In this passage as we might expect, the Israelites have returned not to God but to their rebellion. Their sin is ubiquitous in these 2 chapters. And, as is always the case, sin has consequences. This portion of Hosea shows what sin leads people away from. It is wonderfully glorious and gracious that after all the Israelites have done to turn away from God, He still longs to shower them with righteousness.
Whereas God’s love was front and center last week, humanity’s sin comes to the front this week. Yet, as is always the case, God’s enduring love never moves from the center. God is always clear about the depth of our depravity. While this reality is bad, such bad news is no match for the Good News!
God’s love flows throughout this passage! But this chapter is honest about the brokenness of the ones (Israel in the immediate context and all people by extension) God loves. Even though humanity’s sin is great, His love is greater! It is helpful as well to recognize that there are aspects of His love in this chapter that are not often emphasized when we talk about God’s love.
When God calls on/commands Hosea to marry “a promiscuous woman” this marriage is a literal relationship as well as figurative for the relationship God has with His people. He is a faithful “husband,” whereas His people are the unfaithful “wife” going after other “lovers.” But this story can (and should!) reorient us toward better understanding who we are as His people (His bride) and what our idolatry really is (whoring after other lovers). This is strong but biblical language for idolatry.
We are powerless to free ourselves from sin and death, but God graciously frees us from impossible situations. In watching Moses get drawn out of the water by the daughter of Pharaoh, we are beautifully reminded that God desires to draw us out of sin. In this message, we will look at the extent and power of sin in our lives and how it leads to death. With this we will find the passionate grace of God through his son, Jesus, in which he seeks to draw us out of the impossible situation of sin and into a new life and relationship with God.
Sometimes a moment changes everything. This week we look at two of the most significant things that have ever occurred and continue to shape our world.
Bad people, good people, and religious people all need the gospel for a common reason.
This week we will begin the second chapter of Ephesians by examining the lowly state of our lives in sin so that we might also see more fully what Jesus has done for us.