Interactive Teaching/Learning Guide s1

INTERACTIVE TEACHING/LEARNING GUIDE Prophetic Words of Yesterday for Today - Week 3 Session Title: Loving God Context Passage: (Hosea 6:4-11:11) Focal Passages: (Hosea 6:4, 6; 7:16; 8; 7; 9:9-11; 10:12; 11:3- 4, 9)

Central Teaching/Learning Aim: The learner will discover the struggles of the Israelites and be challenged to not follow their pattern but live a life of faithfulness and love for God.

I. Hook

A. Write on the marker board the following question. “What are ways to express your love to those you love?” Have members mingle and share ideas.

Next – Bring some sappy Valentine’s cards or love notes to display and read.

Ask – Does it really work to just express our love once a year with a sappy card? How can we express our love for God 24/7, 365 days a year?

Read – (Hosea 6:6). Ask members for ways that Hosea mentions to express love for God. (Faithfulness, Consistent service, acknowledging God, living morally)

State – Today we are going to discuss how to express our love for God on a consistent basis as we live according to His will.

B. Optional Method – Web Clip from BluefishTV.com. This clip can be downloaded from the site.

Location: http://www.bluefishtv.com/Store/Downloadable_Video_Illustrations/1243/Serving_the_Mentally_ Disabled Length: 1:54

Synopsis: Newlyweds David and Cynthia have opened their home to three mentally challenged men. They face all of the responsibilities of parenthood, teaching these men basic life skills while bringing them the hope of the Gospel.

Before you show the clip read (Hosea 6:6) and ask members to identify the desire of God.

©CS 1 Ask – How are David and Cynthia expressing their love for God through their lives?

Next – Display this quote for U2 front man Bono and ask for reactions.

In an interview with a long-time friend, international pop superstar Bono, of the hit band U2, responded to the sometimes-stained reputation of the church throughout history:

Religion can be the enemy of God. It's often what happens when God, like Elvis, has left the building. A list of instructions where there was once conviction; dogma where once people just did it; a congregation led by a man where once they were led by the Holy Spirit. Discipline replacing discipleship.

Michka Assayas, Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas (Riverhead Books, 2005)

State – Today we are going to discuss how to express our love for God on a consistent basis as we live according to His will.

C. Optional Method – Share the following story:

Gregory Boyle retells the story of a 15-year-old gang member named Rigo. Rigo was getting ready for a special worship service for incarcerated youth when Boyle casually asked if Rigo's father would be coming. The following is a summary of their conversation:

"No," he said, "He's a heroin addict and never been in my life. Used to always beat me."

Then something snapped inside Rigo as he recalled an image from his childhood.

"I think I was in fourth grade," he began, "I came home. Sent home in the middle of the day … . [When I got home] my dad says, 'Why did they send you home?' And cuz my dad always beat me, I said, 'If I tell you, promise you won't hit me?' He just said, 'I'm your father. Course I'm not gonna hit you.' So I told him."

Rigo began to cry, and in a moment he started wailing and rocking back and forth. Boyle put his arm around him until he slowly calmed down. When Rigo could finally speak again, he spoke quietly, still in a state of shock: "He beat me with a pipe … with … a pipe."

After Rigo composed himself, Boyle asked about his mom. Rigo pointed to a small woman and said, "That's her over there … . There's no one like her." Then Rigo paused and said, "I've been locked up for a year and half. She comes to ©CS 2 see me every Sunday. You know how many buses she takes every Sunday [to see me]?"

Rigo started sobbing with the same ferocity as before. After catching his breath, he gasped through the sobs, "Seven buses. She takes … seven … buses. Imagine."

Boyle concluded this story with an analogy. God, as revealed in the person of Jesus, loves us like Rigo's mother loved her son—with commitment, steadfastness, and sacrifice. According to Boyle, we have a God "who takes seven buses, just to arrive at us."

Gregory Boyle, Tattoos on the Heart (Free Press, 2010), pp. 26-27

Ask – How did Rigo’s mom demonstrate love towards her son? How does God desire us to demonstrate our love toward Him? See (Hosea 6:6). What are practical ways we can show love to the Father?

