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Chapter 8-Israel’s Rebellion

America Israel had usurped God’s sovereign authority to lead the nation, worshipped idols, depended on foreign treaties rather than God, adopted foreign systems of worship, America Israel disregarded God’s Law.

As much as we can look at this and think: “Why would they think this would bring a “better” life…

I am sure ancient Israelites would say the same thing about the things we use in place of God.

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Chapter 9- This is a cool chapter.  v 1-9 ends with how the prophets’ words are considered “foolish”.  Then starting in verse 10 Hosea compares two examples of sins with the present situation in Israel.

Example 1:

“When I found Israel,
    it was like finding grapes in the desert;
when I saw your ancestors,
    it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.
But when they came to Baal Peor,
    they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol
    and became as vile as the thing they loved.

Back in Numbers 25,  as the Hebrews entered the Promised land, they were instructed for MONTHS to set themselves apart and worship the Lord ONLY.  I don’t know if you remember Balaam: he was supposed to curse the Israelites but couldn’t, well plan B was to entice them to “fall” through “a man’s favorite hobby”. (Not eating…the other one 😉)

Numbers 25- While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, ² who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. ³ So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the Lord’s anger burned against them. ⁴ The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”

Example 2:“Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal,
    I hated them there.
Because of their sinful deeds,
    I will drive them out of my house.
I will no longer love them;
    all their leaders are rebellious.

Gilgal was the beginning of their new life when they entered by Jericho.  It was where the first Passover was celebrated. Since the day they stepped into the land their sinful deeds began.

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Ch.10- they have “No King”- what a punch in the stomach.  God warned them when they asked for an earthly king, He said earthly kings will disappoint. He reminded them: “I AM YOUR KING”.  And they said “no thanks”.  Well, now look at where they are in History!! They have neither a king nor The King of Kings! 😢

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Chapter 11 begins this with a really cool vision of how God Loves Israel like a child.  Deeply!

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.
² But the more they were called,
    the more they went away from me….

 

⁴ I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
    a little child to the cheek,
    and I bent down to feed them.

So when did all this deception from the Hebrews begin? Chapter 12 reminds us it began in the womb.

The Lord has a charge to bring against Judah;
    he will punish Jacob according to his ways
    and repay him according to his deeds.
³ In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel;
    as a man he struggled with God.
⁴ He struggled with the angel and overcame him;
    he wept and begged for his favor.

God reminds them:  I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO WARN YOU!!! I EVEN SENT PROPHETS!

10: I spoke to the prophets,
    gave them many visions
    and told parables through them.”

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Oh my Stars!!!!  If you read nothing else, read this- This about sums up our 7 month read!!  So if you are behind, read this…consider yourself caught up!!

⁴ “But I have been the Lord your God
    ever since you came out of Egypt.
You shall acknowledge no God but me,
    no Savior except me.
⁵ I cared for you in the wilderness,
    in the land of burning heat.
⁶ When I fed them, they were satisfied;
    when they were satisfied, they became proud;
    then they forgot me.

The rest of Chapter 13 reveals his discipline because he LOVES

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Finally: Chapter 14:

Take words with you
and return to the Lord.
Say to him:
“Forgive all our sins
and receive us graciously,
that we may offer the fruit of our lips.

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⁹ Who is wise? Let them realize these things.
    Who is discerning? Let them understand.
The ways of the Lord are right;
    the righteous walk in them,
    but the rebellious stumble in them.

• Click here to read
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• I posted an overview LATE last night.  It is worth reading.
• This is 7 chapters:  BUT it is a 15-minute read.  So make some coffee. So I will try to keep this really short and ONLY point out the stuff that maybe wasn’t clear.

Chapter 1:

⁴ Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. ⁵ In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.”

(In the Valley of Jezreel Jehu killed Ahab’s family in a killing spree.  God said he would punish the Israel dynasty for their over-zealousness.  (is that a word, well you know what I mean).  (2 Kings 10)

¹¹ The people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.

Think of it like a split-screen newscast.  The same message twisted a few different says.  Jezreel means “to scatter”.  After the captivity, we know a remnant will come back to build the Temple (Reunited)….but no one ever asked me where the rest of them go???  Well, they scatter ALL around the Mediterranea Sea.  (God will use this in a mighty way…think how far Paul had to travel to deliver his letters to scatter the Gospel).

We too are scattered,  however,  we have been reunited through the life and death of Christ.

And the 3rd screen is the reuniting of HIS people through the 2nd coming.

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Chapter 2-This is a beautifully written story about Hosea and Gomer.  How Gomer will go looking for something better but does not find it. When Gomer realizes the grass wasn’t greener on the other side and tries to come back…that is when a person is teachable!  God will restore the relationship with His people.

She will chase after her lovers but not catch them;
    she will look for them but not find them.
Then she will say,
    ‘I will go back to my husband as at first,
    for then I was better off than now.’
⁸ She has not acknowledged that I was the one
    who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil,
who lavished on her the silver and gold—
    which they used for Baal.

Israel wants to come back but will not acknowledge at Lord has provided for them.  They still rely on themselves, or treaties, or horses, and chariots…you get my point.😢

So God basically puts them in “Time Out” and takes away all their video games to show them that He was the buyer the whole time.  (He ALLOWS them be captured by another nation)  I think of it this way:  He took his hand of protection OFF of them.  Kind of like letting “natural consequences” happen to our children, so you can say “I told you so”.  😂😂😂

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Chapter 3- LOVE!  HE BUYS THEM BACK!  He pays a price for HIS people.

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Chapters 4-7 Are the charges against Israel-we have been reading for months and we will be able to put this in historical context.  We have seen the “cycle” of sin, and when His people return to him they never truly “go back”.  These chapters will reveal the unfaithfulness of Gomer (HIS people) and the discipline (the captivity) that is coming.  Why?? So we they will return to HIM.  While you are reading this don’t miss the “inside message” that we are HIS priesthood.

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

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Note: Chapter 6 verse 2

² After two days he will revive us;
    on the third day he will restore us,
    that we may live in his presence.
³ Let us acknowledge the Lord;
    let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
    he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
    like the spring rains that water the earth.”

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