There are few things more refreshing than beginning a new Bible study. Whether you're new to the blog or you've followed since it's inception, you belong here. Be sure you’re following along on Instagram and Facebook for ongoing encouragement.
Now, onto the introduction [drum roll, please] of Hosea. All that we know of Hosea is in this book. There's no other mention of his name in scripture. While you may not be familiar with Hosea, he had a few contemporaries during this period: Micah, Amos, and Isaiah. It's like they were brothers in Christ, but not in the same region. They all were proclaiming the Word of the Lord and urging the Hebrew people to turn back to God.
There were two kingdoms during this time: the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). Hosea was part of the northern kingdom, also called "Ephraim" in this book. Jeroboam was king, and he wasn't a stellar one. The period in which Hosea ministered was the most turbulent and trying time in the history of Israel, before captivity (when Nebacchadnezzar comes in, and most folks are hauled off to Babylon).
Hosea's primary concern was simple: the people were worshipping idols (Baal, in particular). The Israelites were an agrarian society, which means rainfall, fertility, and productivity was essential for livelihood. Baal was the weather-god worshiped in this particular region and was of unrivaled importance.
Shrines were common, and Baalism focused on human sexuality. Therefore, to "worship" Baal, sexual acts or ritual prostitution was said to "appeal" to this false god; and, the god's "response" was to provide fertile seed and rain for a good crop.
I know this sounds ridiculous when you read it. We must remember that what is physical in the Old Testament is spiritual in the New Testament. Acts of drunkenness, human sacrifice, mutilations, incest, and prostitution may seem outlandish as we read it. However, is there not plenty of intoxication in 2019? There are countless abortions, a form of human sacrifice, too. Cutting, suicide rates, human trafficking, and the like are not far behind. It's a dark place now, just as it was in Hosea's time.
All we've done with sin is re-label it.
Hosea's perspective (which is congruent with scripture throughout the Bible) is that we are the Bride of Christ. We have union with Him and spiritually unite with Him when we choose to believe.
"I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him." 2 Corinthians 11:2
The Israelites were God's people (His bride), yet they were linking themselves to Baal. Following Baal would be breaking the first of the Ten Commandments. Also, it’s linked to adultery, which would be breaking the seventh of the Ten Commandments. They’re on a roll.
You, too, are an adulterer. That feels harsh. It's essential to name the sin in your life. We can try to soften the language, but when we label the sin, God can redeem it. Before we get too self-righteous, remember that the reason we can name other people's sin is that it is familiar to us. Let that simmer for a moment.
It’s essential to name the sin in your life.
The role of the prophet Hosea was to proclaim the Lord's coming judgments "with a litany of offenses that amount to the radical ingratitude of a wayward wife" (ESV Study Bible).
Hosea's approach to proclaiming the Lord's coming judgments may seem a bit odd. Taking a spouse you know to be unfaithful would set you up for heartbreak. However, God uses many unusual acts to display His unusual (supernatural) love.
You may be familiar with the prophet Jeremiah. He seemed a bit peculiar in his deeds. As "action sermons," he dressed like a prisoner of war for three years, wore a wooden yoke, and an iron one to shake the Israelites to repentance (Wiersbe). There was also Ezekiel. He "played war," ate prisoner's rations, and cooked over a dung fire. So weird, yet, so needed.
The Hebrew people were dumb, blind, and numb. Often, God can use the most outlandish situations, people, and circumstances to awaken us. Jeremiah and Ezekial's experience was in the nation, but Hosea's experience was in the home.
How's "home" for you in this season? I don't mean if you're all decorated for the holidays or how you'd like to change the paint color of your bedroom. I want you to get real with yourself and ask how your home life looks right now.
We're not going to play the "shame game." If your home life (literal or in your heart) is less than godly, then you are where you need to be: in God's Word. Maybe you can't remember the last time you felt loved. Perhaps you don't even know how Godly love feels. Or, there's an onslaught of busyness, and you're overwhelmed just thinking about how to overcome the chaos.
Beloved, you're right where you need to be. Welcome to the book of Hosea. This book is an action sermon of covenantal relationship, warning, and redeeming love. This book is for the unfaithful, the wayward, and the hurting. It is a poem for me. It is a sacred writing for you. And, we're going to name our sin and then look into the face of Jesus. Together.
I don't know about you, but I refuse to be wayward any longer.
We're going to name our sin and then look into the face of Jesus.