God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n Those who are the most rebellious often think that God has given up on them

God wants all men to understand the God wants all men to understand the nature of His love.nature of His love.

Those who are the most rebellious often Those who are the most rebellious often think that God has given up on them.think that God has given up on them.



It is actually people from this background It is actually people from this background that often make changes!that often make changes!



It is actually people from this background It is actually people from this background that often make changes!that often make changes!

Sadly, many who speak of God’s love can Sadly, many who speak of God’s love can actually be more difficult to reach. actually be more difficult to reach. (Rom 2:3-5)(Rom 2:3-5)


Romans 2:3-5Romans 2:3-5 - And do you think this, O - And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? you to repentance?


5 But in accordance with your hardness and 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of revelation of the righteous judgment of God,God,


Israel (the northern kingdom) began in Israel (the northern kingdom) began in idolatry and never departed it.idolatry and never departed it.


When their kings own “prosperity” When their kings own “prosperity” depended on their not returning to God, the depended on their not returning to God, the kings made sure that would be the case. kings made sure that would be the case. (1 Kings 12:26-31)(1 Kings 12:26-31)


1 Kings 12:26-321 Kings 12:26-32 - And Jeroboam said in his - And Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom may return to the heart, "Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: 27 "If these people go up to house of David: 27 "If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah." Rehoboam king of Judah."


28 Therefore the king asked advice, made 28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of which brought you up from the land of Egypt!" 29 And he set up one in Bethel, Egypt!" 29 And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. and the other he put in Dan.


30 Now this thing became a sin, for the 30 Now this thing became a sin, for the people went people went to worship to worship before the one as before the one as far as Dan. 31 He made shrines on the high far as Dan. 31 He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi. people, who were not of the sons of Levi.


Why would God even “waste His time” Why would God even “waste His time” with such a people?with such a people?


Why would God even “waste His time” Why would God even “waste His time” with such a people?with such a people?

Here is where we will come to learn a Here is where we will come to learn a needed lesson about the nature of God.needed lesson about the nature of God.

The Painful Betrayal of God by His The Painful Betrayal of God by His peoplepeople

The background of the book of Hosea.The background of the book of Hosea.


The background of the book of Hosea.The background of the book of Hosea. The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all

derived from the same Hebrew word, derived from the same Hebrew word, hosheahoshea, which means “salvation.” In the , which means “salvation.” In the darkness of sin Hosea provides the way of darkness of sin Hosea provides the way of Salvation!Salvation!


Hosea preached during the days of Uzziah Hosea preached during the days of Uzziah (767-739), Jotham (739-731), Ahaz 731-(767-739), Jotham (739-731), Ahaz 731-715), and Hezekiah (715-686), kings of 715), and Hezekiah (715-686), kings of Judah and during the days of Jeroboam II Judah and during the days of Jeroboam II (782-752), king of Israel. (782-752), king of Israel. (Hosea 1:1)(Hosea 1:1)


Hosea 1:1 Hosea 1:1 The word of the LORD that The word of the LORD that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and and Hezekiah, Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. the son of Joash, king of Israel.


God told Hosea to take a harlot for a wife God told Hosea to take a harlot for a wife (Gomer). (Gomer). (Hosea 1:2)(Hosea 1:2)


Hosea 1:2Hosea 1:2 - - When When the LORD began to the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry committed great harlotry By departing By departing from from the LORD.“the LORD.“


What would be the attributes of a woman What would be the attributes of a woman who chose to be a harlot?who chose to be a harlot?


What would be the attributes of a woman What would be the attributes of a woman who chose to be a harlot?who chose to be a harlot?

Would marriage to a good man mean they Would marriage to a good man mean they would “live happily ever after?”would “live happily ever after?”


Why is a pattern of sin so hard to break?Why is a pattern of sin so hard to break?


The children born to Hosea show the The children born to Hosea show the heartbreak of God at their adultery.heartbreak of God at their adultery.



The first child, a son, was named Jezreel The first child, a son, was named Jezreel (whose name means "God sows; God (whose name means "God sows; God scatters").scatters").



The first child, a son, was named Jezreel The first child, a son, was named Jezreel (whose name means "God sows; God (whose name means "God sows; God scatters").scatters").

