Monday, July 21, 2008

Hosea 6-14

Hosea 6
1-3 A Call to Repentance
  • Let us return to the LORD; he has torn, and he will heal.
  • "Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD." Hosea is including himself in this call to repentance. And isn't this a goal for us all -- to "press on to know the LORD."
4-11 Impenitence of Israel and Judah
  • God to his nations: What shall I do with you?
  • "Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early."
  • I have punished my people, "for I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." A common statement, a common theme in the OT.
  • Even the priests commit monstrous crimes.
  • For you, Judah, a harvest is appointed.
Hosea 7
  • Amid all their wickedness, they forget that God sees everything.
  • They are adulterous, drunkards, treacherous toward their rulers
  • Ephraim (Israel?) is weakened by mixing with other people, ignorant, too proud to seek God
11-16 Futile Reliance on the Nations
  • Ephraim is like a dove - silly and without sense, and I will capture them like birds, discipline them, destroy them, for they speak lies against me.
  • They use the strength I gave them to follow useless pursuits
Hosea 8
1-14 Israel's Apostasy
  • Israel cries - My God, we know you - but they spurn the good.
  • They make unworthy kings and idols for their own destruction
  • "For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind."
  • They are swallowed up by foreign nations.
  • In Ephraim, God's instructions are strange things; their sacrifices are not acceptable.
  • Israel has forgotten his Maker
  • Judah has multiplied fortified cities, and I will send a fire upon them
Hosea 9
1-17 Punishment for Israel's Sin
  • Do not rejoice, Israel, for you have played the harlot. Ephraim shall return to Egypt; in Assyria you shall eat unclean food.
  • Sacrifices will defile, not please God. Bread will be for hunger only.
  • The days of punishment have come.
  • I found Israel like first fruits, but they consecrated themselves to a thing of shame.
  • It would be better for Ephraim to be barren, for now he must lead out his children for slaughter.
  • Their evil began at Gilgal; I will love them no more.
Hosea 10
1-15 Israel's Sin and Captivity
  • Once, Israel prospered, but no more.
  • They disrespected the king; they did not fear the LORD; they made empty oaths
  • They mourn over the loss of a golden calf
  • They shall perish, "say to the mountains, Cover us, and to the hills, Fall on us."
  • Once I spared the neck of Ephraim, a fair heifer, but no more.
  • Judah must plow: "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you."
  • You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice.
Hosea 11
1 - 12:1 God's Compassion Despite Israel's Ingratitude
  • When Israel was a child, I loved him, but he left me.
  • I raised Ephraim, taught him to walk, but they are determined to turn away from me.
  • I don't want to hand over Israel, I will not destroy Ephraim
  • They will return to me, and I will give them back their home.
  • Yet - Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and Israel with deceit, but Judah is faithful to the Holy One.
12:2-14 The Long History of Rebellion
  • The LORD's indictment against Judah: In the womb he tried to supplant his brother; he strove with God; he met him at Bethel and spoke with him.
  • "Return to your God, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God."
  • Ephraim became arrogant in his wealth and would admit no sin.
  • But God will make him live in tents again, will pay him back for his insults.
Hosea 13
1-16 Relentless Judgment on Israel
  • Ephraim was exalted in Israel, but he incurred guilt through Baal and died, but they still keep on sinning, bowing to the work of artisans
  • They kiss calves! Therefore they will be like chaff.
  • It was I, God, who fed you, yet you became satisfied and forgot me. Therefore, I will fall upon you like a bear robbed of her cubs.
  • Where is the king that can save you from me?
  • "O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your destruction?"
  • Samaria shall bear her guilt..."their little ones shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open." (This was done by one of their own - Menaham, in 2 Kings 15:16)
Hosea 14
1-3 Plea for Repentance
  • Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. This time Hosea does not say "Let us..."
  • Ask God to take away your guilt.
  • Tell him you know your salvation is not from Assyria.
4-9 Assurance of Forgiveness
  • He will heal your disloyalty, love you freely.
  • You shall live under his shadow, blossom like the vine.
  • Conclusion: The ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

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