient and redeemed Gomer for 15 shekels of silver and five (5) bushels of barley. He brought her back home but with specific instructions, which she agreed to.


In verses 3-5 as Hosea gave specific instructions to Gomer, which were instructions for Israel. GOD wanted them, during these days of reconciliation, to abstain from their former ways of life. They were to be loyal to HIM as they pondered their sinful and pitiful condition. They would not have a king or prince to lead them but they had GOD. They were to depend upon GOD alone. They would not have a priest to offer sacrifices because there was no temple. They were not to go back to worshiping gods represented by stone images/pillars. GOD wanted them to look to HIM and HIM alone as their redeemer from their fallen state.


GOD promised them that if they obeyed HIM the day was coming when HE would restore what they had lost. But until then they had to be obedient to HIM.

This scripture reveals the length, depth and width of the love of GOD for HIS children then and today. HE punishes them because HE loves them. When they repent and seek a renewed relationship with HIM, HE is there with open arms. But HE does not play a game. HE loves us and is patient with us but we are accountable to HIM - Christians and non-Christians. There will be a day when every knee will bow and every person who has ever lived will call JESUS LORD. 

If you have never accepted CHRIST as your SAVIOR, ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life right now. Why? Because GOD love you and sent HIS ONLY SON to die for your sins. That is amazing love. Please accept it today and know the wonder of forgiveness and following HIM. Blessings to all.