2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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WHAT IS THE BOOK OF HOSEA ABOUT?
SEP 4
Hosea 1-3
Memorise Hosea 3:1 "for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD"
WHAT IS THE BOOK OF HOSEA ABOUT?
Hosea is the first in the list of the Minor Prophets, and begins his prophecy with a rather interesting, though rather disturbing personal testimony. He was commanded by the Lord to marry a prostitute (whore), a woman who was known for her promiscuity. She was not a chaste virgin wife that one would expect a man of God to take for a wife, but was a loose woman, who would be prone to return to her old sins. True enough, after she conceived and bore three children (perhaps who were not even of Hosea’s seed), she deserted him and played the harlot, and went after other men. Instead of casting her aside in anger and disgust, Hosea lovingly provided for her through her unfaithful times, and even went to the streets to buy her back after she had probably sold herself back into prostitution. After this, he still lovingly implored her to remain with him and be faithful to him.
As we read of this heart wrenching story, it would also sicken us to think of the terrible way that Gomer treated her faithful and loving husband. But realize that all these happened for a specific reason – to show to unfaithful Israel how terrible their sin was. Gomer was representative of Israel, "for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord". In rebelling against God and worshipping other idols, they had become unfaithful to God and scorned the loving relationship He had established with them. Yet God was as the patient and loving Hosea, willing to forgive them, and even going all way out to woo them back to himself, if only they would be faithful once again and abide with the Lord.
Against this backdrop of Hosea’s tragic personal life, the rest of the prophecy is directed at idolatrous Israel. They were sternly rebuked for their many sins and commanded to repent and turn back to the Lord. God warns them that if they were to persist in their wicked ways, then judgment would come upon them. But that was not His desire, for he reminded them of the love that he had for them, and simply wanted their obedience. The promise for them was that if they would return and seek the Lord and fear Him, then the Lord would be merciful to them and restore them back to Himself. "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" (Hosea 14:9).
Thought: God’s love is wonderfully and graciously unconditional.
Prayer: Lord may You help me to appreciate the depths of God’s love.
Posted in Teens RPG
Hosea 1-3
Memorise Hosea 3:1 "for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD"
WHAT IS THE BOOK OF HOSEA ABOUT?
Hosea is the first in the list of the Minor Prophets, and begins his prophecy with a rather interesting, though rather disturbing personal testimony. He was commanded by the Lord to marry a prostitute (whore), a woman who was known for her promiscuity. She was not a chaste virgin wife that one would expect a man of God to take for a wife, but was a loose woman, who would be prone to return to her old sins. True enough, after she conceived and bore three children (perhaps who were not even of Hosea’s seed), she deserted him and played the harlot, and went after other men. Instead of casting her aside in anger and disgust, Hosea lovingly provided for her through her unfaithful times, and even went to the streets to buy her back after she had probably sold herself back into prostitution. After this, he still lovingly implored her to remain with him and be faithful to him.
As we read of this heart wrenching story, it would also sicken us to think of the terrible way that Gomer treated her faithful and loving husband. But realize that all these happened for a specific reason – to show to unfaithful Israel how terrible their sin was. Gomer was representative of Israel, "for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord". In rebelling against God and worshipping other idols, they had become unfaithful to God and scorned the loving relationship He had established with them. Yet God was as the patient and loving Hosea, willing to forgive them, and even going all way out to woo them back to himself, if only they would be faithful once again and abide with the Lord.
Against this backdrop of Hosea’s tragic personal life, the rest of the prophecy is directed at idolatrous Israel. They were sternly rebuked for their many sins and commanded to repent and turn back to the Lord. God warns them that if they were to persist in their wicked ways, then judgment would come upon them. But that was not His desire, for he reminded them of the love that he had for them, and simply wanted their obedience. The promise for them was that if they would return and seek the Lord and fear Him, then the Lord would be merciful to them and restore them back to Himself. "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" (Hosea 14:9).
Thought: God’s love is wonderfully and graciously unconditional.
Prayer: Lord may You help me to appreciate the depths of God’s love.
Posted in Teens RPG