HOSEA - CHAPTER THREE
I’d been divorced for a while when a very nice man asked me out. He wasn’t looking for an occasional dinner companion. He wanted a relationship. A relationship that could lead to a marriage. He was a great guy, but I wasn’t sure, so I took the question to the Lord.
“What do you want me to do?”
The Still, Small Voice in my heart was clear. “You can have it if you want, but I have something different in mind for you.”
I assumed it was something better. Easier. More lovely in some way. I imagined the “something different” God had planned for me, and the picture in my head was so beautiful. And so easy.
What I expected was nothing at all like what God had in mind. He’s like that sometimes. He offers a path and we step out in faith, not quite realizing we’re on a hard road of agonizing obedience.
A long time went by before that “something different” began to unfold. I didn’t even recognize it at first, but, when the time to make a choice came, I chose the path of uncertainty. I chose the path I believed (and still do) that God had promised years before, even though I knew there was a good chance that it might not be an easy, or lovely, path. I chose the path of obedience.
It didn’t turn out like I expected, and it was anything but lovely.
There was some joy. I don't mean to imply that there wasn't, but it wasn't easy. My hard road was marked with more pain than I could have anticipated, but God walked every step with me. He carried me when it was too hard to go on. He sent people to help when I couldn’t do what needed to be done for myself. He made a way through.
It was worth it.
Through the hard years that followed, I learned something I didn’t anticipate. I learned more than I wanted to know about how my own unfaithfulness to God, how my sin brought such sorrow to Him. In seeing my own sin, I found it harder to condemn the one who had hurt me. I wanted the fullness of forgiveness, and that required a willingness to forgive. Even when I wasn’t sure I wanted to forgive.
God hates our sin. It breaks His heart. He can see the destruction that will result from our unfaithfulness, but He doesn’t stop us. He lets us go and go and go, until we tire of the going.
It’s when we turn back, broken and wounded, that the real relationship can begin. Only when we are done with the world can we fully embrace all God has for us.
I’m sorry for the pain my Hosea road brought into the lives of those who love me and watched me suffer. I’m sorry for the hurt it caused my son. With that said, I don’t regret my own experience. I don’t regret the pain because of what I learned. I don’t regret the broken dreams because of the new dreams God gave me. I don’t regret the loss because of the intimacy I gained.
He offered what turned out to be the road of pain, and I took it, and it was worth it.
I know a little about how Hosea might have felt when the Lord said the words he likely never wanted to hear again. “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress…” Hosea 3:1 nasb
Gomer had been gone again for a while. He and the children had probably settled into a comfortable routine. They were used to life without her. Loving her again meant bringing her disruptive presence into their reordered lives. It meant risking pain for himself and for the children. It meant fresh wounds atop the ones that had finally begun to heal.
If I had been Hosea, I’d have argued a bit and cried a few buckets of tears, but Hosea was made of stronger stuff.
God said go, and Hosea went.
Prayer Pause:
Obedience to God's commands sometimes works out in a glorious kind of way. A way even the world can recognize and admire. There are times, however, as Hosea learned, when faithful obedience leads to a result that is anything but glorious. Let's pause for a moment and ask God to give us a heart to obey Him, no matter what. Let's commit ourselves to consistent and unreserved obedience.
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Prayer Pause:
Obedience to God's commands sometimes works out in a glorious kind of way. A way even the world can recognize and admire. There are times, however, as Hosea learned, when faithful obedience leads to a result that is anything but glorious. Let's pause for a moment and ask God to give us a heart to obey Him, no matter what. Let's commit ourselves to consistent and unreserved obedience.
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Let’s head back to the Blue Letter Bible and look at the Hebrew word used here.
Click on the word for “go” (halak) and refresh your memory about its meaning. This is the same word used in Hosea 1:2 for “go”.
The next word is significant. Click on Strong’s H5750, the word for “again” and read through the entry.
1) Do you see how it’s used to indicate continuance?
2) What does this mean for Hosea?
3) What does this mean for us personally in regard to loving the unlovely?
Hosea is to love Gomer again and to continuously love her.
4) How would you feel if God asked you to love like this?
5) How has God asked you to love in this way?
Now, look at the word for “loved”. H157 Every time “love” is used in this verse, the same word is used.
6) Click on the Strong’s reference and find out what it means.
7) What does the word ’ahab mean in each of these three instances?
8) How has Israel perverted the love due to God?
1) “love a woman”
2) “Lord loves the sons of Israel”
3) they “love raisin cakes”
This is a power-packed sentence, so let’s be sure we get the truth hidden here. God asked Hosea to demonstrate to Gomer the same love God has for Israel, even though Israel had taken that love and squandered it on pleasure and sensual delight.
