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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction:

Hosea is an extremely interesting character. His ministry was one of the more unique ministries of all the Old Testament prophets.

He was led, by God, to marry a woman of poor character and reputation. His home life was a living message that illustrated the relationship of God's people to their Saviour.

The ministry of Hosea is especially appreciated when contrasted to that of one of his contemporaries, the prophet Amos. Both of these men were prophets who were involved with the ten tribe kingdom. They lived and ministered at a time when their nation was prospering from the material standpoint. The nation was strong militarily and economically. Both prophets dealt with the people's sin but their approach was very different.

Amos lambasted their sin with strong words of denunciation and condemnation. He emphasized that they had broken God's laws and were justly bringing condemnation to themselves.

Hosea preached the same message but with a tone that spoke of grace and love. Hosea condemned their sin from the position that they were the people whom God had sought out for his own and had bestowed his love on them. He told them how they were being unfaithful in rejecting God's love to their own hurt. He also told them that God still loved them and was ready to take them back into his bosom if they would put aside their sin and return to him.

Amos was a man of the law. Hosea was a man of grace.

I.         THE BACKGROUND OF THE MAN HOSEA. (Hosea 1:1)

            A.        The Name Hosea Means Jehovah Is Salvation.

            B.        Hosea Was The Son Of Beeri Of Whom We Know Nothing.

            C.        Hosea Ministered During The Days When Jeroboam II Was King Of Israel.

                        1.         Hosea was disturbed about the spiritual condition of the people and began to act.

                        2.         He knew they could not continue to prosper while being unfaithful to God.

            D.        Hosea's Place Among The Prophets Of God Is Well Established.

                        1.         He is quoted more often than any other minor prophet.

                        2.         He is considered the first prophet of grace.

                        3.         He has been called, "the prophet of a sorrowful heart."

II.       THE MARRIAGE OF HOSEA AND GOMER. (Hosea 1:2-3:5)

            A.        God Directed Hosea To Take A Wife Of Whoredoms. 1:2

                        1.         It is conceivable that Hosea knew Gomer as an attractive young woman but of poor character.

                        2.         Nevertheless, God directed Hosea in such a way that he knew it was the will of God for him to marry her.

                        3.         This marriage caused many to question Hosea. He was criticized and became the object of many cruel jokes.

                        4.         This took great faith on Hosea's part.

            B.        Hosea Married Gomer And Children Were Born. 1:3-9

                        1.         He married Gomer and bestowed on her all that was his.

                                    a.         She took his name.

                                    b.         She shared his home, his reputation, God's favor on him, and whatever else was his.

                                    c.         She was his wife in the fullest sense.

                        2.         The first child was born to Hosea and Gomer. 1:3b-5

                                    a.         The first child was a son and was named Jezreel.

                                    b.         Jezreel is the place where Jehu slew the infamous Jezebel and all who remained of Ahab's family. Cp 2 Kings 9:30-33;10:11

                                    c.         The name Jezreel symbolized the fate that awaited those who defied God.

                                    d.         The Valley of Jezreel has been the sight of many bloody battles and

                                                will be the sight of Armageddon.

                        3.         A second child was born to Gomer. 1:6-7

                                    a.         The child is not said to be Hosea's.

                                    b.         The child was a girl and was named Loruhamah.

                                    c.         The name Loruhamah means unpitied, unloved, one who never knew a father's love.

                                    d.         The name symbolized the time when Israel would no more be pitied by God and would be given over to her enemies.

                        4.         A third child was born to Gomer. 1:8-9

                                    a.         The child was a son and was named Loammi.

                                    b.         Loammi means not my people.

                                    c.         The name symbolized the exile of God's people from the land.

            C.        The Sadness Of Hosea’s Situation And The Depth Of His Love Is Shown. 2:1

                        1.         Jezreel was given a message for his brother and sister. 2:1-5

                                    a.         The names of Loruhamah and Loammi were changed.

                                                (1)       Loammi is now Ammi. (i.e. my people.)

                                                (2)       Loruhamah is now Ruhamah. (i.e. Pitied, loved, knowing a father's love.)

                                    b.        The children were asked to plead with their mother who had left Hosea at this time. 2:2-5

                                                (1)       She was asked to put away her whoredoms and evil ways. 2:2b

                                                (2)       If she continued as she was she would be stripped of all the benefits of being Hosea's wife. 2:3

                                                            (a)       She would be put out as she came in. (i.e. with nothing.)

                                                            (b)       Her children would not be cared for by Hosea. 2:4-5

                                                                        i)         They were the children of whoredoms.

                                                                        ii)        Gomer had played the harlot while married to Hosea.

                        2.         The depths of Gomer's fall into sin was prophesied. 2:6-13

                                    a.         She would be rejected by her lovers. 2:7a

                                    b.         She would determine to return to Hosea. 2:7b

                                    c.         She would have to suffer for a time. 2:10

                        3.         The return to her first estate was prophesied of . 2:14-23

                                    a.         She would be sought out from the place of her adulteries. 2:14-15

                                    b.         There would be a change from the original relationship. 2:16

                                                (1)       In the past she had called Hosea “Baali” which means my Lord.

                                                (2)       In the new relationship she would call him Ishi which means my husband.

                                    c.         The new relationship would be a permanent one of love and peace. 2:17-23

            D.        Hosea Purchased Gomer Out Of Her Whoredoms.

                        1.         He was led of the Lord to seek her out. 3:1

                        2.         He found her being auctioned off as a slave at a public auction. 3:2

                                    a.         She had reached the absolute bottom.

                                    b.         Hosea paid the price for her redemption.

                        3.         He put her in a period of probation. 3:3-4

                                    a.         She was to live under discipline.

                                    b.         She was without the status of wife or mother.

                        4.         The time would come when she would enjoy all the benefits of being Hosea's wife again. 3:5

            E.        The Story Of Hosea And Gomer Is Symbolic Of The Relationship Of God And Israel.

                        Hosea learned the meaning of the suffering love of God for a sinful people.

                        He realized that God is love.

III.      THE MAJOR THRUST OF HOSEA’S MINISTRY.

            A.        He Pointed Out Three Major Misdeeds As Evidence Of Israel’s Unfaithfulness To God.

                        1.         He pointed out the degeneration of worship. 4:6

                                    a.         They had no concept of the spiritual worship of God.

                                    b.         They sought the rational and ended up in Baal worship.

                        2.         He pointed out the ultimate degeneration of their national policy. 7:10-11

                        3.         He pointed out the degeneration of morals.

            B.        The things of major importance to be learned from Hosea's message.

                        1.         Religion must be inward and spiritual.

                        2.         The God of right is the God of all suffering love, and in this fact the recurring struggle between justice and mercy is mirrored

                        3.         Sin is against the love of God.

                        4.         The relationship between God and His people is an intimate one.

                        5.         Love restores broken fellowship.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!