HOSEA THE PROPHET

AN OBJECT LESSON IN FORGIVENESS
 

INTRODUCTION:
1. Forgivness is one of the most basic and most difficult of all Christian doctrines.
2. Peter asked the Lord, "How often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you up to seven times but up to seventy times seven" (Mtt.18:21-22).
3. Ephesians 4:32 "...forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you."
4. Col.3:13 "...Even as Christ forgave you, so you also, must do."
5. Perhaps no other Bible book teaches us about the love and forgiveness of God toward His people as well as the book of Hosea the Prophet.
I. HOSEA, GOD, GOMER AND ISRAEL (1:1-9; 3:1-5)
  A. His father's name was "Beeri" (1:1) We know nothing else about him or the birth and early life of Hosea.
  B. He was a citizen of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
  C. His name means "salvation" and is from the same Hebrew root as Jesus and Joshua.
  D. He began prophesying about 770 B.C. and continued to 697 B.C. (1:1).
      1.  His ministry lasted about 70 years.
      2. He died around 90 years old.
  E. He was a sad, deeply affectionate man, but frank in his preaching.
  F. His book contains beautifully poetic verses.
  G. He experienced heart-breaking family problems.
       1. His wife Gomer became unfaithful after their marriage and left her home.
       2. She fell into the depths of immorality and was finally sold into prostitution.
       3. With loving pity, even after all she had done, Hosea bought her back and took her
           home.
  H. They had three children each with a significant name (1:3-9).
       1. Jezreel (Vengence)- A day of vengence was coming upon the King Jehu and the Northern Kingdom.
       2. Lo-Ruhamah (Not pitied or no more mercy)- The nation's day of grace was rapidly drawing to a close.
       3. Lo-Ammi (Not my people)- Israel had forfeited her position as God's people.
           (This name also may have meant that Hosea questioned whether or not he was the father.)
  I. Just as Hosea's wife left and then he allowed her to return, so God did with Israel time and time again.

II. HOSEA, GOMER, GOD AND CHRISTIANS:
A. 1John 1:7-10  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
B.   Matt 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

C.  Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."  
D. As long as one is willing and able to come back he can be forgiven.

E.  Heb.6:4-6, For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
May not ever come back!!
III. HOSEA, GOMER, AND CHRISTIANS WITH ONE ANOTHER:
  A. Mtt.18:21-22;
      1) 6:14-15;
      2)  Eph.4:32;
     3) Col.3:12-13;
  B. As many time as he comes back, we must be willing to forgive!!

Conclusion:
1. Hosea was patient, kind, and forgiving to Gomer because he loved her, even when she did not return his love.
2. God has been the same way to us (Rom.8:35-39; John 10:29; 2Pet.3:9).
3. We must be the same to one another (John 13:35).

Lessons to Remember From Hosea:
1. Nothing can quench God's love for us.
2. God suffers intense sorrow when men desert him.
3. The sacredness and sanctity of marriage is an example of God's love for us (Eph.5:22-3).
4. It is a great tragedy to sin against true love
     a)  Jno.14:15-If you love Me, keep My commandments.
     b)  Jno.15:13-14-Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends and 
           you are My friends if you do whatever I command you.