Extreme Measures to Meet Extreme Rebellion

Hosea 1:2-9

Introduction:

Jeroboam had then been able to bring the country to the strong position noted. Because of this recovery, Hosea's generation knew of humiliating defeat and foreign oppression only through the memories of their fathers. By this time there had been peace for many years, and with it had come economic prosperity. The land was again producing abundantly (2Ch 26:10), and many people were becoming wealthy. Luxuries had become common. Building activity was flourishing (Hos 8:14), which led to a widespread feeling of pride (Am 3:15; 5:11; cf. Isa 9:10). Social and moral conditions developed that were wrong and degrading. Side by side with wealth, extreme poverty existed. Through dishonest gain and false balances, the strong took advantage of the weak (Hos 12:7; cf. Isa 5:8; Am 8:5-6). Justice seemed absent, and the courts apparently did little to help.

Religious conditions were no better. Though the pagan cult of Baal, brought into the land during the dynasty of Omri (1Ki 16:29-33), had been largely brought to an end (2Ki 10:19-28), many of its offensive features continued (Hos 2:8; 11:2; 13:1). Apparently sacred prostitution was still practiced (4:10-18). Also, the people still built "high places" and set up images and Asherah poles "on every high hill and under every spreading tree" (2Ki 17:7-12).

I. The Sins of Israel

1. 2:8 She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold-- which they used for Baal.

2. 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”

a. see 4:1-4 for the details of their sins

b. no faithfulness, kindness or knowledge

c. swearing, deception, murder, stealing, and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.

d. Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof;

e. For your people are like those who contend with the priest. Deut. 17:8-13

3. 4:11,12 Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding

4. 6:4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning cloud, And like the dew which goes away early. 6:6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

5. 7:2 And they do not consider in their hearts That I remember all their wickedness. Now their deeds are all around them; They are before My face.

II. Hosea’s Extreme Measure

1. Go and marry a harlot, have children of harlotry

The catalyst of Hosea's prophetic message is his marriage to a woman named Gomer. There are two major views of this relationship. One view holds that Gomer was pure when she married Hosea but later proved unfaithful. The shock effect of Hosea's marital difficulties would have had telling impact on the people of his community. The children born of this marriage were given symbolic names indicating divine displeasure with Israel. After Gomer had pursued her paramours, she was to be brought back and with patient love readmitted to Hosea's home, there to await in penitence and grief the time of restoration to full favor. This was a clear picture of wayward Israel in its relationship with God and showed the unending faithfulness of the Almighty.

2. The names of the children:

a. Jezreel (1:4-5)

b. Lo-ruhamah (1:6)

c. Lo-ammi (1:9)

3. God has no desire to give up Israel (Ephraim) Hos. 11:8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within Me, All My compassions are kindled. ^11:9 I will not execute My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, And I will not come in wrath.

4. Hosea is to take Gomer back in spite of her faithlessness (chapter 2)

5. Hosea is to buy Gomer back (3:1-5) as a prophecy of his love

6. We need to believe in the faithfulness of our God (2 Tim. 2:11-13)

Conclusion:

Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.

1. Hosea 14:9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, And the righteous will walk in them, But transgressors will stumble in them.

2. 1 Pet. 2:9-10

we have received compassion and acceptance

we are the people of God