The second child, a daughter, was named The second child, a daughter, was named Lo-Ruhamah (whose name means Lo-Ruhamah (whose name means "unpitied")."unpitied").


The third child, a son, was named Lo-Ammi The third child, a son, was named Lo-Ammi (whose name means "not my people").(whose name means "not my people").



What kind of pain did Hosea experience in What kind of pain did Hosea experience in knowing that some, it not all of his children knowing that some, it not all of his children born by his wife were not his?born by his wife were not his?



What kind of pain did Hosea experience in What kind of pain did Hosea experience in knowing that some, it not all of his children knowing that some, it not all of his children born by his wife were not his?born by his wife were not his?

God wants His people to see the great pain God wants His people to see the great pain they were causing Him. they were causing Him. (Hos. 1:2; 9:1)(Hos. 1:2; 9:1)


Hosea 1:2 Hosea 1:2 When When the LORD began to speak the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: "Go, by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry committed great harlotry By departing By departing from from the LORD.“the LORD.“


Hosea 9:1 Hosea 9:1 Do not rejoice, O Israel, with Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like joy like other other peoples, For you have played peoples, For you have played the harlot against your God. You have made the harlot against your God. You have made love love for for hire on every threshing floor.hire on every threshing floor.


God will not allow such a people to have God will not allow such a people to have fellowship with Him. fellowship with Him. (Hosea 2:2; 1:9)(Hosea 2:2; 1:9)


Hosea 2:2 Hosea 2:2 2 " Bring charges against your 2 " Bring charges against your mother, bring charges; For she mother, bring charges; For she is is not My not My wife, nor wife, nor am am I her Husband! Let her put I her Husband! Let her put away her harlotries from her sight, And her away her harlotries from her sight, And her adulteries from between her breasts;adulteries from between her breasts;


Hosea 1:9 Hosea 1:9 9 Then 9 Then God God said: "Call his said: "Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you name Lo-Ammi, For you are are not My not My people, And I will not be your people, And I will not be your God.God.


In spite of this great sin, God does not give In spite of this great sin, God does not give up on Israel!up on Israel!


Gomer, after leaving Hosea, is later bought Gomer, after leaving Hosea, is later bought from those who used her as a slave. from those who used her as a slave. (Hosea 3:2-3)(Hosea 3:2-3)


Hosea 3:2-3 Hosea 3:2-3 2 So I bought her for myself 2 So I bought her for myself for fifteen for fifteen shekels shekels of silver, and one and of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley. 3 And I said to one-half homers of barley. 3 And I said to her, "You shall stay with me many days; her, "You shall stay with me many days; you shall not play the harlot, nor shall you you shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man -- so, too, have a man -- so, too, will will I I be be toward you.“toward you.“


Hosea paid the price of thirty pieces of Hosea paid the price of thirty pieces of silver, the price of a wounded slave! silver, the price of a wounded slave! (Ex 21:32)(Ex 21:32)


Exodus 21:32Exodus 21:32 - "If the ox gores a male or - "If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.stoned.

How did Israel become Like a Harlot to How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God?God?

They let someone else study and discern They let someone else study and discern God’s word for them. God’s word for them. (Hosea 4:1, 6-11)(Hosea 4:1, 6-11)

Hosea 4:1 Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD You children of Israel, For the LORD brings brings a charge against the inhabitants of a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.knowledge of God in the land.


They let someone else study and discern They let someone else study and discern God’s word for them. God’s word for them. (Hosea 4:1, 6-11)(Hosea 4:1, 6-11)

Hosea 4:1 Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD You children of Israel, For the LORD brings brings a charge against the inhabitants of a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.knowledge of God in the land.


Hosea 4:6-11 Hosea 4:6-11 6 My people are destroyed 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. 7 " The more they forget your children. 7 " The more they increased, The more they sinned against increased, The more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. Me; I will change their glory into shame.


8 They eat up the sin of My people; They set 8 They eat up the sin of My people; They set their heart on their iniquity. 9 And it shall be: their heart on their iniquity. 9 And it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, And reward them for their for their ways, And reward them for their deeds. 10 For they shall eat, but not have deeds. 10 For they shall eat, but not have enough; They shall commit harlotry, but not enough; They shall commit harlotry, but not increase; Because they have ceased obeying increase; Because they have ceased obeying the LORD. 11 " Harlotry, wine, and new wine the LORD. 11 " Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart.enslave the heart.


