2. The Old Testament should be studied for the many lessons contained in it. Rom. 15:4 – written for our learning 1 Cor. 10:11-12 – examples for admonition

3. 1. Lack of knowledge 2. Pride 3. Instability 4. Mixing with the world 5. Corruption 6. Backsliding 7. Idolatry

4. Hosea gives us seven things to remember about the nation of Israel. 1. Lack of knowledge – Hosea 4:6 God has always commanded His people to know His law. Deut. 8:1 – remember and observe 2 Tim. 2:15 – rightly dividing God’s word ensures not being ashamed

5. Faithfulness always depends upon knowledge. Whether it is individual faithfulness or the collective faithfulness of the local congregation we must turn to God’s word for knowledge. 2 Peter 1:5-8 – grow in these 2 Peter 3:18 – grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ

6. Why do the denominations flourish; because people are ignorant of the Bible. 1 Tim. 3:15 – the pillar and ground of the truth Eph. 3:10 – make known the manifold wisdom of God

7. 2. Pride – Hosea 5:5 Prov. 29:23 – pride will bring us down  Prov. 11:2, 13:10, 16:18, 18:12, 21:4, 28:25 James 4:6 – God resists the proud Luke 18:9-14 – the pride of the Pharisee

8. 3. Instability – Hosea 6:4 Jer. 2:36 – Why do you gad about…? 1 Cor. 15:58 – be steadfast and immovable Eph. 3:16-17 – strengthened, rooted, and grounded Heb. 13:9 – do not be carried away… James 1:6-8 – the doubter is like a driven wave, unstable

9. 4. Mixing with the world – Hosea 7:8 Ex. 23:31-33; Lev. 20:22-26 – be separate from the nations Deut. 6:4-5; Matt. 22:37 – O.T. or N.T. you shall love the Lord your God…

10. 4. Mixing with the world – Hosea 7:8 Matt. 6:24 – cannot serve two masters 2 Cor. 6:14, 17-18 – do not be unequally yoked, come out from among them 1 Cor. 5:10 – we cannot go out of this world

11. 5. Corruption – Hosea 9:9 Rom. 1:18-32 – man gave up the knowledge of God Matt. 23:2-3 – say but do not do Matt. 23:25-28 – full of hypocrisy and lawlessness 2 Peter 2:20-22 – return to the corruption of the world

12. 6. Backsliding – Hosea 11:7 Hand in hand with corruption is backsliding Gal. 4:9 – return to the weak elements Heb. 10:36-39 – live by faith or draw back? 2 Peter 3:17 – led away with error Heb. 6:4-6 – crucify Jesus again and again

13. 7. Idolatry – Hosea 13:2 Isaiah 44:9-20, 46:1-7 – the futility of idols Eph. 5:5 – the covetous man is an idolater Col. 3:5 – covetousness is idolatry Matt. 6:33 – serve God first

14. 1. Lack of knowledge 2. Pride 3. Instability 4. Mixing with the world 5. Corruption 6. Backsliding 7. Idolatry Each of these points that Hosea makes to Israel all seem to hinge back on the same thing: My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.

15. As it happened to Israel it can happen to us if we too,  stop seeking knowledge,  reject revealed knowledge, and  accept the lies of man.