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It was January 21, 1930, and the British King George V was to open the great Naval Disarmament Conference in the Royal Gallery in the House of Lords. The king’s speech would be broadcast to 50 North American radio stations. Remember, this was during the infancy of radio broadcast. However, minutes before the king began his address, someone in the control room of the Columbia Broadcasting Company tripped over the network wires.

For almost 10 seconds there was silence. The broadcast room panicked at the dead air and loss of connection. However, in that brief amount of time, connection was quickly restored.

Harold Vivian, a young radio engineer, had an instant response: he grasped the wires together in his hands to restore the circuit. For 20 minutes, Harold used his body to splice the broken link. His arms twitched and back spasmed with shocks from electric current.[1] He never let go and never ceased to make the bridge, so the world was able to hear communication from the king.

Similarly, the OT prophets were the bridge of communication between God and man. In the past, God revealed His message only through prophets. Yet, today, God has spoken through His Son Jesus Christ. We can know God through the recorded Scriptures and teachings of Jesus.

Today we start a study on Hosea.

• Hosea is 1 of 66.
  Modern technology has grown with artificial intelligence (AI), so that now a person can have chat conversation with Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and other biblical figures. Some figures are free but some cost a monthly subscription; and for gratuity, so is having chat with the AI Satan.
  
  We shall not approach Scripture as a computer bot or fortune cookie offering advice with desensitized and politically correct interpretations. Nor is the Bible to be manipulated with a string of random verses out of context to make us feel better about ourselves. Instead, God’s word is a timeline for all history for how to have peace with God and purpose in life. God’s word is an anchor amid a stormy sea. It clarifies truth, convicts of wrong, guides our path, provides wisdom. Therefore, each book is a cherished gift and treasure. Let us not overlook a single book.

• Hosea is a minor prophet… not because the book is insignificant but because it is shorter in length compared to the major prophets. They’re still poetic and offer vivid imagery, but they are brief in writing – – – some are praying for minor pastors for brief sermons 🙂 !?!

• Hosea prophecies against political promiscuity/idolatry. Hosea preached against the Northern Kingdom (Ephraim) for its ungodly leadership and unwise alliances. Hosea 7:11 “Ephraim is silly and without sense, calling to Egypt and going to Assyria. Hosea 12:1 “Ephraim feeds on the wind… they make covenant with Assyria and oil is carried to Egypt.” Such alliances are described relationally in graphic language as “whoredom” (Hos 1:2-3; 2:5; 5:3; 6:10; 9:1; ). In other words, they committed spiritual adultery and abandoned the Lord by focusing on political alliances to accomplish their life goals.
  
• Hosea teaches us about God’s discipline. Society – and the church – needs to regain the fear of God. Reading the OT prophets calls us to elevate our view of God’s holiness and not to presume upon His forgiveness or underestimate His wrath. In Hosea, we see God as a jealous husband (2:2); a farmer fighting thorns (2:6); a provoked shepherd (4:16); a destructive moth (5:12); a ferocious lion (5:14;11:10); a fierce hunter (7:12); a grim reaper (9:12); a warrior (10:9-10) a disciplinary father (11:1, ff); a punishing judge (11:2); a predatory leopard (13:7).  
  Proverbs 3:12 says, “The Lord disciplines the one He loves.” The book of Hosea teaches us God’s loving discipline to address wayward hearts, spiritual drift, and stubborn disobedience.
  
• Hosea teaches about God’s patience. In addition to disciplinary imagery in Hosea, we also see merciful depictions of God: a forgiving husband (3:1, ff); a healing doctor (6:1-2); refreshing rain (6:3); a merciful butcher sparing a calf (10:11); an understanding and gracious father (11:1, ff); a providing parent (13:4-6); a lover ready to reconcile (14:4); a nourishing plant (14:5-6); a shade-protective and fruitful tree (14:7-8). In all these, God’s patience is on full display despite Israel’s unworthiness.

Likewise, as Christians, patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit – and thus something we can learn and grow. Though we do not like the sometimes-grueling process of patience, we need it to look and love like Jesus. Our families, neighborhoods, schools, jobs, churches, and the world all benefit from people who are patient and humble instead of careless and reckless with their words or actions. Instead of jumping to judgment upon the world, we need to remember God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish. God’s kindness and relentless grace is meant to lead us to repentance – and there’s still time!

Our families, neighborhoods, schools, jobs, churches, and the world all benefit from people who are patient and humble instead of careless and reckless with their words or actions.

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• Hosea teaches us about faithful marriage. This historical prophetic book is deeply personal to the Hosea because it’s about the love of his wife with their three children. Marriage is meant to be a “parable of permanence”[2] but unfortunately it is treated as a “parable of perversion.” Hosea’s wife Gomer repeatedly gives her body to other lovers (Hos 3). Marriage vows say, “for better or worse,” and for Hosea it was definitively worse. Yet, God calls Hosea to extend relentless grace and redeem her from slave-masters. Thus, this prophetic book portrays God pleading with us like a spouse who is heartbroken from our unfaithfulness. Indeed, Gomer’s & Hosea’s relationship serves as a parable for the spiritual adultery between Israel and God – and thus, us today with the idols of our heart. But more, this book emphatically calls us to honor marriage, even when it gets tough.