The first actions of Jeroboam should have brought The first actions of Jeroboam should have brought a swift reaction from the people.a swift reaction from the people.

When some says “it is too much for you” what When some says “it is too much for you” what are they really saying? are they really saying? (1 Kgs 12:28)(1 Kgs 12:28)

1 Kings 12:28 1 Kings 12:28 28 Therefore the king asked 28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!“brought you up from the land of Egypt!“


The first actions of Jeroboam should have brought The first actions of Jeroboam should have brought a swift reaction from the people.a swift reaction from the people.

When some says “it is too much for you” what When some says “it is too much for you” what are they really saying? are they really saying? (1 Kgs 12:28)(1 Kgs 12:28)

1 Kings 12:28 1 Kings 12:28 28 Therefore the king asked 28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!“brought you up from the land of Egypt!“


With the Northern Kingdom starting like With the Northern Kingdom starting like this, how hard would it be for a future this, how hard would it be for a future descendant to take a stand against these descendant to take a stand against these actions? “Fellowship in time will determine actions? “Fellowship in time will determine practice.” practice.”

They became filled with pride and fought They became filled with pride and fought God. God. (Hosea 5:3-6)(Hosea 5:3-6)


With the Northern Kingdom starting like With the Northern Kingdom starting like this, how hard would it be for a future this, how hard would it be for a future descendant to take a stand against these descendant to take a stand against these actions? “Fellowship in time will determine actions? “Fellowship in time will determine practice.” practice.”

They became filled with pride and fought They became filled with pride and fought God. God. (Hosea 5:3-6)(Hosea 5:3-6)


Hosea 5:3-6 Hosea 5:3-6 3 I know Ephraim, And Israel 3 I know Ephraim, And Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you commit harlotry; Israel is Ephraim, you commit harlotry; Israel is defiled. 4 "They do not direct their deeds defiled. 4 "They do not direct their deeds Toward turning to their God, For the spirit Toward turning to their God, For the spirit of harlotry is in their midst, And they do not of harlotry is in their midst, And they do not know the LORD. know the LORD.


5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; 5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them. their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them. 6 "With their flocks and herds They shall go 6 "With their flocks and herds They shall go to seek the LORD, But they will not find to seek the LORD, But they will not find Him; Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.He has withdrawn Himself from them.

It is very difficult to break away from sin It is very difficult to break away from sin when pride prevails.when pride prevails.


5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; 5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them. their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them. 6 "With their flocks and herds They shall go 6 "With their flocks and herds They shall go to seek the LORD, But they will not find to seek the LORD, But they will not find Him; Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.He has withdrawn Himself from them.

It is very difficult to break away from sin It is very difficult to break away from sin when pride prevails.when pride prevails.


Pride causes blindness and is the worst kind Pride causes blindness and is the worst kind of deception. of deception. (Gal 6:3, 7; Rom 1:21-23)(Gal 6:3, 7; Rom 1:21-23)

Galatians 6:3 Galatians 6:3 3 For if anyone thinks 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.nothing, he deceives himself.

Galatians 6:7 Galatians 6:7 7 Do not be deceived, God 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.that he will also reap.










If you have lived then, they would have If you have lived then, they would have talked about serving Jehovah and that they talked about serving Jehovah and that they were wiser than Judah who stuck to the were wiser than Judah who stuck to the “traditional worship in Jerusalem.” “traditional worship in Jerusalem.”

Proud people do not want to be corrected. Proud people do not want to be corrected. The people of Israel fell in line.The people of Israel fell in line.

They were unstable, only taking brief stands They were unstable, only taking brief stands for what is right. for what is right. (Hosea 6:4-7)(Hosea 6:4-7)










Hosea 6:4-7 Hosea 6:4-7 4 " O Ephraim, what shall I 4 " O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes away. cloud, And like the early dew it goes away. 5 Therefore I have hewn 5 Therefore I have hewn them them by the by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And your judgments My mouth; And your judgments are like are like light light that that goes forth. goes forth.