State – Today we are going to discuss how to express our love for God on a consistent basis as we live according to His will.

II. Book

A. Utilize the discussion guide to examine the Scripture passages. III. Look

A. Place members into groups and have them complete the group assignments.

IV. Took

A. Share some of the selected stories below and challenge members to live lives of love for God through their faithfulness and lifestyles this week.

Former Alcoholic Donates His First Paycheck to God

Craig C. had been an alcoholic for more than a dozen years. He'd lost everything he had, including his wife and son, due to his selfishness and addiction. Things began to change after he gave his life to Christ, but he still fell regularly into his old habits. It didn't help that he'd lost his well-paying job and was clerking at a local grocery store that was well stocked with all his favorite drinks. After a few years of going back and forth between Christ and the bottle, he finally cut the ties, and, out of obedience to Christ, quit his job.

With no income and hope only in Christ, he was in desperate condition. After an interview with a sheet metal company down the street from his new church, he ©CS 3 cried out to God. "God, if you give me this job I will give you my first paycheck." Surprisingly, he got the job.

He clearly remembers the day when he got his first paycheck. Stacks of bills needed to be paid. Penniless but determined, he endorsed it over to the church and walked it to the church office without waiting for the Sunday offering. That was the moment, he says, that changed his life because now he understood what it meant to trust God.

As of today, Craig has been sober for 25 years, he's a manager at that sheet metal company, and he serves as an elder at his local church.

Bill White, pastor of outreach at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Paramount, California

A Christian Neighbor's Bad Testimony

Not long after we moved [into our first house in California], my wife, Janie, and I picked up on the tension between a couple of neighbors. One was a very outspoken churchgoer, while the other was an unbeliever. I knew I was in the hot seat when the unchurched man struck up a conversation with me as we were both working in our yards.

"Say, Steve, aren't you a pastor?" It seems implicit in the public's understanding that pastors exist to serve as referees in times of conflict, so I reluctantly listened as this troubled man opened up about the neighbor he'd never understood. He unfolded a long history of numerous conflicts over small issues. …

Then he looked up and sighed, "But the most recent problem takes the cake. We received a letter from his attorney threatening to sue us if we don't trim a tree that borders his yard. It seems strange he didn't just come over and ask me to take care of the tree before he went to his attorney." …

With a little wink this streetwise unchurched man continued, "You know, I was getting ready to trim that tree, but now there's no way I'm going to do anything until he forces me. I will gladly go to court just so I can have a story to tell about being sued by Christians over an orange tree." He summarized his thoughts with a haunting observation: "I guess sometimes Christians love us—they just don't like us."

Steve Sjogren, Changing the World Through Kindness (Regal, 2005), pp. 103- 104

Nancy Ortberg Moved by Amputee's Gratitude

I worked as a registered nurse for about ten years before my life took a different direction. One of my earliest patients was a young girl of about 14 who had been in a dirt bike accident. I met this young girl down in the physical therapy ©CS 4 department. She was in a whirlpool bath. I had read her chart before I went down to work with her and had learned that as a result of the accident, her leg had been amputated below the knee.

I couldn't imagine what it must be like to be a 14-year-old girl with part of your leg missing. I introduced myself, and we made some small talk. Through the course of our time together, I learned that she was a follower of Christ, although she really didn't say much about that.

I was not prepared for her spirit, however, especially when she lifted her freshly amputated leg up above the bubbling water for me to see and said, "Look at how much I have left!"

She excitedly told me that since the doctors were able to amputate below the knee, it was much easier to fit a prosthesis. She wondered how long it would take to heal so that she could get started with that. I heard most of what she was saying, but I wasn't really paying much attention. My mind was fixed back on the "look how much I have left!" Her gratitude seemed really genuine. It wasn't denial or a Pollyanna mentality. She knew she was missing a good part of her leg, and she wouldn't have chosen that. But she was so very thankful for this bit of good news. Her spirit made my spirit soar that day. And I had two good legs.

