This post by christinecoltman was originally published at GRACE PLACE
‘Do you ever think ‘God’s grace means it doesn’t matter if I sin because God will forgive me anyway?’ I suspect we all think some version of this from time to time… So does sin matter? The answer of Hosea 2 is an emphatic ‘Yes’. For sin is not simply breaking God’s law. It is breaking God’s heart.’ – Tim Chester
Hosea chapter 2 is a beautiful piece of poetry sandwiched in between the bookends of Hosea and Gomer’s personal story in chapter 1 and 3. Here God is speaking directly to Israel, and to us. He is going to tell us how our unfaithful hearts can become those of a beautiful bride. But how does transformation take place?
We are going to learn what it would take to make God’s people see sense. God is going to expose our, and Israel’s hearts, and bare his own. Buckle up.
Part 1 – God holds up a mirror to Israel: verses 2-5
- What had God’s people done? Why did they deserve a rebuke?
- How does Israel feel about God (v5)? How do we often behave in this way?
- How would you describe the emotions of God as he speaks about Israel? Why does he feel this way?
Part 2 – Harsh mercy: verses 6 – 13
- How will God discipline his people?
- What is this discipline intended to achieve? (v7-8)
- Why is it good news that God sometimes disciplines us by removing his blessing from us? What does this allow us to understand?
Part 3 – God bares his own heart: verses 14 – 23
- Who is the active party in bringing about the reconciliation in v14, and how does that make you feel?
- Achor (v15) was a place of terrible judgement (see Joshua Ch 7). It seems a strange reference in this passage about reconciliation. What even more terrible place of wrath and judgement is God calling to mind here, and how was that the only way to reunite God and his people? (John 19 v 28-30)
- What changes did God want to see his people make in response to his love? (v16-17)
- What does this restored marriage look like? (v18)
- In verses 22-23 God refers to the names of Gomer’s three children (see 1 v 4-8 where they were named ‘no mercy’, ‘not loved’ and ‘not mine’). What has now changed? How is this possible?
PRAYER POINTS:
- What does this passage reveal to you about how your own sin affects your relationship with God? Ask him to help you feel deeply the effect of your sin on God’s heart, for his Spirit to draw you deeper into his love for you, and for his grace and strength to turn away from sin.
- Thank God that even when he is most angry with us, his love and power are working side by side to achieve his will – a perfect, loving relationship with us, his spotless bride.
- Praise God that we live in the age of the ‘Doorway of Hope’ (v15), and that God has already opened the way home to him through Jesus. Take time each day to reflect on the perfect peace that awaits us there, in the arms of his love (v18-20).