The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Hosea

  • A Called and Beloved People

    “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.”

    Romans 9:25

    Why is it important to read and understand the book of Hosea in the Old Testament? God revealed to Hosea that one day the Gentiles would be included as His people. Understand that Gentiles are any peoples who are not Jews (Israelites). “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved” (Romans 9:25). (Osee is “Hosea”.) This verse is in reference to Hosea 2:23: “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” Today, we can become the beloved of God. The word beloved in this verse means “to love or delight in.”

    Read the following quick summary of the book of Hosea:

    God told Hosea to take Gomer, a “wife of whoredoms”, for his wife in the days of Jeroboam II. Gomer had a son, Jezreel; a daughter, Loruhamah; another son, Loammi; each child represented a relationship between God and His people (see Hosea 1). A warning was given. God revealed His love for His people in the taking away then restoring their necessities. By doing that, He would remove their allegiance to Baal, restoring them as His people (see Hosea 2). Hosea was to love his wife, buying her back, displaying the love God had for His people (see Hosea 3). Hosea told the people that because of their apostasy, God would allow troubles (see Hosea 4). Judgment would fall upon the priests, the house of Israel, and the house of the king. Yet when they sought God, they would not find Him, for He would withdraw from His people. Hosea revealed that God’s wrath would be poured out upon them “till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face” (see Hosea 5). Encouragement to return to the Lord was given, along with a reminder of the failings of man’s ability to keep their part of the covenant with God (see Hosea 6). ALL of the people had turned from God, and none had returned. For this, God would send destruction (see Hosea 7). Why? “For Israel hath forgotten his Maker”. We then read a listing of the sins, punishments, and the reasons for punishment (see Hosea 8). Recognize the utter rejection of God’s people described during the time of discipline, “My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him” (see Hosea 9). “Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity.” Yet they are encouraged to “break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD” (See Hosea 10). Important reminders: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him” and “my people are bent to backsliding from me” (see Hosea 11). God reminded them from which they came, yet in spite of their faithless behavior, God still called for their return to Him (see Hosea 12). “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help” (see Hosea 13). The call to repentance: “O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” What God would do if they would only return: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (see Hosea 14).

    As we glimpsed at Hosea’s personal life knowing the problems that God allowed, recognize that he was still faithful to obey God’s call upon his life. He willingly married an unfaithful wife, just as God willingly chose a people He knew would be unfaithful to Him. Remember the progression in the departure of God’s people from Him. Slow, yet ending in complete separation from Him. Even with the continual cry to seek God, repent, and turn back to avoid discipline, we found God knew that His people would refuse and continue in their path of sin — directly away from God and his mercy.

    Just as the Israelites were told of their sin and called to repentance, the same call is now extended to us today. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). All are guilty of sin, and there is a penalty to pay. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). In addition, God provided One (Jesus) who paid the penalty for us — if only we would receive. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Just as God extended a call to the Israelites, warning them before judgment would fall, God warns us today. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). What response does God require? “8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:8–10). What are we to do with that information? “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). As we recognize that because of the rejection of God by Israel, God then allowed the Gentile people to have an opportunity to belong to Him. If we will only seek Him, repent, and turn our lives completely over to Him. The process is the same, and the eternal salvation is yet to be seen. Nevertheless, we know that God told us to seek Him, while He may be found.

    Have you recognized God’s call upon your life, then responding not only to the call for salvation, but in service to Him?

    http://biblicalpath.com/index.php/how-to-be-saved/

  • Lesson 9: Hosea: God’s Enduring Love

    As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
    —Romans 9:25

    Key Verse Thought: After reading the key verse, understand that Osee in today’s memory verse is “Hosea.” As we will learn in our lesson today, God revealed to Hosea that one day the Gentiles would be included as His people. Understand that Gentiles are any peoples who are not Jews (Israelites.) This verse is in reference to Hosea 2:23: “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” Today, we can be the beloved of God. The word beloved in this verse means “to love or delight in.”

    Emphasis: In today’s lesson, we are to recognize the call of the Lord and respond. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

    Lesson Summary: In today’s lesson as we study the book of Hosea, we will learn that he suffered personal tragedy that God paralleled to Israel’s sin against God. But even with the great tragedy in his own life, we find that he understood God’s message to Israel — and he was willing to preach that truth.

    The book of Hosea begins with “The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea … in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel” (Hosea 1:1). We will find that God gave Hosea a very unusual command — to go and take a wife of the land, knowing she would be unfaithful to him. The wife he took and the relationship (including his children) that ensued was a perfect picture of the relationship that Israel had become to God — unfaithful at best. Hosea’s wife, Gomer, bore three children. The first was definitely Hosea’s child. We are not sure if the second child born to Gomer belonged to Hosea. The third child born was definitely not Hosea’s son. This was to be a picture of the gradual desertion of God’s people from the God who had chosen and set them apart as His own.

