1. The adulterer seeks satisfaction in unlawful relationships; the harlot debases high possessions for material gain. How does Hosea show that this is what Israel has done in relation to the Lord himself?
2. What promise is given in verses 14-23 of the final triumph of God's love? How is it to be achieved? Does this chapter in any way illustrate the conduct and the one sure hope of God's people today?
Notes
1) Verse 5 'My lovers' is a reference to the local gods of the land (or 'the Baals', verse 13) whom the Israelites in their backsliding conceived to be the givers of nourishment ('bread and water'), clothing ('wool and flax') and joy ('oil and drink'), and to whom accordingly they offered worship (verse 13).
2) Verses 14, 15 The Israelites, after leaving Egypt, wandered in the wilderness, and entered the promised land by the valley of Anchor. Now they shall again be brought into the wilderness (ie, the exile), but after this time of affliction, they shall return to Canaan, and will find the valley of Achor, not, as at the first, a place of trouble (Joshua 7:24), but a door of hope. Cross reference Isaiah 65:10
3) Verses 18-23 A beautiful picture of peace (verse 18), communion with the Lord (verses 19, 20), and abounding blessing (verses 21-23). Jezreel, which means 'God sows', is used in verse 22 as a name for Israel.
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I started this one out with a question... In 2:21 what does it mean "I will hear the heavens and they will hear the earth" or (depending on your translation) something similar...?
ReplyDelete1. Reading this question I couldn't help but think of America and how our God is a God of justice and He will not handle us lightly when we act in disobedience toward him. Not only disobedience, but published denial of the things of God. Sometimes I find it easier to understand things in Scripture if I can step back and see the big picture first. It appears to me that there is a progression to this downfall by Gomer/Israel/America:
Sin Committed 1:3-9
Warning to Stop 2:1-4
Rebellion 2:5
Consequences 2:6-13
Redemption 2:14-17
Restoration 2:18-23
I thought for awhile about what it would mean to not complete that staircase... What if we sat in our rebellion? You can't! Consequences will start at some point! God drives us toward brokenness when we sin against Him! It would be hard for us to stay in one of these categories... granted, we might for a LONG time but then things would only get worse for us. It's beautiful that the final stair is restoration... We can dwell there forever!
2. I guess I'm not very good at just answering a question... ;-) I read this and rabbit trailed into the beautiful imagery of a relationship. In a way though I guess it culminates into our becoming "joint heirs with Christ" (reference anyone???).
Covenant v. 18
Betrothal v. 19
Marriage v. 20
Sowing (two becoming one, fruitfulness) v. 23
BTW, can you tell I'm a list person?
Romans 8:17
ReplyDelete"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." KJV ;)
This Chapter was packed full of good stuff!
Sarah, I love your list about with the breakdown of the sections of verses!
1.)In verse 5 it says, "I'll run after other lovers and sell myself to them for food and water, for clothing of wool and linen, and for olive oil and drinks."
This made me think of how often I have been disappointed at God and have at times "run after other things" granted I've never done anything horrible, but my heart's attitude was. What had caused Gomer/ Israel to become so discontent that they would run after other things to fill this needs? Probably why we do it ourselves, we think God or Hosea (our husband) has wronged us in some way, or that there is something better out there and if only we would be freed to pursue it. But as we know, it's our enemy, Satan who is our master deceiver
I LOVE the section of scriptures found in verses 6-8! It's a glimpse of God's love for us. In verse 6 is describes God putting up a "hedge of thorns to gate her in" God loves us so much that he will purposely make us uncomfortable and trapped that we have no where to go and until we come to the realization that "things were better with her husband" (vs. 7)
Verse 8 caused me to fight a few tears as we hear God tender heart, "For she does not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the new wine and the oil. And lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal." How often do I fail to realize God's blessings in my life! Of course there are obvious ones, the good ones, but what about the "doesn't look good in our eyes" kind of blessings that God also gives us?
I need to be more active in my prayer life just spending time praising God instead of my self-centered view of my needs, and my wants, treating God like a Genie in a bottle.
2.) There were different points through verses 14-23 that stood out to me.
Vs. 14. It talks about how God will "speak tenderly to her" and that she will call Him "Husband" instead of "Master" It think this again is another key into God's heart. He wants her to recognize Him as a "Husband" as a lover sharing an intimate relationship instead of "Master" someone that has ownership and who she would be forced to serve and obey. That is one thing that is a fundamental truth, God wants us to chose to obey Him out of love and He desires a close personal relationship. I know for myself that I often have a "Master" view of God. That is, if don't obey, God will condemn me. Although, God will punish disobedience, He would much rather have my heart's attitude be one of service out of love.
I think the final triumph of God's love is to have His people FINALLY recognize Him as Lord.(Vs. 23)God binding His people to Himself in the illustration of a wedding. His people will be unable to be unfaithful and those that God once called "not my people" He will now call His people and they will call Him Lord. A beautiful picture of restoration that would not be possible with out a God who is full of righteousness, justice, love, compassion and mercy!