This post by christinecoltman was originally published at GRACE PLACE
A Jealous Love – Hosea 8-10 (Read this passage ahead of your study buddy time)
So far in our studies in Hosea, we have seen how Hosea’s marriage to the prostitute Gomer was a living picture of God’s relationship with His people, Israel. Although they had committed spiritual adultery, he would buy them back, just as Hosea bought back Gomer after her unfaithfulness to him. The central picture of this book is that of an unfaithful bride and a faithful bridegroom; God longs for their relationship to be a success… He is jealous for his people, longing for their hearts to be His and only His. However, in the past two sessions we have seen how Israel spurned God’s love, breaking that relationship by turning to idolatry and immorality. In chapter 7, God rejected Israel’s superficial repentance; He saw through the facade of their religion and piety, and mourned their lack of heart change. Now we will see the dire consequences of sin; as “they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind” (8:7).
Read Hosea chapter 8.
- The two images of a trumpet and a vulture/eagle are seen in 8:1. What do these represent?
- Israel’s response in verse 2 indicates they think they are safe from God’s judgement. What are some of the reasons they think they are ok? Read 8:11-13. What are some of the ways we might do this too?
- This passage also shows how God demonstrates the justice of His coming judgement (the “whirlwind” consequences spoken of in v7). In “sowing the wind”, Israel had gone after worthless things. Look through this chapter again to find and list the reasons that show His judgement of the Israelites was fair and just. What had they done?
- Our hearts can also trust in things that we look to for security and satisfaction, apart from the LORD. How do you see people around you “sow the wind” today? What can you identify in your own heart, even the good things, that have become idols?
- Read Hosea’s revelation of what will happen to the Israelites in Hosea 10:5-8, 13-15. (You can study this further in your own time by reading the account in 2 Kings 17:1-14). How should God’s people have responded to the warnings of impending judgement? (See v12) What did they do instead? (See v13)
In Hosea 10:12 we hear Hosea urging the people to repentance again; this is the nature of the Father-heart of our loving God. He longs for His children to listen because He desperately loves them! It is like how we warn our children about the danger of not checking before crossing the road; we do this out of loving kindness, as the consequences of not listening would be terrible. Sadly we see how although God kept his part of the covenant, His people did not and they continued to put their fingers in their ears.
- In 10:8 Hosea was saying God’s people would cry out, such would be the terrible consequences of ignoring God’s repeated warnings. Read Luke 23:26-34 and Revelation 6:12-17. Note the similarities between a) the judgement of the Israelites in the time of Hosea and b) Jesus’ prediction of the impending fall of Jerusalem to the Romans, and how these point to c) the final judgement of mankind at the end of time, but this time with eternal consequences. How does knowing the Father-heart of God help you relate to Him as you read about judgement? How does it affect how you interact with the world around you and speak to others about Jesus?
- How does having the correct view of God’s righteous judgement affect how we feel about the forgiveness that is ours in Jesus? Read Luke 23:34 again, and Colossians 2:13-14. Marvel at this forgiveness and the amazing exchange of our sin for Christ’s righteousness when we come to Him with repentant hearts.
PRAY
Thank God for the gift of His son Jesus. Thank Him that you no longer need to fear his judgment because of the forgiveness offered at the cross. Being forgiven is not just something you understand with your mind, but with the Holy Spirit’s help, it changes your heart and how you feel. Come before our loving Father with the deep humility that your sin deserves, but also with joy and gratitude as you grasp the wonder of His undeserved mercy and forgiveness. Pray that you will be able to share this gospel message of Good News with those around you.