    When Hosea understood that Israel had turned from God, he cried for the people to return to the Lord. Hosea’s life was a message for God’s people. In that message was a revealing of the nation’s sin. It continued with a promise of punishment of that sin. However, God never left His people without hope. If they would only seek God, and reject the idolatrous practices they had established, God would return to them. Once it is revealed that Israel will not return, Hosea tells of the judgment that will fall. Nevertheless, God did not leave His people without one final invitation to return to Him. It was man’s choice whether to receive correction, or reject God’s Word.

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 9 Questions

    Y2Q1 – Lesson 9 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are doing these lessons with children and would like a craft idea, see the following:

    We decorated a frame and included the verse from Hosea 1:1a, and Hosea 14:1a.

  • Lesson 10: Nine Pre-Exile Minor Prophets Hosea – Zephaniah

    Key Verse

    “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,”  Hebrews 1:1

    Understanding the key verse:  “God, who at sundry times (refers to the incremental and progressive manner in which God disclosed Himself up until the appearance of the Son. It was fragmentary, piece by piece – kind of like pieces of a puzzle) and in divers manners (this word is used to qualify the manner in which divine revelation during the Old Testament time-frame was given.  It shows the diverse ways through which God disclosed His word, such as dreams, visions, angelic visitation.) spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,”

    The first nine Minor Prophets are included in the final division in the Old Testament:  Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah.  Once again we see there is an obvious division:  these are pre-exile – before the people were expelled from Israel.  Something of interest:  we know very little about these prophets.  Amos was a herdsman (Amos 7:14), Micah was from an obscure town 25 miles SW of Jerusalem who preached to the poor and oppressed, and Zephaniah was a descendant of good King Hezekiah.  NOTE:  They were just ordinary men that God chose to use.

    Our emphasis today will be to understand that God revealed himself to people through the ages in different ways at different times.  He had an extra special job for the prophets.  God has an extra special job(s) for His people today as well – if we will only obey!  Make our time on earth count for God – live for him daily.  Allow God to use us.  Respond when God calls.  It may be a minor thing God asks of us in our eyes, but very important to the kingdom of God.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 10 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 10 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    In any lesson, you may want to work on your coloring timeline – especially when it relates to the lesson.

    Review the 3×5 cards if you made them, practicing the divisions.  Focus on putting the Minor Prophet books in order for today’s lesson.

    Display the poster of the books of the Old Testament (may be downloaded from the Lesson 4 Blog). Review the Minor Prophet books (showing them on the poster).  You may have them write or draw a picture of their favorite event from the first nine of the Minor Prophets.  Because Jonah’s life is such a popular event in the Bible, you may find some Jonah stickers to work on to help them remember the Minor Prophets.  Or you may find a coloring picture that fits today’s lesson.  There are many free coloring sheets online.  Just type in a favorite and search away!

    Younger classes:  You could have the room in disarray when they come to class.  Assign different children to “clean” or “organize” the clutter (i.e.:  crayons out, papers scattered, books off of the shelf, marker on the board to be erased, etc.)  Help them understand the importance of doing what they are asked to do.  God had a special job for the prophets.  God has special things for His people to do, also.  Hand out the first worksheet to complete. After the lesson, help the students do the worksheet that reinforces what they learned in the Bible lesson.

    Younger classes:  Play “Simon Says” to reinforce obedience.  Remind them the Prophets obeyed God.

     

    Youth:  Think of a time when you were told to do something you didn’t really want to do (Have someone share, but if no one says anything, give some examples:  clean your room, be home by curfew, be nice to a sibling, etc.)  Help them see the importance of obeying (once again, give examples.)  Today, we will learn about some men that God called for a special purpose.  One of these disobeyed God.  See what happened to him!

    On the wall you have chosen in your classroom to become a huge mural:  For this week, have them each choose a Minor Prophet (1 or more to include all of them.)  Have them write a few things that they learned that helps identify them from the other prophets.  Encourage them to include the time God called them to become a spokesman for God.  Have them look for opportunities that God places before them (especially this week) to be a voice for God in this world.

    Continue to have them bring a picture, a news article, a poem they have written, a picture they may have drawn, etc. of something that is relevant to each week’s lessons.  Encourage everyone to participate.  Watch as it grows weekly, as they express what God is revealing to them through our study of how the Bible fits into His plan to help us become more like Him.

    Minor Prophets Pictures