6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And 6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 7 "But like men they transgressed offerings. 7 "But like men they transgressed the covenant; There they dealt treacherously the covenant; There they dealt treacherously with Me.with Me.

These people were like Judah was in the days These people were like Judah was in the days of Josiah, they could be manipulated by of Josiah, they could be manipulated by circumstances to occasionally do right. circumstances to occasionally do right.


6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And 6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 7 "But like men they transgressed offerings. 7 "But like men they transgressed the covenant; There they dealt treacherously the covenant; There they dealt treacherously with Me.with Me.

These people were like Judah was in the days These people were like Judah was in the days of Josiah, they could be manipulated by of Josiah, they could be manipulated by circumstances to occasionally do right. circumstances to occasionally do right.


How should they have built a foundation How should they have built a foundation that would produce a consistent life? that would produce a consistent life? (Hosea 6:1-3, Mt 7:24-25)(Hosea 6:1-3, Mt 7:24-25)


Hosea 6:1-3 Hosea 6:1-3 Come, and let us return to the Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. 3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of 3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter the latter and and former rain to the earth.former rain to the earth.


Matthew 7:24-25 Matthew 7:24-25 24 " Therefore whoever 24 " Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 "and the rain house on the rock: 25 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.fall, for it was founded on the rock.

Wonderful Lessons About the Love of GodWonderful Lessons About the Love of God

God does not give up on anyone.God does not give up on anyone.


God does not give up on anyone.God does not give up on anyone. Imagine the scene as Hosea redeems Gomer Imagine the scene as Hosea redeems Gomer

from the slave auction block!from the slave auction block!


God does not give up on anyone.God does not give up on anyone. Imagine the scene as Hosea redeems Gomer Imagine the scene as Hosea redeems Gomer

from the slave auction block!from the slave auction block! Does God’s love towards me personally Does God’s love towards me personally

depend on my actions? depend on my actions? (Rom 5:6-10)(Rom 5:6-10)


Romans 5:6-10 Romans 5:6-10 6 For when we were still 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. died for us.


9 Much more then, having now been 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.saved by His life.


How can this knowledge help me turn back How can this knowledge help me turn back to God?to God?


How can this knowledge be perverted to How can this knowledge be perverted to drive me further away from God? drive me further away from God? (Rom 2:3-5)(Rom 2:3-5)


Romans 2:3-5 Romans 2:3-5 3 And do you think this, O 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? you to repentance?


5 But in accordance with your hardness and 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of revelation of the righteous judgment of God,God,


When one understands God’s nature they When one understands God’s nature they come to understand unchangeable, come to understand unchangeable, dependable truths. dependable truths. (Hosea 14:1-3)(Hosea 14:1-3)


Hosea 14:1-3 Hosea 14:1-3 Israel, return to the LORD your Israel, return to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; 2 Take words with you, And return to iniquity; 2 Take words with you, And return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive Receive us us graciously, For we will offer the graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. 3 Assyria shall not save sacrifices of our lips. 3 Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, 'anymore to the work of our hands, 'You are You are our our gods.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy.“gods.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy.“


Some are blessed to finally understand that Some are blessed to finally understand that men and nations will let them down.men and nations will let them down.


Some are blessed to finally understand that Some are blessed to finally understand that men and nations will let them down.men and nations will let them down.

When one finally approaches God with When one finally approaches God with “nothing in my hand” but a plea for His “nothing in my hand” but a plea for His mercy, then God will receive him and bless mercy, then God will receive him and bless him abundantly.him abundantly.


How much have you been forgiven? Do you How much have you been forgiven? Do you see yourselves as Gomer? see yourselves as Gomer? (Lk 7:40-47; 2 Pt 1:9-10)(Lk 7:40-47; 2 Pt 1:9-10)


Luke 7:40-47 Luke 7:40-47 40 And Jesus answered and 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it." 41 "There you." So he said, "Teacher, say it." 41 "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 "And when they had nothing with fifty. 42 "And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"him more?"


43 Simon answered and said, "I suppose the 43 Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one one whom he forgave more." And He said whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged." 44 Then to him, "You have rightly judged." 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped and wiped them them with the hair of her head. with the hair of her head.


