July 10 Hosea Chapters 1-8

We had 6 for Wordlisteners on this night. My notes are below. It was amazing how much alike the world is today as it was in Hosea's day just before the Assyrians took Israel into exile.

Chapter 1

Enough information is given to establish the time frame the book was written. This was at a time just before the Samaria (Israel) to the Assyrians.

Marriage is used by God as an example to illustrate the nation of Israel's relationship to Him. He instructs Hosea to take a wife of harlotry and have children. God hates divorce as we have read previously, and in terms of Israel's faithfulness to Him, He has every right to put them (us) out, but chooses to love us.

Gomer, Hosea's wife bore him a son, and then had two more children - of which can't be said with certainty that he was the father. This illustrates how Israel had multiple gods, instead of the one true God. Are we true to God, or do we play the field of all the other distractions that can take our focus off of Him?

Verse 10-11 show that even though God is about to let Assyria overthrow Samaria for Israel's unfaithfulness, that He is committed to this relationship with Israel long term. The day of Jezreel will be the day bloodshed ends and God makes all things right.

Chapter 2
A last chance for Israel, like a last chance for an adulterous spouse. A last chance for for the idolator that puts other things before God. The harlot uses the word "I" (several times) in terms of I will do things my way, and I want my way. But God says He is the reason she has what she has, even that which she used in worship of other Gods. God will take back what is His. He won't make us do things His way, but He may hedge our way with thorns to lead us in the direction He desires. We use the word "I" and Jesus said He does nothing that His Father
didn't show Him.

Again restoration is talked about, when we get to the end of the blessings of God, or they are taken away. When we get to the ends of our health, or it is taken away. Then our attention will turn to God (Job's attention held fast through good times and bad) or we will curse God (like Satan told God man would in Job).

At that time our relationship to God will be like that to a spouse. The closest and deepest possible. Our obedience to a master will turn into the closest relationship that is possible. (Ishi- Husband, Baali- master) Creation will respond to our right relationship to God, just like the land spews out those that defile it -Leviticus 18:28

God's heart - He wants relationship with us in His creation.

Chapter 3
Hosea has to go redeem his wife. She had sold herself into bondage through her harlotry. The nation will be taken away, they will live in exile, and not have a leader. One less idol to make them focus on God, and once seeking God, He will let Himself be found.

Chapter 4
The example of Gomer and Hosea is dropped, the nation of Israel is now described. No faithfulness, kindness or knowledge of God in the land- where is the US heading?

Violence, deception and a mourning land.

Everyone languishes (grow weak).

When Israel split from Judah they made two calves to worship in Samaria and appointed priests who were not Levites. This shows a clear refusal to obey God, or at the very least ignorance of His ways. Yet Israel was a nation many years before God let them be captured.

Chapter 5
Wanting our own way, and serving the gods that we think will get us what we want leads to hardship and ruin. Affliction, until we get to the point where we will seek God earnestly.

Chapter 6
The Lord tears, and the Lord heals. Did the Lord send it? Does He wound so He can bandage? If the world was created such that those that deny the Lord get into afflictions, is that the same as God sending it, or a consequence ?

He will raise us up on the third day- sure sounds familiar. He wants us to live before Him, He wants us to know Him.

He has hewn us by messages from His prophets, He has slain us with His words. He cries out for us. Our loyalty is fleeting, but He delights in it. Firm and consistent loyalty to Him. He wants us to have knowledge of Him (know Him) rather than offer sacrifices.

Chapter 7 and 8 I did not create specific notes for.