For centuries, Biblical scholars have been awed by the brash words of Hosea. I find the prophetic book's language pivotal to expressing the stark contrast between God and man and admire its emphasis because it correspondingly articulates the Purity of God.
Hosea and Gomer - Judah Smith Sermon Jam
Theme Trace Essay – Hosea
Since the first revelation of the One True God to mankind, the LORD has shown Himself in ways that most appropriately fit a situation or person. Through testimonies of the patriarchs and prophets, YAHWEH allowed Himself to be perceived in His many facets. This method gradually continues teaching humanity about who He is, because no one human can absorb in their finite, created being, the magnitude of the Uncreated One. In Hosea, God uses some of the most raw and ugly terminology to contrast the fallen nature of man with the Faithfulness and Purity that He possesses and desires, in all of His Goodness, to share with humanity.
As the monologue progresses, the foul words “play the whore1” have the ability to affect the reader like daggers. Whoredom2. Incessant adultery3. But the heartbreak is by no means solely inflicted on the one accused. God is presenting Himself before a people whom He cherishes, depicting the pain that would unveil His Righteous Jealousy before their eyes. Disgrace. Outrage of a husband whose wife is living in open shame chasing after other “lovers4.” But He is not given over to recklessness, for He is “God and not a man5.” His discipline is severe, and yet, done with His heart of tenderness. “Now I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one shall rescue her out of my hand6.” Even in Israel's blatant disregard, God shows His undefiled love for her by allowing her to plummet to the depths of her pleasure, seeking and rescuing her at just the right time.
Specific conditions would need to fall into place for Israel to engage with YAHWEH in a relationship of a new degree. They had grown to cherish the traditions He had blessed them with when He set their nation apart, but they had corrupted7 their offerings and sacrifices so that He was no longer honored. The LORD knew that Israel would need to experience grief of infidelity to understand the weight of their actions. After violating the covenant agreement, Israel rightfully received the curses8 of which they had been warned in the Mosaic Covenant. Now, during their exile to Assyria, they would be deemed unclean. “What will you do on the day of the appointed festival, and on the day of the feast of the LORD?9” Not only would Israel be subjected to the notorious oppression of Assyrians, the superpower of the ancient near east, but they would be unable to make atonement10 for their sins.
This judgment brought to them by their God was done so for righteousness’ sake, and because “[t]heir heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and destroy their pillars.11” Yet, even during this time of consequence, the LORD never loses sight of His beloved, and those contrasting emotional words continue to sever the heart, “How can I give you up? …My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.12” For YAHWEH is the one true God, and He is the only Savior13 of His beloved, of Israel, and of all mankind- though, at times, the only way He can convince us of it is when we are allured to the wilderness14 and our immoral betrayals are acknowledged in their rawest form.
In magnificent kindness, this Holy God made a way to transform of a “Valley of Trouble” to “a door of hope.15” Pursuit of the most undeserving, He is relentless in His love. “And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.16” He loves humanity so much that He wants what is best for us, and what is best for us is Him.
Footnotes:
1 Hosea 2:5; 3:3; 4:10, 12, 13, 14, 15; 5:3; 9:1
2 Hosea 1:2; 2:4; 4:11, 12; 5:4; 6:10
3 Hosea 2:2; 4:2, 13, 4:14
4 Hosea 2:5, 7, 10, 12, 13; 8:9
5 Hosea 11:9
6 Hosea 2:10
7 Hos 2:8, 13, 16, 17; 4:17; 8:4l 10:6; 11:2; 13:1, 2; 14:8
8 Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 4; 28-32
9 Hosea 9:5
10 Hosea 9:3-4
11 Hosea 10:2
12 Hosea 11:8
13 Hosea 13:4
14 Hos 2:3, 2:14; 13:5, 15
15 Hosea 2:15
16 Hosea 2:19-20
Hosea and Gomer - Judah Smith Sermon Jam
Theme Trace Essay – Hosea
Since the first revelation of the One True God to mankind, the LORD has shown Himself in ways that most appropriately fit a situation or person. Through testimonies of the patriarchs and prophets, YAHWEH allowed Himself to be perceived in His many facets. This method gradually continues teaching humanity about who He is, because no one human can absorb in their finite, created being, the magnitude of the Uncreated One. In Hosea, God uses some of the most raw and ugly terminology to contrast the fallen nature of man with the Faithfulness and Purity that He possesses and desires, in all of His Goodness, to share with humanity.
As the monologue progresses, the foul words “play the whore1” have the ability to affect the reader like daggers. Whoredom2. Incessant adultery3. But the heartbreak is by no means solely inflicted on the one accused. God is presenting Himself before a people whom He cherishes, depicting the pain that would unveil His Righteous Jealousy before their eyes. Disgrace. Outrage of a husband whose wife is living in open shame chasing after other “lovers4.” But He is not given over to recklessness, for He is “God and not a man5.” His discipline is severe, and yet, done with His heart of tenderness. “Now I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one shall rescue her out of my hand6.” Even in Israel's blatant disregard, God shows His undefiled love for her by allowing her to plummet to the depths of her pleasure, seeking and rescuing her at just the right time.
Specific conditions would need to fall into place for Israel to engage with YAHWEH in a relationship of a new degree. They had grown to cherish the traditions He had blessed them with when He set their nation apart, but they had corrupted7 their offerings and sacrifices so that He was no longer honored. The LORD knew that Israel would need to experience grief of infidelity to understand the weight of their actions. After violating the covenant agreement, Israel rightfully received the curses8 of which they had been warned in the Mosaic Covenant. Now, during their exile to Assyria, they would be deemed unclean. “What will you do on the day of the appointed festival, and on the day of the feast of the LORD?9” Not only would Israel be subjected to the notorious oppression of Assyrians, the superpower of the ancient near east, but they would be unable to make atonement10 for their sins.
This judgment brought to them by their God was done so for righteousness’ sake, and because “[t]heir heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and destroy their pillars.11” Yet, even during this time of consequence, the LORD never loses sight of His beloved, and those contrasting emotional words continue to sever the heart, “How can I give you up? …My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.12” For YAHWEH is the one true God, and He is the only Savior13 of His beloved, of Israel, and of all mankind- though, at times, the only way He can convince us of it is when we are allured to the wilderness14 and our immoral betrayals are acknowledged in their rawest form.
In magnificent kindness, this Holy God made a way to transform of a “Valley of Trouble” to “a door of hope.15” Pursuit of the most undeserving, He is relentless in His love. “And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.16” He loves humanity so much that He wants what is best for us, and what is best for us is Him.
Footnotes:
1 Hosea 2:5; 3:3; 4:10, 12, 13, 14, 15; 5:3; 9:1
2 Hosea 1:2; 2:4; 4:11, 12; 5:4; 6:10
3 Hosea 2:2; 4:2, 13, 4:14
4 Hosea 2:5, 7, 10, 12, 13; 8:9
5 Hosea 11:9
6 Hosea 2:10
7 Hos 2:8, 13, 16, 17; 4:17; 8:4l 10:6; 11:2; 13:1, 2; 14:8
8 Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 4; 28-32
9 Hosea 9:5
10 Hosea 9:3-4
11 Hosea 10:2
12 Hosea 11:8
13 Hosea 13:4
14 Hos 2:3, 2:14; 13:5, 15
15 Hosea 2:15
16 Hosea 2:19-20
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