One day … God will set, as NT Wright loves to say, “the world to rights.” This passage speaks of that most glorious day! Interestingly, we actually know a bit about that day. Has that “day” been fully realized. No. But in the coming of Jesus, we have a foretaste of that day! It is in a sense both now and not yet.
Only One God is awesome. It is not insignificant that the sermon title has a little “g” god in it. The people of Israel had come to believe other gods were awesome, rather than the One true God. The truth is, though, people today (even church folk) have a tendency to love people or things more than God. This misplaced love is consistently referred to in scripture as idolatry. But these false gods fail. Only Jesus, the One true God, is worthy of our deepest devotion. In the message I will be unpacking the ways idolatry fails, but also reminding folks that forgiveness is still offered to idolators.
Last week’s passage made clear that judgment is coming for the Israelite people. God has said so, and what He says will be so. But God continued to talk through Hosea, and what He says in Hosea 1:10-2:1 brings HOPE, even in the midst of impending judgment. So, based on what is said here, we can be hopeful in a number of ways. Namely, that God will keep His words of promise as much He keeps His words of judgment; that judgment can be reversed; and that He has a good plan for His people.
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.
This week we introduce the series on Hosea. It’s not primarily the prophets who speak but God. This book is not just for the Israelites but us as well.