Hebrews 12:28 says, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God." Our gratitude, our thankfulness, is a way in which we worship God. We can sing, and that is worship. We can say thank you, and that is worship. And that day in the hospital, the gratitude of a 14-year-old girl moved me.

Nancy Ortberg, Looking for God (Tyndale, 2008), pp. 14-15

B. Optional Method – Web Clip from bluefishtv.com. This clip can be purchased and downloaded for $3.99.

Location: http://www.bluefishtv.com/Store/Downloadable_Video_Illustrations/1224/Family_Mission_to_Croa tia/f=s1&scid=1005&cc=&csc=&ldr=&s=obedience Length: 2:49

Synopsis: Living a life filled with success and comfort, Blake and Laura were challenged by their local church to plant a church in Croatia. Following God’s call, this couple has literally moved away from the life they have always known and are walking the same life of faith and obedience in another country.

Ask – How are Blake and Laura demonstrating faithfulness and love for God? What is God calling you to do? How can you demonstrate your faithfulness and love for God?

©CS 5 DISCUSSION GUIDE (Teacher’s Copy) 1. What did Hosea mean when he compared Israel’s love for God to morning fog and dew? (Hosea 6:4) [Fog and dew look like sparkly diamonds as the sun rises but soon the sun burns them away. The same could be said for their love for God.]

2. How does God want us to demonstrate our love toward Him? (6:6) [Faithfulness (commitment) and acknowledging Him through our lifestyle.]

3. What do the following verses teach about faithful obedience over ritualistic sacrifice? a. (1 Samuel 15:22-23) Obedience trumps meaningless sacrifices b. (Amos 5:21-23) God desires committed lives not religious rituals c. (Micah 6:6-8) Nothing we can offer the Lord is as meaningful as our committed, faithful lives. d. (Matthew 9:13) God desires our consistent mercy-giving lives

4. Are your actions a form of “going through the motions” at church or an expression of true commitment?

5. (Hosea 7:16) states that the Israelites were like an unreliable bow, worshipping false gods. Are you guilty of this? How?

6. What are examples of Israel’s self-reliance? (Hosea 8:1-14) a. (8:1-3) They rebelled and lived immorally b. (8:4) They appointed rulers without God’s permission and will c. (8:5-6) They made false idols d. (8:7) Sin can start small but turn into a catastrophe e. (8:9) They have aligned themselves with ungodly people f. (8:11-14) They go through the motions of worship but it is meaningless because of their sin

7. How are the above transgressions similar to the Christian church today?

8. What is the result of Israel’s idolatry? (v. 9:11) [They would not be fruitful.]

9. What type of fruit are you producing?

10. What charge does Hosea give to the Israelites in (v. 10:12)? [They need to repent, seek the Lord and live for Him in order to bear fruit.]

©CS 6 11. Hosea sounded the alarm. What might sound the alarm in your life? Your church? Your nation?

12. What great hope is found in (Hosea 11:8-9)? [God can get angry but He will not destroy us.]

13. How can you express your love for God in the coming week?

©CS 7 DISCUSSION GUIDE (Student Copy)

1. What did Hosea mean when he compared Israel’s love for God to morning fog and dew? (Hosea 6:4)

2. How does God want us to demonstrate our love toward Him? (6:6)

3. What do the following verses teach about faithful obedience over ritualistic sacrifice? a. (1 Samuel 15:22-23) b. (Amos 5:21-23) c. (Micah 6:6-8) d. (Matthew 9:13)

4. Are your actions a form of “going through the motions” at church or an expression of true commitment?

5. (Hosea 7:16) states that the Israelites were like an unreliable bow, worshipping false gods. Are you guilty of this? How?