Raisin cakes were tasty. In a sense, they were holiday food. David handed them out to the people in celebration of the ark’s return. (See 2 Samuel 6:19.) Some commentators suggest that raisin cakes were used as an offering to idols, and that’s likely true. In this verse, however, I believe the reference indicates a physical pleasure.
So, Israel had taken the love meant for God and redirected that love to their own desires.
9) How have we “loved raisin cakes” in this country?
10) How have we/you done this personally?
Look at the word translated as “husband” (Strong’s H7453).
11) How is it more often used?
This word likely indicates that Gomer has progressed from harlotry (immorality for money and material possessions) to a relationship in which she had lived in a more permanent way. The next few verses suggest that she is, in a sense, enslaved in the relationship.
This is not a one-night-stand relationship. That might have been easier to bring to an end. This relationship in which Gomer is currently involved is ongoing. There are likely both emotional and economic ties, as well as the physical ties. She is, at the least, habituated to the relationship.
12) How have we tied ourselves to the immorality of this world?
13) How have we served as the concubines of the world?
14) In what ways are we/you “habituated” to the pleasures of this world?
When we tie ourselves to the things of this world, those ties are not easily broken, as Hosea soon learned. The man with whom Gomer was living would not easily release her. She was valuable enough to him that he required payment from Hosea for her return.
15) Look at Exodus 21:32 and Leviticus 27:4. What was the Mosaic value for a female slave?
It appears that Hosea bartered for Gomer, suggesting that he did not have the full purchase price in silver.
16) What price did he pay for Gomer?
I’ve often wondered how Gomer felt. She was where she wanted to be, with the man she thought she wanted. She clearly thought he wanted her, too. However, when he had the chance to exchange her for money and barley, the man took it, and sold her to her husband, Hosea.
Let’s talk for a moment about the price God paid to redeem us from our sin.
17) What price did He pay?
Prayer Pause:
There is no one so good that I would give my son to redeem them. There are few so precious to me that I would give my life for them. But God did. He looked at our pitiful plight, all a result of our sin-riddled lives, and decided to do the only thing that would help. He gave Himself. He gave His Son.
Take a few moments to ponder the powerful gift that only God could give and spend some time thanking Him.
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Hosea 3:3 is a powerful verse that hides great meaning in a few words. It might seem, at first glance, that Hosea took Gomer back grudgingly. He would “love” her in name only, but not in the physical sense.
His treatment of Gomer is not an act of unwilling obedience at all. Hosea’s decision not to have intimate relations with her likely refers to a passage in Deuteronomy 21:10-14.
18) What are the circumstances under which the man took a wife in that passage?
19) How does Hosea’s “taking” of Gomer correspond to the taking of a battle captive?
20) How did his treatment of Gomer correspond to the treatment described in Deuteronomy 21?
As the bride of Christ, we, too, have been rescued from the enemy of God. A battle raged for our deliverance, and only the blood of Jesus could accomplish it. We, too, look forward to a time of complete unity with our Husband-Maker. In eternity, we will see Him face to face and celebrate the Marriage Feast of the Lamb and His bride. (Revelation 19:9) Until then, we are, in a way, like the conquered wife-to-be. Becoming accustomed to life in the kingdom of God and waiting until that glorious day in heaven when our union will our King will be complete.
Before we return to Hosea, let’s look a little closer at Deuteronomy 21:14. If the husband is not pleased with her, then he can let her go. I read that verse and cringed.
The word translated as “let her go” is shalach and, in this instance, means “divorce”. It’s a hard word to me, but the rest of the verse softens it a bit.
Go to Blue Letter Bible (here’s the link I used: https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/deu/21/14/t_conc_174014) and look at the words translated as sell and mistreat. Follow the Gesenius’ Lexicon to the end to find what the word mistreat means in this verse.
21) What is the mistreatment that is to be avoided?
In ancient times, according to McArthur Bible Commentary, when an enemy was defeated, the women were often taken by the victors as servants. If a man desired a woman among the captives, he could take her home as his wife, but he could not consummate the marriage immediately.
The women would be given the usual mourning period observed by the Jews (one month) to accustom themselves to their new situation. If the man still desired her at the end of the mourning period, he could marry her. If he eventually decided he wasn’t pleased with her, he could divorce her so that she could marry again. He could neither change her status to that of a slave nor sell her as a slave.
Before that could happen, however, the man was to obey Deuteronomy 24:5.
22) How was a man to treat his new wife?
23) If a man dedicates himself to giving happiness to his new wife for a full year, how likely is it that he will be displeased with her at the end of that period?
Hosea’s words to Gomer seem a little harsh. You will stay with me. You will not have intimate relations with any man. Not with me. Not with your lovers. Not with your partners of harlotry.
There is the implication that Hosea will restrict Gomer’s activity in some way, much as the “hedge of thorns” from Hosea 2:6.
