Hosea
source: NIV Life Application Study Bible
Hosea highlights the parallels between his relationship with
Gomer and God’s relationship with the nation of Israel.
Although the people made a covenant with the one true God, they went after
false gods. In the same way, Hosea married Gomer, knowing ahead of time that
she would leave him. Hosea tenderly dealt with this wife ins spite of her sin.
And God was merciful toward the people of Israel
despite their sins. God has not changed: he is still merciful and forgiving.
Purpose: To illustrate God’s love for his sinful
people
Setting: End of the prosperous but morally declining
reign of Jeroboam II of Israel. Upper classes did well, but were oppressive to
the poor.
Key Verse: “The Lord Said to me, ‘Go show your love
to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress.
Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and
love the sacred raisin cakes.” 3:1
Special Features: Hosea employs many images
form daily life: |
God is depicted as husband, lion, leopard, bear,
dew, rain, moth, and others
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Israel
is pictured as wife sick person, vine, grapes, early fruit, olive tree, woman
in childbirth, oven, morning mist chaff, and smoke etc.
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MEGATHEMES
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THEME
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EXPLANATION
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IMPORTANCE
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The Nation’s Sin
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Just as Hosea’s wife, Gomer, was unfaithful to him, so the
nation of Israel
had been unfaithful to God. Israel’s
idolatry was like adultery. They desired improper relationships with Assyria
and Egypt in
order to gain military power, and they mixed Baal worship with the worship of
God.
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Like Gomer, we can chase after other loves – love of
power, pleasure, money, or recognition. The temptations in this world can be
very seductive. Are we loyal to God, remaining completely faithful, or have
other loves taken his rightful place?
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God’s Judgment
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Judah
broke the covenant, turned away form God, and forgot her Maker, so she
experienced a devastating invasion and exile.
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The Lord is our only true refuge. If we harden our hearts
against him, there is no safety or security anywhere else. We cannot escape
God’s judgment.
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God’s Love
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Just as Hosea went after his unfaithful wife to bring her
back, so the Lord pursues us with his love. His love is tender, loyal,
unchanging, and undying. No matter what, God still loves us.
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Have you forgotten God and become disloyal to him? Don’t
let prosperity diminish your love for him or let success blind you to your
need for his love.
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Restoration
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Although God will disciplines his people for sin, he
encourages and restores those who have repented. True repentance opens the
way to a new beginning. God forgives and restores.
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Turn to the Lord while the offer is still good. No matter
how far you have strayed, God is willing to forgive you.
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