6. What are examples of Israel’s self-reliance? (Hosea 8:1-14) a. (8:1-3) b. (8:4) c. (8:5-6) d. (8:7) e. (8:9) f. (8:11-14)

7. How are the above transgressions similar to the Christian church today?

8. What is the result of Israel’s idolatry? (v. 9:11)

9. What type of fruit are you producing?

10. What charge does Hosea give to the Israelites in (v. 10:12)?

11. Hosea sounded the alarm. What might sound the alarm in your life? Your church? Your nation?

12. What great hope is found in (Hosea 11:8-9)?

13. How can you express your love for God in the coming week?

The Pain of Love

A lady visiting the Holy Land came upon a sheepfold located high on a hilltop. Her attention was drawn to one poor sheep lying by the side of the road bleating in pain. Looking more closely she discovered that its leg was injured. She asked the shepherd how it happened. “I had to break it myself,” he answered sadly. “It was the only way I could keep that wayward creature from straying into unsafe places. From past experience I have found that a sheep will follow me once I have nursed it back to health. Because of the loving relationship that will be established as I care for her, in the future she will come instantly at my call.”

The woman replied thoughtfully, “Sometimes we poor human sheep also want our stubborn ways and as a result stray into dangerous paths until the Good Shepherd sends sorrow and pain to arrest us. Coming then into a sweeter and closer communion with our Savior, we at last are conditioned to hear His voice and follow His leading.”

Share examples of times when you have strayed and how you were brought back to the fold.

How can you keep remembering the patient love of God?

======

Group 2 Read the following illustration and discuss the questions that follow.

My dad loved me. I’ve known that from my earliest moment of awareness. I’m told that when I was a small child, perhaps three years of age, we lived in a one-bedroom apartment. My little bed was located beside the bed of my parents. Dad said it was not uncommon during that time for him to awaken at night and hear a little voice whispering “Daddy? Daddy?” He would answer quietly, “What, Jimmy?” Then I would reply. “Hold my hand!” My dad would reach across the darkness and grope for my little hand, finally engulfing it in his. He said the instant he encompassed my hand, my arm would become limp and my breathing deep and regular. I had gone back to sleep. You see, I only wanted to know that he was there!

 Straight Talk to Men and Their Wives, Dr. James Dobson

Share examples of times when you experienced a dark period in your life. How did God reach out and reassure you of His presence?

How can we grow through these experiences and remember God’s love each day? ©CS 9 Group 3 Read the following love note and complete the assignment that follows.

I Love You

I love you, not only for what you are – but for what I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself – but for what you are making of me. I love you, for the part of me that you bring out. I love you, for putting your hand into my heaped-up heart and passing over all the foolish, weak things that you can’t help dimly seeing there, and for drawing out into the light all the beautiful belongings that no one else had looked quire far enough to find. I love you, because you are helping me to make of the lumber of my life, not a tavern, but a temple; out of works of my every day – not a reproach, but a song.

--Roy Croft

Create a Valentine note or love note to God. Include the characteristics of Him that you admire the most. Use this as an opportunity to praise Him.

Group 4 Read the following illustration and discuss the questions that follow.

No one ever said it better that C.S. Lewis: To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket – safe, dark, impenetrable, irredeemable… The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers of love …is Hell.

Why couldn’t God program us to love Him always?

Why does God continue to endure our disloyalty?

How can we stay more focused on His incredible love?

What can we do on a daily/weekly basis?

©CS 10 God’s Loyal Love for Unfaithful Israel Results in Israel’s Future Restoration after Necessary Judgment (Teachers Copy)

Hosea’s Homelife is Israel’s History The Charges Against Israel (4:13) Sins/Sentense & Salvation

Related Reunited Rebuked Returned Rejecting a Returning Languishing The loyal love Failure to Following knowledge to a love for God of God evokes follow God God leads to The three The The The of God knowledge eliminates compassionate leads to self- spiritual children of numberless, unfaithful faithful results in of God covenant benevolence deception delight an loved wife who husband restoration results in blessing adulterous children of became a who restoration wife the living god wilderness betroths again

1:2-1:9 1:10-2:1 2:2-2:13 2:14-3:5 4:4-5:15a 5:15b-6:3 6:4-11:7 11:8-11:11 11:12-13:16 14:1-9 We never KNEW Him We never LOVED Him We never FOLLOWED Him Marriage to Gomer a Private Parable Message to Israel a Public Prophecy

