Hosea - God's Redeeming Love (8:1-10:15) Part 3 Of 4 Series

"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS"

Hosea - God’s Redeeming Love (8:1-10:15)

INTRODUCTION

1. Thus far in our survey of the book of Hosea, we have seen...

a. The analogy of Hosea and Gomer, illustrating God’s experience

with Israel

1) Israel’s rejection symbolized, in the names of Hosea and

Gomer’s children - Hos 1:2-9

2) Israel’s restoration foretold - Hos 1:10-2:1

3) Israel’s unfaithfulness described, depicted as a wife guilty

of harlotry - Hos 2:2-13

4) Israel’s restoration described, finally cured of her idolatry

- Hos 2:14-23

5) Israel’s restoration symbolized, depicted as a harlot taken

back to be a wife - Hos 3:1-5

b. God’s indictment of Israel

1) The charges brought against Israel - Hos 4:1-5:15

2) Israel’s appeal rejected - Hos 6:1-7:16

-- The theme proposed for this book has been "God’s Redeeming Love"

2. The love God has for Israel does not preclude the need for

punishment if she is to be truly redeemed...

a. As mentioned in Hos 2:13

b. This punishment will be seen in the form of the Assyrian

invasion, as foretold in the section now before us

[In this lesson, we shall continue our survey of Hosea by noticing

God’s warning of punishment that is to befall Israel, chapters 8-10...]

I. GOD’S PUNISHMENT FOR ISRAEL (8:1-10:15)

A. WARNING OF APPROACHING JUDGMENT (8:1-14)

1. Judgment is coming because they transgressed the covenant

- Hos 8:1-6

2. They have sown the wind, through their alliances with Assyria,

and shall reap the whirlwind - Hos 8:7-10

3. The altars of their religion has made them sin, their

punishment will be a "return to Egypt" (Egypt as a symbol of

captivity) - Hos 8:11-13

4. Israel has forgotten his Maker, and even Judah places more

trust in fortified cities; but judgment will come upon them

both - Hos 8:14

B. ASSYRIAN CAPTIVITY FORETOLD (9:1-17)

1. Because Israel has played the harlot - Hos 9:1-2

2. Ephraim (Israel) shall "return to Egypt" - Hos 9:3-9

a. Egypt used as a type for captivity, but then Assyria is

mentioned by name

b. They will be unable to celebrate the feasts

c. They will be punished for their sins

3. The fleeting glory of Israel - Hos 9:10-17

a. Though considered the firstfruits, they soon gave

themselves over to idolatry

b. Thus their glory will fly away, and they will be like one

childless

c. For their wickedness, God will cast them away

C. ISRAEL’S SIN AND CAPTIVITY REITERATED (10:1-15)

1. Her guilt and coming captivity - Hos 10:1-8

2. Her sin and coming punishment - Hos 10:9-15

[With such ample warnings through prophets like Hosea, God let Israel

know what was to befall her. Yet the prophet’s message did not end

there. A message of hope concerning restoration was also proclaimed,

which we will shall consider in our next lesson. For a few remaining

moments, let’s review...]

II. SOME KEY PASSAGES IN THIS SECTION

A. "I HAVE WRITTEN FOR HIM THE GREAT THINGS OF MY LAW, BUT THEY WERE

CONSIDERED A STRANGE THING"

1. Notice Hos 8:12

2. This is a sad commentary on the condition of Israel

a. God had done a wondrous thing by giving them His Word - cf.

Ps 19:7-11

b. Yet they had become so perverted that God’s word seemed

strange to them!

3. Is this not true today as well?

a. We have been richly blessed with the full revelation of

God’s will through His Son Jesus Christ

b. Yet many people (even some in the church)...

1) ...are so unaware of what the Bible says

2) ...are so caught up in the thinking of the world

...that the principles and truths of God’s word are

"considered a strange thing"!

-- Is God’s word considered a strange thing to you?

B. "SOW FOR YOURSELVES RIGHTEOUSNESS, REAP IN MERCY"

1. Consider Hos 10:12

2. While we cannot earn our salvation by good works, works of

righteousness can result in experiencing God’s grace and mercy

a. A case in point is the conversion of Cornelius - Ac 10:1-6

b. His fear of God, prayers, and alms did not save him, but

God did take notice

c. By striving to serve and please God, he came to know the

way of mercy and salvation

-- Thus we should be diligent in our service, not to earn

salvation, but to receive God’s gracious mercy - e.g.,

Onesiphorus - 2Ti 1:16-18

C. "YOU HAVE PLOWED WICKEDNESS, YOU HAVE REAPED INIQUITY"

1. Read Hos 10:13

2. Iniquity (injustice, NASB) is the natural consequence of

wickedness

a. When people turn their ears away from hearing the Word of

God, they will be wicked

b. And the consequence is great injustice and lawlessness

-- Sadly, I believe we can see why our society is reaping so much

injustice and lawlessness today (because of the wickedness