Hosea Review Continued

Today, I am going to continue to review some of the things the Bible has taught us, not only in Hosea but in all the books.  It may seem that I am always putting Christians in a negative light, but nothing could be farther from the truth.  Today we as Christians need to be stronger than ever in our faith if we are going to be effective in reaching the world for Christ.  Just as God's people did throughout history, we cannot afford to look to the world for security.  This was something that Israel, God's chosen people, forgot over and over.  When they found themselves successful in the eyes of the world they tended to forget God and look to the world for security.  We today can be just as guilty.  Our success or failure does not rest in riches and the power of any government, but in our relationship with God.  From the nation of Israel's first desire for an earthly king, they began to continually fall out of their covenant relationship with God.  When we look to earthly rulers for security, and feel that God and His standards are unimportant, we begin to fall out of God's will for us.  Whether at any time in the history of Israel or in the world today, we must put God first in all things.  We also see that sacrifices made outside the will of God are more than useless, even if they are supposedly made to God.  They are an insult to God instead.  Again, we cannot just add God's name to what we are doing and expect Him to accept it if we haven't asked for His guidance to start with.  We need to remember that anything we give to God is His to start with.  Finally, we must acknowledge that God wants restoration with His people, and not punishment of them.  God stands ready to forgive everyone, but He leaves it up to each individual to accept that forgiveness.  God is not vindictive but merciful, and He awaits to forgive those who call on Him for forgiveness.

Hosea Review

Today, I will review what I believe the book of Hosea is telling us today.  The first thing is that following the will of God is not easy.  Hosea was a prophet of God, but he was instructed to take a wife who was not the person Hosea would have likely chosen on his own.  We like Hosea must put God's will first even if we do not fully understand why He is asking us to do a particular thing.  When we do know what God is directing us to do, we like Hosea must do it without question.  Hosea was also telling the people of Israel something they did not want to hear.  They thought they had everything planned out, and they did not need God's protection.  They were going to rely on the powers of the world to protect them and worship the gods that everyone else worshipped.  We as followers of Christ today must never feel that we are so successful that we really don't need to look to God for direction daily.  If we become indifferent to God at any time, we are likely to find ourselves worshipping some other god.  False gods do not have to be statues but can be anything that comes between God and us, such as self-pride or material success.  Hosea reminded Israel that they were not God's people by physical birth or earthly merit, but that they were His people because He chose to enter into a covenant relationship with them.  God could have chosen the most powerful nation to reveal Himself to the world through, but He chose Israel, a basically insignificant group of people.  God does not call us today because we are strong, but He calls us because without Him, no matter how strong we may feel that we are, we are weak and insignificant without Him. We enter into a covenant relationship with God through accepting Christ, and only then can we call ourselves God's people.  We may wonder how Israel, those who called themselves God's people, could have fallen so far out of His will, but it occurred a little at a time, not all at once. Whenever we let anything come between God and us, no matter how small that thing might be, unless we repent and turn again to God, we will be subject to falling more under the power of sin.  For the people of Israel, that meant that they were God's people in name only but were spiritually no more His than the rest of the world.  When we come to God through faith in Christ, we will always be His, but we can become ineffective servants when we allow the things of the world to come between God and us.

Hosea 14:5

Hosea 14:5 says, I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.  Verse four had given the good news that God had not abandoned Israel forever, and verse five begins to give Israel the results of following God again when they returned to Him.  God's people would again find true comfort by their relationship with God.  This restoration came through Jesus Christ, and it is a spiritual restoration, not an earthly one.  Jesus did not come to be an earthly ruler, but a spiritual one instead.  When Israel was once again in the right relationship with God, they would once again find success.  God would daily revive them, like dew does plants.  When we are in God's will, He will likewise daily revive us spiritually.  I cannot say that everything will always go well in earthly terms, but they will in spiritual terms, which is the only way that counts.  Verse six adds, His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.  Olive branches are usually associated with peace, and I believe God was telling His people that they were to bring His peace to the world.  They were to be deeply rooted in their faith in God, as are we today.  Deeply rooted trees are not easily blow over, and deeply rooted faith is the same.  We should not have our faith falter at the first sign of trouble but must stand fast in all the storms of life.  Verse seven continues, They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. I believe that Hosea was promising the remnant of true believers that they would be restored.  Those who truly believed God and lived by faith in Him were not spared the earthly defeat and captivity, but as His people, they were promised ultimate victory.  We may at times feel that the world is being victorious over us but as followers of Christ, we can be sure of an everlasting victory through our faith in Him.  Verse eight states, Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.  Ephraim, and all the people of Israel, would eventually realize that there was no hope or protection in the things of this world and would return to God.  We today must realize the same thing.  We can never find hope and security in the things of this world but can find them in God alone.  Verse nine adds, Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.  The people of Israel were asked a question, Who is wise and will understand these things of God? When we look for wisdom, it can come only from God.  If we are prudent, we will put our faith in Him.  Hosea reminded the people of Israel that the ways of God were right and that the just would walk in them.  Those who did not walk in the ways of the Lord would fall.  Hosea warned the people of Israel of their coming destruction, but he left them with hope if they returned to God.

