Hosea
I.
Introduction
A.
Subject been announced previously
1.
Been suggested and men agreed to help simulate Bible reading
to have lessons from an announced scripture reading
2.
First installment of practice is tonight
B.
As preacher I will do my part of presenting a lesson taken
from the assigned reading
1.
May not be exactly what you would have thought after reading
2.
Nevertheless I am happy to do as asked, and present a lesson
from the reading
C.
Before beginning would like some input from you
1.
Assignment was given at the beginning of the month
2.
Ask who has read the entire book of Hosea? (show hands)
II.
The Prophet Hosea
A.
What is prophet/prophecy need to understand this before
taking a look at the writings of a prophet
1.
Prophecy not merely prediction
a)
Common idea of telling the future which they did
b)
Etymology of Greek word is
(1)
Pro in place of
(2)
Phet (Phemi, Gr) to speak
(3)
Illustrate with Moses and Aaron (spoke in place of Moses)
c)
May deal with past present or future events
2.
Prophecy a product of Inspiration
a)
Prophets spoke as inspired by God thru Holy Spirit
b)
Hebrew word for prophet nabhi
(1)
Derived from a word meaning to boil up
(2)
Suggesting a pouring forth of words from divine inspiration
c)
Constantly saying Thus saith the Lord
3.
Prophets far from being infallible
a)
Didnt live in a perpetual state of inspiration with
infallibility of all their words and actions
b)
Illustrate with prophet Nathan
(1)
Spoke to David and said build the temple
(2)
Then Thus saith the Lord 2 Sam. 7:1-5
B.
Hoseas Background Hosea 1-3
1.
Son of Beeri Hosea 1:1 (name means salvation)
a)
First of Minor Prophets in OT, contemporary with Amos
b)
Last of prophets to 10 northern tribes
c)
Prophesied from Jeroboam II till captivity
d)
Prophet of Israel zero hour, during the awful last lap of
Israels downfall
2.
His wife and children along with the tragedy of the prophets
married life are all symbolic of the relationship between Jehovah and Israel
a)
Instructed to marry a wife of whoredom
Wife Gomer - unfaithful to Hosea
b)
Children of Hosea given names and they are symbolic
(1)
Son (said to be his own) Jezreel
God will sow(disperse)
(2)
Daughter Lo rahumah
not having obtained mercy
(3)
Son Lo Ammi
Not my people
C.
Environment of life of Hosea
1.
2 Kings 10:30 with 15:8-12, see the last of the kings of
Israel with divine appointment
a)
Kings that followed seized the throne by killing the King in
office
b)
Hosea during these last evil kings
2.
State of the Nation seen in evils which Hosea describes and
rejects
a)
Swearing and falsehood 4:1,2
b)
Murder and bloodshed 4:2, 5:2, 6:8
c)
Robbing and murder gangs of priest 6:9, 7:1
d)
Wide prevailing adultery 4:2, 11; 7:4
e)
Perversion, false-dealing and oppression 10:4, 12:7
f)
Idolatry 4:12, 13; 8:5; 10:1,5; 13:2
g)
Drunkenness 4:11; 7:5
3.
Things went down hill since the days of Amos, Adultery was
consecrated as part of the religious rites connected with idolatrous calf
worship 4:14
4.
It was to these people that Hosea lifted up his voice in the
name of Jehovah
III.
The Prophecy instructions from God Hosea 4:1
A.
With the introduction of the man and his family in the first 3
chapters, the following chapters record the address of God thro Hosea to the
ten northern tribes (Ephraim is used to refer to these tribes)
1.
The Last chapters of the book give principles, which led to
the downfall of the nation.
2.
We will do well to take inventory as individuals and as a
congregation
B.
Begin with the controversy with the People - Hosea 4:1-5
1.
People had rejected the word of God
2.
No truth, no mercy, no knowledge of God
3.
Notice again the ungodly condition of the nation
C.
Loss of Priestly relationships 4:6-11
D.
Like the wife of Hosea, Israel had left God for others
4:12-19
1.
Notice particular verse 15
E.
Judgment of God pronounced upon all workers of Iniquity
Chapters 5 13
1.
Hear this, Take Heed, Give ear
a)
Hosea 5:1
b)
Like Parent giving instructions making sure the child hears
and understands
2.
Judgment upon all whether ruler, priest, or people
3.
There is a call to repent, come back to God
4.
No time to waste, it was time for serious consideration of the
controversy God had with his people
F.
Principal steps to the downfall (quickly)
1.
Lack of Knowledge 4:6
2.
Pride 5:5
3.
Instability 6:4
4.
Worldliness 7:8
5.
Corruption 9:9
6.
Backsliding 11:7
7.
Idolatry 13:2
IV.
The Purpose call to repentance
A.
What was the purpose of the prophecy of Hosea
1.
We have seen the ungodly actions of the nation
2.
Gone in to full blown apostasy
3.
Had departed from God and all that was holy
B.
Hosea reminds the people who God is
1.
There is One God and that God is Jehovah Hosea 8:4-6
2.
God is Righteous Hosea 9:9
a)
God will punish sin
b)
But righteousness will win his favor
3.
God is Love
a)
As a loving husband to his bride; saving a fallen wife
b)
And as a loving father to his children; restoring a wayward
son
C.
All to call the people to repent Hosea 14:1
1.
As evil and ungodly as they were, God still love them and
would receive them back
2.
Say unto him Hosea 14:2-3
3.
And the Lord will say Hosea 14:4-7
4.
Summary in verse 14:8
V.
Conclusion
A.
The call is the same today to Spiritual Israel (church)
1.
God loves John 3:16
2.
God as provided 2 Peter 1:3
3.
Yet we stray
a)
Abuse scriptures to cover doctrinal disagreements
b)
Individual Christians drifting into worldliness
(1)
Social drinking
(2)
Cursing
(3)
Immodesty
4.
God calling for repentance
a)
As was with Israel, there is still time
b)
But also will come a time when the righteousness will demand
judgment, then no time to repent or physical death
B.
We look back and say, If only Israel could realize how much
God loved them, they would come back
1.
Do you realize how much God loves you
2.
We have a much better covenant than did Israel, we can receive
forgiveness of sins
3.
We have Jesus Christ the perfect sacrifice
4.
Do you know how much God loves you? If so are you following
him
C.
End with Hosea 14:9
1.
The destinies of men are determined by their obedience and
attitude toward God
2.
His way are right
3.
Do you have a relationship with God or just a religion?
D.
Let us be faithful