45 "You gave Me no kiss, but this woman 45 "You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 "You did not anoint My time I came in. 46 "You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 "Therefore I My feet with fragrant oil. 47 "Therefore I say to you, her sins, say to you, her sins, which are which are many, are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, little is forgiven, the same the same loves little.“loves little.“


2 Peter 1:9-10 2 Peter 1:9-10 9 For he who lacks these 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;will never stumble;


The love of God will be a constant force for The love of God will be a constant force for growth in the restored sinner. growth in the restored sinner. (Hosea 14:4-8)(Hosea 14:4-8)


Hosea 14:4-8 Hosea 14:4-8 4 " I will heal their 4 " I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. 5 I will anger has turned away from him. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread; His Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon. fragrance like Lebanon.


7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall 7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived return; They shall be revived like like grain, grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be shall be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 " Ephraim like the wine of Lebanon. 8 " Ephraim shall say, shall say, 'What have I to do anymore with 'What have I to do anymore with idols?' I have heard and observed him. I idols?' I have heard and observed him. I am am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me.“in Me.“


God’s love changes ones whole life and God’s love changes ones whole life and changes our thinking.changes our thinking.


How does God’s love defeat worldliness? How does God’s love defeat worldliness? (Eph 3:16-19)(Eph 3:16-19)


Ephesians 3:16-19 Ephesians 3:16-19 16 that He would grant 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what to comprehend with all the saints what is is the the width and length and depth and height -- width and length and depth and height --


19 to know the love of Christ which passes 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.the fullness of God.


What a great blessing to finally realize these What a great blessing to finally realize these truths! truths! (Hosea 14:9)(Hosea 14:9)


Hosea 14:9 - Hosea 14:9 - 9 Who 9 Who is is wise? Let him wise? Let him understand these things. understand these things. Who is Who is prudent? prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD LORD are are right; The righteous walk in right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them. them, But transgressors stumble in them.


Later the Gentiles (you and me) would Later the Gentiles (you and me) would ultimately experience the unworthy ultimately experience the unworthy redemption from slavery from sin to redemption from slavery from sin to become the people of God! become the people of God! (Hosea 2:23; Rom 9:24-26)(Hosea 2:23; Rom 9:24-26)


Hosea 2:23 Hosea 2:23 23 Then I will sow her for 23 Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, And I will have mercy Myself in the earth, And I will have mercy on on her who had her who had not obtained mercy; Then I not obtained mercy; Then I will say to will say to those who were those who were not My people, not My people, 'You 'You are are My people!' And they shall say, My people!' And they shall say, ''You are You are my God!' “my God!' “


Romans 9:24-26 Romans 9:24-26 24 24 even even us whom He us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As He says also in Hosea: "I will Gentiles? 25 As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not people, And her beloved, who was not beloved." 26 "And it shall come to pass in the beloved." 26 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, place where it was said to them, 'You are 'You are not not My people,' There they shall be called sons of My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God.“the living God.“


Questions to Consider:Questions to Consider:


Questions to Consider:Questions to Consider: 1. Why did Jeroboam refuse to serve God in 1. Why did Jeroboam refuse to serve God in

the beginning of the Northern Kingdom?the beginning of the Northern Kingdom?



the beginning of the Northern Kingdom?the beginning of the Northern Kingdom? 2. What challenges did a citizen of the 2. What challenges did a citizen of the

Northern kingdom have to overcome to Northern kingdom have to overcome to serve God?serve God?



the beginning of the Northern Kingdom?the beginning of the Northern Kingdom? 2. What challenges did a citizen of the 2. What challenges did a citizen of the

Northern kingdom have to overcome to serve Northern kingdom have to overcome to serve God?God?

3. Why did Hosea’s marriage fail? Why did 3. Why did Hosea’s marriage fail? Why did God have him do this? God have him do this?


4. How far into sin did Gomer go? Did she 4. How far into sin did Gomer go? Did she reach the point of no return? How do you reach the point of no return? How do you know? know?



5. What false notions about God does His 5. What false notions about God does His love dispel?love dispel?



5. What false notions about God does His 5. What false notions about God does His love dispel?love dispel?

6. How does the book of Hosea speak of us 6. How does the book of Hosea speak of us in the NT? How do we know for sure?in the NT? How do we know for sure?

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God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n Those who are the most rebellious often think that God has given up on them