For the marriage that is

• Pained from infertility or miscarriage with the grief of what should have been.
• Stressed with finances as you work hard but somehow can never catch up.
• Frayed bc you’re chasing kids non-stop and there’s little time for adult talk, and don’t even think about romance. So, instead of growing closer, you’re growing apart. You foresee an end timeline to your marriage as kids age.
• Fatigued bc you’re caregiving for a parent, or an adult child, or perhaps even your spouse. You didn’t plan for this. Many days you don’t want this and are secretly planning and wondering if you will actually follow through with an exit plan.
• Shattered by some life event that has become traumatic and leaves you cold and silent. You know you need help, but you just can’t bring yourself to take a single step.

If any of these scenarios are you… of you know someone, we can take hope in the Lord’s words in Hosea 3 “Go again… redemption is possible… and there is goodness to come in the latter days.”

Whether you’re struggling in marriage, in family, or any other common circumstance, we can trust in this ever-challenging world that God is faithful and His goodness is dependable. Go again to the Lord for persevering strength.

NOTE: This book is provocative in referencing adultery in blunt wording. But note, when it comes to marriages conflicting or failed due to abuse, there are times not to” “Go again” but
“Get away” and allow offenses to be judged earthly and eternally.[3]

EXAMINE                     Hosea 1-2

Hosea 1:1 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.

Hosea’s name means “God saves/delivered,” similar to the name Joshua, or even Yeshua (Jesus).  Based on the kings mentioned, his prophetic ministry would be set in 2 Kings 18, and lasted about 50 years. Additionally, the kings mentioned represent both the northern kingdom of Israel with kings like: Jeroboam, Uzziah, Jotham; and then southern kingdom’s kings: Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Hosea does not mention all the kings because he viewed most of their kings as illegitimate: “All their kings have fallen; and none of them calls upon Me” (Hos 7:7). “They made kings but not through Me; They set up princes but without My consent” (Hos 8:4).

In all, the book of Hosea is a heart-felt message by a heart-sick prophet from a heart-broken God.[4] Some call Hosea the “death-bed prophet” because he was the last of God’s prophets to the northern kingdom before it fell to Assyria in 722BC.

• A beginning application is that however long you live, and in whatever season of life you’re in, be faithful to the word of the LORD. Hosea was faithful in his generation. Acts 13:36 “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep [died] and was laid with his fathers and [his body] saw corruption.”
  
  *You may be young and think you need to be older before God can use you. Nonsense!
  *You may be in a busy or bothersome situation and think God has you in a holding pattern. You can still worship God while you wait upon Him as you exercise patience, trust, and obedience in what is before you.
  *You may be someone who is older, and perhaps nearing the checkered flag last lap of life. And you’re wondering, “Why am I still left on earth? Why doesn’t God just take me?” While it’s ok to ask the question, God’s answer is one word: Today! Today, wake up and thank God. Today, trust Jesus if you have not done so. Today, obey the Spirit’s promptings to be a light and love someone. Today, draw near to God’s word. Today, do not protest the sovereignty of God but praise Him knowing one day you will truly stand before Him.

Hosea 1:2-3 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 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.

The LORD spoke to and through Hosea. This should not be read to swiftly, as we understand the religious hypocrisy and spiritual adultery during the time. Yet, God is gracious to raise up a prophet and reveal His word to call His people to repentance.

• We must be careful of being desensitized to the status-quo and sub-culture around us. When a follower of God calls people to elevate their perspective and improve their principles, they should not be dismissed as self-righteous. Instead, there are times to look in the mirror and see how far we have drifted away from God’s design and purposes.

God called Hosea to marry Gomer. Scholars differ on whether she was adulterous before or after the marriage. The issue is that God’s purity standards for marriage are clear (Ex 20:14; Lev 21:14; Prov 4-7). Yet, the context of the book indicates that to marry any Israelite woman was to marry an unfaithful woman due to the religious and moral promiscuity of Hosea’s day.^[5] Essentially, Hosea is merely writing the events from the perspective of God’s sovereignty during a sinful and sullied time period.

• Today, God’s people are not to lower standards for selecting a mate just because we live in an immoral society (1Cor 6:13-20; 2Cor 6:14-18). When we intentionally lower our standards God raises the consequences of our sin.

Hosea & Gomer would have 3 children:

• V.4) A son named Jezreel, which means scattered, and was a place of many battles and bloodshed in Israel’s history.[6] Like Chernobyl signifies nuclear disaster to modern person…
  
• V.6) A daughter named Lo-Ruhama, which means “no mercy; not loved.” A dreadful name for a child, but served as judgment upon Israel.
  