Hosea 14:1

Hosea 14:1 says, O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.  Hosea here begins to call on the people of Israel to return to God.  There was hope for them beyond the coming destruction if they simply returned to putting their faith in God.  God has overcome the destructive power of sin, and all we have to do is put our faith in Him to claim that victory.   Verse two adds, Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.  God was not going to force the people of Israel to return to Him, but He still called to them and stood ready to forgive them.  God calls us today, but He still does not force Himself on us.  We must willingly respond to His call.  Verse three continues, Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.  Israel would come to understand that there was no hope of an everlasting relationship in the things of this world.  Idols and riches would fail them, just as they will fail us today.  They were to show the mercy of God to the world.  Until Israel accepted their true relationship with God, they would be as Fatherless spiritually as the rest of the world.  Idols made by hand can never be a real spiritual Father.  Through God alone can we have everlasting security.  Verse four concludes, I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. Even as God was allowing Israel to suffer for their sins, He was giving them hope.  If we fall into sin as followers of Christ, that does not leave us with no hope.  God awaits for our forgiveness and restoration, even if we suffer spiritually from not following His will completely.  Once we are saved through faith in Christ, our salvation is not then dependent on our works, but is still ours forever through our acceptance of that salvation once and for all time.

Hosea 13:9

Hosea 13:9 says, O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.  God tells Israel in no uncertain terms that they had destroyed themselves.  When we are out of God's will, we are setting ourselves up for the destruction of our works.  God reminded them that He was the true source of their help.  God stands ready to help us today if we only acknowledge Him as the Lord of our lives. This does not mean parts of our lives, but every aspect of our lives.  Verse ten adds, I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?  God was to be their King, but the people of God wanted an earthly king that they could follow, and that had now led to a divided kingdom and a rejection of God.  No matter where we live in the world today, God must be our King, the One Who directs our lives.  Verse eleven God continues, I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.  An earthly king was never what God intended for His people, but He allowed them to select one, and they chose wrong from the start.  Today, if we live where we really have a choice, we need to select leaders under God's guidance if we are followers of Christ.  Verse twelve states, The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.  God may not have yet acted to punish them for their sins, but the sins were not forgotten.  Sin can only be dealt with when we ask God's forgiveness for it.  Though we may prosper while sinning and think we have gotten away with it God binds sin up to be dealt with ultimately.  Verse thirteen adds, The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.  A woman who is expecting a baby knows that eventually the birth of the baby will bring pain to her.  I believe Hosea was telling God's people that sin was the same way.  Sin would result in pain, and for that reason alone it made no sense to remain under the power of sin.  This has not changed today.  Verse fourteen continues, I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.  God promised a way to overcome the penalty of sin, which was death, everlasting spiritual separation from God.  We know through Christ God fulfilled that promise.  We must simply repent of our sins and accept God's gift of salvation by faith.  Verse fifteen says, Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.  God's people might have been prosperous while worshipping other gods, but it was temporary.  We may feel that we are doing so great in life that we don't need God, but if we are not following His will for our lives, it is only a temporary success.  Verse sixteen adds, Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.  God had been the source of the success of His people, and due to their rebellion, He was removing His protection, and they would be destroyed. We as followers of Christ are protected by God's power, and as long as we remain faithful to Him, we can never be spiritually destroyed, no matter what happens to us in this life.