Hosea: Prophet of Love and of Hope

©CS 11 God’s Loyal Love for Unfaithful Israel Results in Israel’s Future Restoration after Necessary Judgment (Student Copy)

Hosea’s Homelife is Israel’s History The Charges Against Israel (4:13) Sins/Sentense & Salvation

Related Reunited Rebuked Returned Rejecting a Returning to Languishin The loyal love knowledge a g love for of God evokes The three The The The of God knowledge God compassionate children of numberless, unfaithful faithful results in of God eliminates benevolence an loved wife who husband restoration results in covenant adulterous children of became a who restoration blessing wife the living god wilderness betroths again

Hosea: Prophet of Love and of Hope

Following THEE Leader ~ Hosea 6:4-11;12-14:9

Monday – Read Hosea 11:12-12:6 In these verses we find a brief synopsis of Israel’s history as seen through one of her patriarchs. Like Jacob, Israel has been struggling for blessing throughout their history.  What does the prophet say Israel must do to live under the blessings of God [v.6a]?  What will it look like for Israel to return to the Lord God Almighty [v.6b]?  Are you seeking to live under the blessing of God by maintaining love & justice [v.6]?  Are you living in dependence upon God by waiting for Him to return to you [v.6]? Tuesday – Read Hosea 12:7-12:14 In these verses we see God’s people refuse to acknowledge their sin.  What particular sin does God expose in this accusation of His people [v.7]?  What is the response of God’s people to His accusation [v.8]?  Is there a particular area of your life in which you currently stand in prideful rebellion against God’s revealed will and declare your innocence?  Ask God to search your heart & expose your own prideful assumptions of innocence. Wednesday – Read Hosea 13:1-13:8 Once again God confronts idolatry in His people and exposes their distance from Him.  What do God’s people stand guilty of in His sight [v.2]?  What idols do you look to for satisfaction, significance, & security?  What images does the prophet employ to describe God’s judgment [v.3]?  The declaration of verse 4 is consistent with God’s self-revelation prior & subsequent to the days of Hosea. How is verse 4 seen most clearly in New Testament revelation? Thursday – Read Hosea 13:9-13:16 In these verses we see a very graphic depiction of the impending judgment pronounced by the prophet.  Who does God say will save them from impending judgment [v.9-11; 14]?  What do we see about the current political & economic situation for God’s people in verse 15 that might cause them to disregard the prophet’s message?  Do we ever operate with a false sense of security in our lives because things seem to be going well?  Does your dependence & attentiveness to God diminish in times of flourishing? Friday – Read Hosea 14:1-9; Romans 3:26 In these verses we find an appeal by the prophet for God’s people to repent of their idolatry, return to the Lord their God, and trust in God’s promise of deliverance.  What does Hosea say has been the downfall of Israel [v.1]?  How has sin been your downfall? What consequences have you born or do you now bear on account of your idolatry?  To whom should Israel look for deliverance from God’s judgment [v.3]? Hosea tells us that in order to be delivered from God’s judgment, God’s people must look to the God who pronounces the judgment. How does this square with what the apostle Paul says in Romans 3:26?  May you be blessed by God’s promise to replant, restore, and redeem [v.4-8]!

NOTE: The bold in each point represents the subject of the unit – what the author was talking about, while the bold underline represents the complement – what the author was saying about what he was talking about. Together the subject and complement provide the proposition or big idea of each unit.

(Exegetical: What it meant to the Israel {and Judah} back THEN) ISRAEL’S REBELLION (LACK OF LOYAL-LOVE TO THE GOD OF THE COVENANT) . . . REQUIRED DIVINE RETRIBUTION THAT WOULD RESULT IN ISRAEL’S RESTORATION, (Hosea 6:4-11:11). NOTE: Hosea had taken up the case/indictment/charge against Israel, “There is no acknowledgment of God” in 4:1-6:3. Now in 6:4-11:11 he takes up the second part of the case/indictment/charge: “There is no love.” Because the portions are relatively long, the text will be exegeted in summary form rather than in verse-by-verse detail. Be sure to check with your various commentaries, including, Chisholm and Wiersbe, and your study Bibles in order to address the details of Hosea’s words. His many allusions will make more sense if they are properly referenced. I. Hosea’s detailed evidence of Israel’s sins . . . depicted her many acts of rebellion against God and the Covenant they had made with Him, (6:4-8:14). A. Hosea’s summary of God’s case against Israel . . . stated that they lacked loyal-love for the God of the Covenant, that God would punish His people’s apostasy, but that God ultimately desired a genuine inward relationship with His people rather than mere outward ritual worship, (6:4-6). B. The self-indulgence of God’s people . . . demonstrated their apostasy/ lack of loyal-love, (6:7-11). NOTE: Israel had broken Covenant with God so that they could indulge in the immoral practices of the nations. C. The self-deception of God’s people . . . demonstrated their apostasy/ lack of loyal-love, (7:1-16). 1. Israel’s self-deception . . . prevented their restoration, (7:1-3). 2. Israel’s self-deception . . . hid their unrestrained in anger, passion, (7:4- 7) 3. Israel’s self-deception . . . hid their half-hearted, compromise, (7:8). 4. Israel’s self-deception . . . hid their debilitated impotence, (7:9-10). 5. Israel’s self-deception . . . hid their deluded by diplomacy, (7:11-14). 6. Israel’s self-deception . . . hid their vulnerability to invasion, (7:15-16). NOTE: Israel chose to be blind to its many weaknesses and liabilities. D. The self-reliance of God’s People . . . demonstrated their apostasy/ lack of loyal-love, (8:1-14). 1. Israel’s self-reliance . . . appointed their own kings, (8:1-4). 2. Israel’s self-reliance . . . made calf-idols to worship, (8:5-7). 3. Israel’s self-reliance . . . made alliances with expensive allies, (8:8-10). 4. Israel’s self-reliance . . . practiced empty religion, (8:11-13) 5. Israel’s self-reliance . . . trusted in their own defense systems, (8:14). NOTE: Israel pursued every way but God’s way of prosperity and security.

©CS 14 II. Hosea’s sentence against Israel . . . depicted God’s retribution/punishment in its many forms, (9:1-11:7). A. Israel’s days of celebration . . . had come to an end, (9:1-2). B. Israel’s abode in the land . . . would be replaced by Assyrian exile, (9:3-6). B. God’s day of inescapable judgment . . . had come to punish Israel’s rebellion, (9:7-17). C. Israel’s religious systems . . . could not protect/sustain them, (10:1-8). D. Israel’s political alliances . . . could not protect/sustain them, (10:9-15). E. Israel’s privileged calling . . . could not protect/sustain them, (11:1-7). III. Hosea’s promise Israel’s ultimate salvation . . . depicted God’s change of heart that would result in Israel’s restoration, (11:8-11). A. God’s loyal-love for Israel . . . would not let Him abandon them forever, (11:8a). B. God’s change of heart, because He was God and not a man . . . would limit His retribution/punishment of Israel, (11:8b-9). C. God’s relenting of His retribution . . . would lead to Israel’s restoration to the land, (11:10-11). (Theological: What it means for God’s people ALWAYS) GOD’S COMPASSIONATE, LOYAL-LOVE FOR HIS COVENANT PEOPLE . . . REVERSES HIS RETALIATION/DISCIPLINE FOR THEIR REBELLION INTO RESTORATION OF BLESSING. I. The sin of God’s rebellious people . . . demonstrates their lack of loyalty, (6:4- 8:14). II. God’s retribution/discipline upon His people . . . strips them of all their dignity and resources, (9:1-11:7) III. God’s restoration of His dependent people . . . flows out of His compassionate loyal-love, (11:8-11). NOTE: Moses had promised Israel, during the second giving of the Law and before they entered the Promised Land, that if they remained loyal to the Lord they would be blessed (Deuteronomy 28:1-15), but if they rebelled against the Lord and His Covenant they would be judged and scattered (Deuteronomy 28:15-29:29). Yet the Lord promised that if Israel turned back to Him as a result of having to live with the consequences of His discipline, He would restore them to the land and to blessing (Deuteronomy 30:1- 20). Israel, because of the rebellion we read about in Hosea, was taken into captivity by Assyria in 722 B.C. (2 Kings 17:6). The ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom have not yet been restored to the land. Judah, because they did not learn their lesson by observing Israel’s judgment, was taken into captivity by Babylon in 586 B.C. (2 Kings 24:10-14). A remnant from Judah was restored to the land under Ezra, Nehemiah, Joshua, and Zerubbabel in 538 B.C. (Ezra 1:1-4). The restored remnant of Israel lived in the land through the days of Jesus, though under the influence of Greek and Roman rulers. Then, because of Israel’s official rejection of Jesus as Messiah, judgment once again visited the nation in 70 A.D. (see Matthew 21:42-44; 24:2; Mark 13:2; Luke 19:41-44; 21:6) when the Romans raised Jerusalem. Once again, God’s people – Israel – were scattered among the nations. This judgment is in line with the prophecy of Deuteronomy 28-30. So far there has been no spiritual repentance on the part of Israel and no God-empowered return to the land. (The ©CS 15 present state of Israel, although a friendly democracy, is not the fulfillment of God’s promise to revive a spiritually faithful people.) But we know from Romans 9-11 that the day will come when God’s people – Israel – will turn to Him and be restored. What is important for us to realize is that the principles with which God has operated with Israel are the same principles with which He works with us. He calls us to covenant loyalty through faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. He promises blessing for obedience, but judgment for rebellion. Yet He always offers restoration for repentance. He is not a man – thinking only of self-centered justice and personal vengeance. He is God – full of compassion and forgiveness. (Pedagogical: What it means for us TODAY) TURN BACK TO GOD’S LOVE. Preview: Rebellion (6:4) invites Retribution (6:5) that anticipates Restoration, (6:6) I. Rebellion is a hallmark of God’s fickle people, (6:7-8:14). A. Our self-indulgence demonstrates our lack of loyal-love, (6:7-11). B. Our self-deception demonstrates our lack of loyal-love, (7:1-16). 1. Our self-deception prevents our restoration, (7:1-3). 2. Our self-deception hides our unrestrained in anger, passion, (7:4-7) 3. Our self-deception hides our half-hearted, compromise, (7:8). 4. Our self-deception hides our debilitated impotence, (7:9-10). 5. Our self-deception hides our deluded diplomacy, (7:11-14). 6. Our self-deception hides our vulnerability to invasion, (7:15-16). C. Our self-reliance demonstrates our lack of loyal-love, (8:1-14). 1. Our self-reliance trusts government to bless us, (8:1-4). 2. Our self-reliance trusts our religious offerings to bless us, (8:5-7). 3. Our self-reliance trusts our entertainments to bless us, (8:8-10). 4. Our self-reliance trusts external religion to bless us, (8:11-13) 5. Our self-reliance trusts own defense systems to bless us, (8:14). II. Retribution from God breaks down the resources of our rebellion, (9:1-11:7). A. Our days of celebrating sin will end, (9:1-2). B. Our freedom will be replaced by bondage/compulsion/debt, (9:3-6). B. God’s discipline will correct us, (9:7-17). C. Our religious affiliation will not protect/sustain us, (10:1-8). D. Our political alliances will not protect/sustain us, (10:9-15). E. Our privileged history will not protect/sustain us, (11:1-7). (We have only one hope . . .) III.Restoration to blessing awaits those who seek God’s compassion, (11:8-11). A. God’s loyal-love will not let Him abandon us forever, (11:8a). B. God’s change of heart, because He is God and not a man will limit His discipline, (11:8b-9). C. God’s relenting of His retribution will restore you, (11:10-11). IV. TURN BACK TO GOD’S LOVE. A. Trust God for significance (worth), security (peace), and satisfaction (joy). B. Obey God’s Word (see John 14:15, 21).