The time period is ill-defined. Many “days” can mean literal days or years. Some commentators interpret it to mean “indefinitely”. Gomer must now be faithful to Hosea indefinitely. Her days of harlotry have come to end because of the great price than has been paid.
Hosea had purchased Gomer with the price of a slave. She belonged to him, but there is no indication he planned to treat her as a slave. Instead, his goal is clearly a restoration of the covenant relationship, just as God’s goal is with His people.
The discipline that Hosea imposed was not applied because he wanted to be mean to Gomer, nor is the discipline God applies to us.
24) How had God disciplined the children of Israel? Deuteronomy 8:1-5
25) What does 1 Corinthians 11:32 say about the goal of the discipline of God?
26) In what ways have you personally experienced the discipline of God?
27) What was the outcome of that discipline? How did it change you?
28) In what ways might God be disciplining the body of Christ in this nation?
Prayer Pause:
As I think of Hosea’s words to Gomer, I wonder if God has tried to use those words with me. With us. How often has he said, “Leanna, I intend for you to be done with this idolatry of yours”? How often have I ignored His pleadings? How often have we, as a nation, ignored His call?
Repentance is long overdue. For us, individually. For the body of Christ, corporately. Now seems like a very good time to deal with any idolatry that’s untouched by the purifying hand of God.
Let’s pause now and ask God to cleanse us from every trace of idolatry. Ask Him to hem us in if necessary, but to set us free from our addiction to the idols we have craved.
God’s goal for us is not comfort. It’s holiness. Let’s make that our goal, as well.
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Hosea 3:4
In this verse, Hosea begins to explain the living parable of his marriage to Gomer. Just as she has been isolated from intimacy with both her true husband and her adulterous lovers, so Israel will also experience the same kind of isolation.
The word Hosea uses to describe Gomer’s “staying” with him is the same word to use Israel’s “remaining”.
Here’s the Blue Letter Bible link for your review:
The word implies that Israel will not have the instant improvement of a new king. They will be in their “isolated from God” state for a while. That state will not be a figurative state. They don’t know it yet, but they will literally be moved from their present location to a place of exile in Assyria.
Here are two articles about Assyria that contain what might be some surprising information.
29) What modern countries are in the area known as Assyria during Hosea’s time?
30) What is the predominant religion there now?
God never forgets His promises. He always does what He says He will do.
31) Read Genesis 12:3 - How has God fulfilled the last part of that promise, specifically in the area formerly known as Assyria?
Israel will “stay there for many days”, much as when God allured her into the wilderness and planted a vineyard. (Hosea 2:15) This is a reference to the coming exile of Israel. The wording implies it will not be a short exile.
Consider the situation for a moment. Isaiah was a contemporary of Hosea. Isaiah’s ministry lasted until 622 BC. He prophesied about the coming Messiah, but six centuries went by before His appearing. During the time of Hosea, there was no sign of the promised Messiah.
The children of Israel were accustomed to waiting for God to move. There was, however, no guarantee of delay. When Hosea presented his living tableau of idolatry and judgment, then clarified his prophecy by declaring the same thing would happen to Israel, they probably expected delay (if they expected God to move at all). Consider their surprise when God did exactly what He said He would do. Just as He always does.
Hosea ministered and prophesied to the Northern Kingdom (Israel) from 744-714 BC. They were taken captive by the Assyrian King Shalmaneser V in 722 BC. Exiled in Assyria. Exactly as God, through Hosea, had said.
Judgment had been made.
Disciplined had arrived.
When God sent his people into exile, He removed “king, prince, sacrifice.” Those three words indicate the civil and religious authority and practices to which they were accustomed. In exile, there was no King of Israel. In exile, there was no temple in which they could offer sacrifices for the forgiveness of their many sins.
God's people were much like the body of Christ in our country. We are content to enjoy the things of this world while espousing a deeper faith than we may actually possess. We cannot be a wholehearted follower of Christ if part of our heart remains in love with the world. Jesus made that truth clear, just as Hosea did, centuries before.
God would also remove “sacred pillar, ephod, household gods.”
32) What was the “pillar”?
See:
33) What was the ephod? See Exodus 28:4-12
In this verse, the word “ephod” does not refer to the ephod of God’s priests, but a perversion of the ephod used in idol worship.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H646&t=KJV (Gesenius’ lexicon)
God would not only remove His people from their rituals of intimacy with Him, He would remove their intimacy with the idols of this world, as well.
Believers in many parts of the world are imprisoned or die for their faith on a daily basis.
What they experience is persecution.
I wonder how those believers would view the kind of treatment we commonly consider “persecution of Christians” in this country. We have not yet experienced what they experience, but, based on the current state of the church, there is no reason we should not.
What they experience is persecution.
I wonder how those believers would view the kind of treatment we commonly consider “persecution of Christians” in this country. We have not yet experienced what they experience, but, based on the current state of the church, there is no reason we should not.