Hosea 13:1

Hosea 13:1 says, When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.  When Ephraim, a part of the nation of Israel, worshipped God in the awe that He deserves, Ephraim was successful.  The people were not satisfied with God's provision and protection of them though, and sought out idols, represented here by Baal.  We should learn to be content with our needs being met and not fall into the trap of allowing material desires to become what we are most interested in.  Ephraim was guilty of pride and greed and looked to man-made gods to fulfill these desires.  Verse two adds, And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.  Sin breeds sin.  God's chosen people were falling farther and farther away from Him.  We cannot allow even a small amount of sin in our lives if we are to effectively serve God.  Verse three continues, Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.  Though the people of Israel felt successful, their real accomplishments would be no more lasting than the dew or mist.  As soon as the sun came out, they would pass away.  If our works are not for God, they will not last in the Light, which Christ brings to our lives.  Verse four proclaims, Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.  God was reminding those who called themselves His people that He is the only God.  God is the only One Who can deliver and save people.  In this, we as His followers, must always be exclusive.  There is but One true God, and He alone can deliver us from sin and its penalty. Verse five adds, I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.  I believe that God was reminding the people of Israel that He was not some new god, like the ones they were worshipping, but that He had been with them since He called them.  Even in the bad times, God was with them, and so He is with us today. Verse six continues, According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.   God had been the One to bring them success, yet they had forgotten Him.  Sometimes, we seem to be closer to God in our struggles than we are in our successes, but we must remember that we owe it all to God.  Verse seven says, Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:  Verse eight adds, I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.  When God's people refuse to follow Him, they can expect God's judgment on them.  This is not God's desire, but it is a choice people can make.  Once more, if we are truly His through Christ, we are saved forever, but if we stray from His will, we can expect the things that we do that are not in God's will to be destroyed.  We must always remember that God alone should direct our lives.

Hosea 12:7

Hosea 12:7 says, He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.  Here, God is referring to Ephraim and comparing them to the merchants of Canaan.  The people of Ephraim were successful because they cheated people and loved to oppress them, just as the merchants of Canaan had done.  Remember, these were people who called themselves God's people.  We as followers of Christ are God's people today, and we must deal fairly with people in all our dealings with them.  We may not become as materially rich that way, but we will be spiritually enriched.  Verse eight adds, And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin. The people of Ephraim were basically saying that it didn't matter how they became rich in the things of the world, only that they had.  Their pride was in their business abilities, no matter how corrupt those business abilities might have been.  They were trading an everlasting relationship with God for temporary riches of the world.  They also felt it was all for their self-gratification at the expense of those they were supposed to be reaching for God.  Verse nine continues, And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.  The people of Israel may have failed in their part of their covenant relationship with God, but He would still remain true to His part, as soon as they repented and returned to Him.  When we, as followers of Christ, fail to live up to our commitment to God, He does not cease to be our heavenly Father.  God was speaking to the remnant of true believers and those that would later come to Him through faith.  He would give them tabernacles to live in.  They had worshipped in tabernacles during their wandering in the wilderness due to lack of faith, and they were going to be wanderers again. We think of tabernacles as places of worship, and with the Holy Spirit indwelling us, wherever we reside should be a place to worship God.  Verse ten states, I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.  God was still active with those who were called His people.  God sent prophets whom He spoke to through visions to minister to His people.  We, as God's people today, need to have a vision from God of what we are to do in the world.  We must not rely on our own strength or desire.  Verse eleven adds, Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.  The question is mostly rhetorical.  God answered that yes there was.  The people were full of self-pride and were worshipping false gods.  Verse twelve continues, And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.  God was reminding them that even though Jacob received the blessing that went with the birthright, he did so through deceit and had to flee with nothing.  He was a shepherd working for a wife instead of a leader of God's people.  When we attempt to go our own way instead of following God, we will be brought low spiritually.  Verse thirteen declares, And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.  Israel, was not restored until the prophet of God came to them in the land of Egypt.  God always calls us back to a right relationship with Him when we stray. Verse fourteen adds, Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.  Ephraim, and all the people of Israel, were turning away from God and to idols.  They brought punishment on themselves.