HOSEA
(1)
GOD'S LOVE FOR ISRAEL
A historical setting is , clearly, given in the Book of Hosea
in the very first verse for the Ministry of Hosea. He names
the kings of Judah and it was written about 750 B.C. The main
emphasis being on "returning to God". Main words and
ideas in this study are sin, judgment and Love.
SOME INTERESTING FACTS TO HELP US FOLLOW THIS STUDY.........
HOSEA: His name means "Salvation" or "Deliverance"
GOMER: Her name means "to complete"
JEZREEL: Son of Gomer and Hosea . orignal meaning of his name
being "God scatters" or "God sows"
LO-RUHAMAH: daughter of Gomer and Hosea: original meaning of
her name being "NO MERCY"
LO-AMMI: another son of Hosea and Gomer: original meaning of
his name is "NOT MY PEOPLE".
Kings at this time of the Southern Kingdom of Judah were Uzziah,
Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah.
King of the Northern Kingdom of Israel : Jeroboam II who ruled
during the period of his prophecy.
During this time in the history of Israel, to the physical eye,
things looked great in Israel. It appeared that the Land was
rich with peace, plenty and prosperity. The people appeared
to enjoy these things at this time.
However, underneath it all was disaster lurking. The overall
truth of what was happening in this country at this time was
corrupt leaders, much immorality, poverty, class hatred, and
very unstable family lives.
Idolatry was a huge issue as well. Even the Priests were not
filling their obligations to lead the people into righteousness
with the Great I Am. In just a few years there would be political
collapse in this country.
Much like today, many have forgotten God. Not knowing HIM as
Creator of all things or inoring HIS very existence. Family
lives today are unstable, we have poverty, we have the rich
who do not share, we have racism, and many worship false idols,
and great sexual impurities. Widespread materialism is a huge
problem. Even if it be the TV or internet, or whatever takes
us away from the knowledge of God is idolatry. Sin is the only
name for it.
However, our God of Salvation and Deliverance and undying LOVE
for HIS people continues. He sends a man named Hosea to deliver
HIS Word to the Peoples. Hosea holds out hope in those dark
days to deliver the message through the Holy Spirit in obedience.
His own heart bleeds for the people of his time.
As Christians, we can truly relate, as we have watched a corrupt
generation. However, we are in a time, where the Lord is calling
forth HIS Church HIS Love endures forever and HE loves HIS Bride
and desires to come back to a Glorious Church. Ephesians 5:27
says " that HE might present her to HIMSELF a glorious
church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that
she should be HOLY and without blemish".
Hosea, we find in Chapter One of this precious Book, is instructed
by God to marry a harlot, a woman who was "unfaithful"
to him.
Chapter 1:2 "When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the
Lord said to Hosea: Go take yourself a wife of harlotry, for
the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the
Lord."
Once again, what was happening in the physical in this Old Testament
Book had a very explicit spiritual message. The people of the
land were committing adultery . They were worshipping false
idols in this chosen land and they had fallen far away from
their Creator. The pursuit of spiritual knowledge was lacking
. Sin made way to the hearts of the people.
God looked for one who would obey HIS Word and honor it by their
behavior and HE chose Hosea. Hosea's sensitivity and sadness
with the adulterous spirit of this time was obvious.
So Hosea obeyed and took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim. "A
wife of harlotry for the LAND HAS COMMITTED GREAT HARLOTRY.
Thus, being the main reason God calls upon HIS prophet, Hosea
for from the very beginning of this book there is spiritual
signifigance between Hosea's experience with his harlot wife
and that of the Lord's Bride Israel.
Chew on this manna and next month we will continue to study
Chapter One as the plot thickens and we see the progressive
movement of the Lord. We will see this, even through the names
of Hosea's three children born to him and Gomer.
We will continue to see the Loving Heart of God as God desire
to bless, not chastise HIS people. |
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