34) With that said, consider how the body of Christ would be affected if a Hosea 3:4 discipline were applied to us. How might God remove the things listed in that verse?
35) How does our current culture reflect a Hosea 3:4 kind of discipline?
It is important to remember that the prophecy of Hosea and the discipline described there was NOT directed against the pagan nations from whom they had learned their idolatrous practices. It was not directed against the pagans inside or outside the nation of Israel.
The prophecies and discipline of God described in Hosea were directed toward God’s people.
36) If that is true, and it is, toward whom is God directing judgment and discipline now? Against the pagans of our country or against the church?
37) Whose humility, repentance, and prayer is vital in order for God to heal our land? That of lost people or that of the body of Christ? See 2 Chronicles 7:14
38) What can we do in order to facilitate the healing of our broken nation? (Not a nebulous corporate “we” but you and me)
My pastor recently issued a challenge to our church. Pray for our nation. Not just talk about it, but pray, twice a day, at 7:14 for at least one minute. Many of us (myself included) have set an alarm for 7:14 am and another for 7:14 pm. Those alarms serve as a reminder for us to pray that, as the body of Christ, we would humble ourselves, repent and return to our Lord.
39) If all of us participating in this study were to join together to pray twice a day, in this same manner, what might God do in response?
40) Will you join with us and pray? Will you help turn our nation back to God?
It is foolish to assume lost people can bring our country back to our faith. There is nothing in Scripture on which we can base that assumption. Only people of God can begin that process of healing, and they can only do it with repentance and humility. Let’s be the ones who make the start.
Hosea 3:5
Afterward.
I love that word. I want to tell you what I love about it, but it will mean more to you if you find it for yourself. Go to Blue Letter Bible and look at the last paragraph in the Gesenius’ Lexicon entry. Here’s the link:
41) What is the “afterward” after?
42) What will Israel have left?
Hosea 3:5 uses two action verbs to describe what the sons of Israel will do.
43) What are the two action verbs?
I checked several versions, and all used translated the Hebrew the same way. Return and seek. The two words imply a different kind of action. Return to the Lord is a kind of relinquishing of idolatry and returning to the worship of God, but seeking implies a different level of fervency. The same word translated as seeking is used in several other key verses.
44) What do the following verses say about seeking?:
2 Chronicles 7:14
2 Chronicles 15:4
Hosea 5:15
Hosea 3:5 describes the object of their return and seeking as “the Lord their God and David their king”. At the time of Hosea’s ministry, David had been dead for more than 200 years.
45) To which of David’s descendants does this verse refer?
This verse concludes with a prophecy for “the last days”. To what time period does this refer? We’ve discussed this term before, but you can also look here for a reminder:
46) How will Israel come to the Lord? (With what demeanor?)
Isaiah 2 speaks of this time of seeking the Lord. Read Isaiah 2:1-3
47) Who will come to the Lord?
48) What will they desire from Him?
We come to God for a variety of reasons. I hate to admit it, but, as often as not, we come to God seeking His hand of provision, of blessing, of power. What He most desires is for us to seek His face. To know Him personally. Intimately. As friend with friend.
49) Which will people seek in the end times described in Isaiah 2? (Face or Hands)
Now is the time to spend some time considering our own relationship with the Lord.
50) Ask yourself, do I seek what He can do for me or do I seek intimacy with Him personally?
If you, like many of us, find yourself in the situation of seeking God’s provision rather than His person, perhaps a fast of “asking” is in order. This is a good practice for all of us. For the next twenty-four hours, resolve not to ask God for anything. Instead, honor Him with your praise and thanksgiving. This is harder than you might think, but I challenge you to try it. The practice will change your relationship in ways you might not expect.
We serve a God who loves us and with Whom we will spend eternity. Take some time now to get to know Him a little better.
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The photo above is of modern-day Cana, where Jesus did his first miracle (at the wedding in Cana) turning water into wine. In fact, every marriage is a kind of miracle in which God turns two into one and leaves them both permanently changed.
The photo above is of modern-day Cana, where Jesus did his first miracle (at the wedding in Cana) turning water into wine. In fact, every marriage is a kind of miracle in which God turns two into one and leaves them both permanently changed.
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If you’ve reached this point, you’ve made it more than 20% of the way through. You’ve established some habits. You’ve learned some new study techniques.
I’m proud of you for working so hard and can’t wait to hear what God has taught you, how He has changed you.
Next week, we’ll study Chapter 4 of Hosea. It’s a courtroom scene and God will state His case against His people.
I’m so proud of you, and I’m still praying for you to receive all God intended you to gain through this study. Continue the good work you’ve begun and press on.
#Biblestudy #Hosea #indepthBiblestudy
#Biblestudy #Hosea #indepthBiblestudy