• V.9) A son named Lo-Ammi, which means “not my people.” Again, the child’s name drew attention to the prophet’s family, which became Hosea’s message to the nation.

God sees every corner and closet of sin, and the consequences are disfellowship from God. One of the reasons why we spiral with sin is because we view it abstractly rather than relational. We perceive sin as a fixable mistake, but God sees it as a failed commitment that leads to hurting family and broken marriage.

One of the reasons why we spiral with sin is because we view it abstractly rather than relational. We perceive sin as a fixable mistake, but God sees it as a failed commitment that leads to hurting family and broken covenant with Him.

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Hosea 2:1-5 ¹   Say to your brothers, “You are my people,” and to your sisters, “You have received mercy.” ²  “Plead with your mother, plead— for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband— that she put away her whoring from her face, and her adultery from between her breasts; ³  lest I strip her naked and make her as in the day she was born, and make her like a wilderness, and make her like a parched land, and kill her with thirst. ⁴  Upon her children also I will have no mercy, because they are children of whoredom. ⁵  For their mother has played the whore; she who conceived them has acted shamefully. For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.’

Hosea communicates to the family that adultery has consequences and the family is disrupted. In v.4, essentially Hosea says when Gomer has more children with other men, “I’m not supporting them.” Gomer goes after multiple lovers because she is trying to satisfy her longings that look appealing in the short-term but never truly fulfill.

But notice Hosea still cares. He tried to protect her from her selfishness and foolish decisions. Instead of active anger, he sought passive punishment by removing her provisions – like taking her name off the bank accounts & credit cards; like canceling her phone and dropping cable tv – revealing that she had it far better with Hosea than living with men who only viewed her as an object of gratification not a person to care and love.

Hosea 2:6- 10 ⁶ Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths…. ⁷ …. Then she shall say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now.’ ⁸ And she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold…⁹ Therefore I will take back my grain in its time, and my wine in its season, and I will take away my wool and my flax, which were to cover her nakedness. ¹⁰ Now I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one shall rescue her out of my hand.

Likewise, God’s intent with discipline is not to pay us back but get us back. He wants reconciliation not retaliation.

God’s intent with discipline is not to pay us back but get us back. He wants reconciliation not retaliation.

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Hosea 2:14-20 ¹⁴ “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. ¹⁵ And there I will give her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor [trouble] a door of hope.

This is beautiful and redemptive imagery. In Israel’s conquest to Canaan’s promised land under Joshua, the Israelites were told to destroy everything. However, a man named Achan looted from the enemy’s gifts and possessions. The sin was found out and Achan was executed and his grave was marked with a pile of rocks and the location labeled “Valley of Achor” (Joshua 7:26). So, Hosea is saying that Gomer pursued the “gifts” of her lovers but she was shut out and closed the door on her empty handed. Yet, God is opening a new door with the gift of alluring salvation and eternal betrothal/marriage.

And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt. ¹⁶ “And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’ ¹⁷ For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more. ¹⁸ And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. ¹⁹ And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. ²⁰ I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.

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Our worship pastor Bill Bloomquist has a professional doctorate degree in classical piano. I remember one day being with him and playing music from a Spotify playlist of classical music and he could name each song and artist within seconds of listening to the song. But he doesn’t just know the piano from listening to songs and reading about musical artists – he has put hundreds of thousands of hours practicing playing the piano. And there is no doubt that his lovely wife Mary Ann enjoys daily mini-concerts around the house from a professional pianist. Yet, when Bill gets tired (which is rare) and the 88 piano keys stop being played, and silence fills their home – there is something that remains true: over 200 strings remain attached.

Our relationship with God is like a piano – when the music stops the strings are still attached. The strings of God’s love are anchored to His heart not our feelings. Today – today – let us listen to the music and sing fully knowing the strings are attached.

Our relationship with God is like a piano – when the music stops the strings are still attached. The strings of God’s love are anchored to His heart not our feelings.

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[1] http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2023/Rome%20NY%20Daily%20Sentinel/Rome%20NY%20Daily%20Sentinel%201930%20Jan-Mar/Rome%20NY%20Daily%20Sentinel%201930%20Jan-Mar%20-%200251.pdf

[2] https://www.desiringgod.org/books/this-momentary-marriage

[3] Consider the graphic imagery of consequences of sin and guilt in Hosea 13:16.

[4] Skip Heitzig, The Bible From 30K Feet: Hosea sermon.

^[5] Douglas Stuart, Hosea–Jonah, vol. 31, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1987), 27.

[6] 1 Sam 29:1 with Philistines, 2 Sam 2:8 Naboth’s murder; 2 Ki 9:24-10:11 Jehu killed Joram, Jezebel and Ahab’s household; Judges 4-5; 6-7 setting of battle for Deborah and Gideon.