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Hosea & Christ (A Lesson in Unfaithfulness & Forgiveness) I) From Faithfulness to Unfaithfulness A) Story of a marriage 1. A couple falls in love and gets married 2. Marriage is a covenant relationship created by God, Genesis 2.24 a. Intended to last a lifetime b. Promises are made, 1 Corinthians 7.2 c. Promises to cherish one another, to love, be faithful, forsake all others d. Various conditions are given – to love each other for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to honor and obey. e. Both parties say yes, they are joined together in the bond of marriage, Matthew 19.6 3. They live together and have a family a. He is a Bible class teacher, song leader, deacon in the church b. She is likewise a Bible class teacher, an example of modesty B) To unfaithfulness 1. Something starts to happen over a period of time a. One of them starts to notice somebody else [co-worker, neighbor, friend, etc] b. Starts thinking about the other person, flirting, talking to them c. Start isolating themselves from other people [eat lunch together] 2. Eventually there is a line to be crossed, to become unfaithful a. At first they fell guilt and shame, realization they had violated their covenant 3. The "affair" continues for a while and all seems to be ok. a. A child is born b. Then it comes to light of day 4. The how or why does not really matter to the ones that are hurt a. Hearts are broken, tears shed, anger, resentment, disgust, depression, all rolled up into one. 5. The innocent spouse can not stand to look at their unfaithful mater and decides to divorce the, Matthew 19.9 II) Israel During Hosea A) Hosea 1. Chapter 1 gives us the kings of Judah and Israel; Jeroboam II was one of those kings, 2 Kings 14.24 2. Hosea is told to go and marry a woman, an adulterous woman B) Their offspring 1. They have 3 children, Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi 2. Each comes with a proclamation of God a. Jezreel – vv. 4-5 an end to the Kingdom of Israel b. Lo-Ruhamah – vv. 6-7 no more mercy for Israel, Judah would receive God’s mercy c. Lo-Ammi – v. 9 God disowns His people; in essence He divorces or puts them away from Him C) Chapter 2 1. At least 2 of the 3 children were not Hosea’s 2. God see’s all the spiritual idolatry and adultery of Israel; He will not put up with it D) Chapter 3 1. Hosea is told to go and buy back Gomer 2. He does so, think of what God is requiring of Hosea 3. There would be a time of testing, v. 3 E) Chapter 4 contains a "laundry list" of sins 1. No truth or mercy (v. 1), swearing, lying, killing, stealing, committing adultery, (v. 2) 2. Resulting in God’s rejection of them, v. 6 F) Chapters 5 & 6 contains more of God’s judgment 1. Chapter 5 includes just about every one; priest, kings, and Judah 2. Chapter 6 warns about false repentance seen by God a. A repentance without the heart (sorrow of the world produces death, 2 Cor. 7.10b; godly sorrow produces life itself) b. Their faithfulness is like a "morning cloud" or "the morning dew" v. 4 G) Chapter 8 1. Verse 7 they sow to the wind and reap the whirlwind 2. Actions bring about consequences 3. We see God’s wrath being poured out on Israel H) Chapter 11 shows us God’s love for His People and His Broken Heart 1. God created Israel, they were His people, His children, vv. 1-2 2. God taught Ephraim to walk, vv. 3-4 I) Chapter 14 a call to repentance 1. God will bless them and bring them back to Him, vv. 4-5 2. Do we understand how God felt? 3. How does this relate to Christ and us? III) The Faithful & Unfaithful Spouse A) The faithful becomes unfaithful to God 1. Feels bitter and resentful about what has happened to them 2. Instead of turning to God they turn away from Him; stop worshipping, singing, remembering the Lord’s death, etc a. After a time go back into the world b. Refuses to talk to their brothers and sisters in Christ B) The Unfaithful becomes faithful to God 1. Feels shame, conviction, and repents of their sins 2. Realizes the consequences of their actions 3. Which one is better off? IV) Christ In Hosea A) The promise to bring the Gentiles into Christ, Hosea 2.23 B) The price of redemption, Hosea 3.2 1. In many ways the Gentiles were like the immoral person that contributed to the woman committing adultery. Notice we have said nothing about that person. 2. The Jews were the unfaithful spouse in a covenant relationship with God Conclusion: We need to learn more about forgiveness and mercy in our relationships. We also need to understand the greatness of God’s forgiveness and mercy. 09.23.07 D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ |