Hosea 1.1-9 SN
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Page 1 of 22 “A Provocative Illustration” Hosea 1:1-2:1 Introduction The minor prophets are less familiar to us. We call the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel major. Those are the big leaguers. Then we have all the minor prophets. Little League. Most of these guys don’t get much airtime. And to be honest, it is a lot of work to mine out the gold contained in the minor prophets. Surely it is worth the effort, but we aren’t as familiar with what was going on in Israel’s history at that time, then there are many geographical references that for the most part have very little significance to us, then there are all of the cultural references that we don’t understand. It’s over the most part we have a few key verses that we no from the minor prophets that are familiar and meaningful. But the minor prophets are not an area that we spend as much time studying as other places in our Bibles. I’m stating this upfront, just to recognize where we are at, and also to let you know why we are doing this series right now. If so that you will have a greater understanding and appreciation of Hosea’s contribution to the canon scripture. Paul told Timothy that all Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable. That means the Old Testament and the New Testament. Same God of the entire Bible, but many distinctions in terms of how use representative in what we learn about him in each testament. The apostle Paul tells us how to think about reading about Israel. Page 1 of 22 Page 2 of 22 1 Corinthians 10:11–12 (ESV)—Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. When we read about Israel, And we come to understand how badly they dishonored the Lord, We might think, “how terrible of them.” But Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10 warn us not to look down upon Israel, but rather to study Israel’s mistakes and in making direct application to our own life, avoid sinning in the very same ways. Introduction to Hosea Our sin is relational. Often times we view the law of God separated from the law giver. We view our salvation separate from our savior. And we view our sin separate from our sustainer. God created us for fellowship with him, he blessed us, and everything about our lives is connected back to our relationship with him. Think of how often in the Scriptures, and especially in the Old Testament you here reference to “your God.” (Exodus 20:1) Hosea is all about God’s relationship with his people. It reveals God’s hatred in his offense toward our sin. It reveals God’s unstoppable grace and mercy that knows no end. Chapter 1 will set up the mega themes of the entire book. Hosea 1:1–11—1 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. 2 When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the Page 2 of 22 Page 3 of 22 land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD.” 3 So he went and took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. 4 And the LORD said to him, “Call his name Jezreel, for in just a little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. 5 And on that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.” 6 She conceived again and bore a daughter. And the LORD said to him, “Call her name No Mercy, for I will no more have mercy on the house of Israel, to forgive them at all. 7 But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the LORD their God. I will not save them by bow or by sword or by war or by horses or by horsemen.” 8 When she had weaned No Mercy, she conceived and bore a son. 9 And the LORD said, “Call his name Not My People, for you are not my people, and I am not your God.” 10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.” 11 And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head. And they shall go up from the land, for great shall be the day of Jezreel. 2:1 Say to your brothers, “You are my people,” and to your sisters, “You have received mercy.” Hosea 1:1–11—1 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. This opening verse orients us to the time and geography, the setting for these words. Page 3 of 22 Page 4 of 22 Hosea is a prophet. Prophets received revelation from God. This is a typical introduction, “the word of the Lord came… “ We know nothing about Beeri. What we do know is that right now God’s people are divided into two kingdoms. The 12 tribes of Israel came out of it, and formed a unified nation under the reign of King David and King Solomon. But in 931 the kingdom was divided. Israel was the northern kingdom, it contained more tribes, more land, and it was less faithful. Judah occupied the south, it was where Jerusalem was located, and the monarchy coming through the line of David was more stable in Judah and in Israel. That meant if you were kings. Judah was still unfaithful, but Israel’s idolatry was much worse. Five kings. Jeroboam II, the son of Joash, is the only one from Israel (the north). The other four kings are from Judah (in the south). This was a time of national prosperity, things are going relatively well economically and politically. But it was a time of spiritual decay. Hosea’s ministry had to span at least 45 years in order to minister at some point during all of these monarchies. There was some longevity to this role that outlasted other leaders. Similar In some ways to a US Supreme Court Justice. Justice Anthony Kennedy served for 30 years spanning six presidencies from 1988 to 2018. Hosea does not give us exact dates, but this is mid-eighth century. 750’s. For reference, Israel will fall to Assyria in 722 B.C. So this is coming somewhere around 20 to 30 years before destruction. Page 4 of 22 Page 5 of 22 2 When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, So, this is your first day on job. You show up for work, you don your prophet’s uniform. You’re full of a mixture of excitement, fear, and anticipation. You’re going to be a mouthpiece for God—a privilege known by a few handfuls of individuals in the history of the entire world. I distinctly remember my first day of my first real job. I had to make sure that my bleach blonde hair was properly styled. It was the 90’s OK? I had to go buy new white dress shirt because I either did not have one or it was stained. I delete out my clothes, and get my shirt ironed. Buy new work shoes. Make sure to leave extra early. And show up wondering what is the first day going to bring? And so here’s Hosea. “Ok Lord, here I am ready to go… what’s my first assignment?” When the Word first came to Hosea. So, the text tells us that the first message, the message that Hosea could write down in his parchment scroll journal entitled, “Messages from God,” is commemorating his first mission from God. He licks his charcoal pen and to write. “Ok, LORD, here I am, lay it on me…” Do I get to be a missionary like Jonah? Or do I get to go serve in the Kings Court like Isaiah? Maybe I will lead a crusade, and a revival impact, and fruit, and nationwide repentance and restoration. Miracles like Elijah and Elisha? Page 5 of 22 Page 6 of 22 The God who created Hosea, and commissioned him, and requires obedience that is done right away, all the way, and with the happy heart; or immediately, completely, and cheerfully, says: “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, Hosea, your bachelor days are over. It’s time for you to pursue a woman in marriage. Here’s what I want you to do. Go find a prostitute and marry her, and be a dad to children who are brought into the marriage through her cheating on you with other men.