1. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n Those who are the most rebellious often think that God has given up on them.

2. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n Those who are the most rebellious often think that God has given up on them. n It is actually people from this background that often make changes!

3. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n Those who are the most rebellious often think that God has given up on them. n It is actually people from this background that often make changes! n Sadly, many who speak of Gods love can actually be more difficult to reach. (Rom 2:3-5)

4. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n Romans 2:3-5 - And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

5. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

6. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n Israel (the northern kingdom) began in idolatry and never departed it.

7. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n When their kings own prosperity depended on their not returning to God, the kings made sure that would be the case. (1 Kings 12:26-31)

8. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n 1 Kings 12:26-32 - And Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: 27 "If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah."

9. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n 28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!" 29 And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan.

10. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n 30 Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. 31 He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi.

11. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n Why would God even waste His time with such a people?

12. God wants all men to understand the nature of His love. n Why would God even waste His time with such a people? n Here is where we will come to learn a needed lesson about the nature of God.

13. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n The background of the book of Hosea.

14. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n The background of the book of Hosea. n The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew word, hoshea, which means salvation. In the darkness of sin Hosea provides the way of Salvation!

15. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Hosea preached during the days of Uzziah (767-739), Jotham (739-731), Ahaz 731- 715), and Hezekiah (715-686), kings of Judah and during the days of Jeroboam II (782-752), king of Israel. (Hosea 1:1)

16. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Hosea 1:1 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

17. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n God told Hosea to take a harlot for a wife (Gomer). (Hosea 1:2)

18. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Hosea 1:2 - When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the LORD.

19. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n What would be the attributes of a woman who chose to be a harlot?

20. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n What would be the attributes of a woman who chose to be a harlot? n Would marriage to a good man mean they would live happily ever after?

21. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Why is a pattern of sin so hard to break?

22. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n The children born to Hosea show the heartbreak of God at their adultery.

23. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n The children born to Hosea show the heartbreak of God at their adultery. n The first child, a son, was named Jezreel (whose name means "God sows; God scatters").

24. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n The children born to Hosea show the heartbreak of God at their adultery. n The first child, a son, was named Jezreel (whose name means "God sows; God scatters"). n The second child, a daughter, was named Lo-Ruhamah (whose name means "unpitied").

25. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n The third child, a son, was named Lo-Ammi (whose name means "not my people").

26. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n The third child, a son, was named Lo-Ammi (whose name means "not my people"). n What kind of pain did Hosea experience in knowing that some, it not all of his children born by his wife were not his?

27. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n The third child, a son, was named Lo-Ammi (whose name means "not my people"). n What kind of pain did Hosea experience in knowing that some, it not all of his children born by his wife were not his? n God wants His people to see the great pain they were causing Him. (Hos. 1:2; 9:1)

28. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Hosea 1:2 When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the LORD.

29. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Hosea 9:1 Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other peoples, For you have played the harlot against your God. You have made love for hire on every threshing floor.

30. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n God will not allow such a people to have fellowship with Him. (Hosea 2:2; 1:9)

31. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Hosea 2:2 2 " Bring charges against your mother, bring charges; For she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband! Let her put away her harlotries from her sight, And her adulteries from between her breasts;

32. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Hosea 1:9 9 Then God said: "Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God.

33. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n In spite of this great sin, God does not give up on Israel!

34. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Gomer, after leaving Hosea, is later bought from those who used her as a slave. (Hosea 3:2-3)

35. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Hosea 3:2-3 2 So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley. 3 And I said to her, "You shall stay with me many days; you shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man -- so, too, will I be toward you.

36. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Hosea paid the price of thirty pieces of silver, the price of a wounded slave! (Ex 21:32)

37. The Painful Betrayal of God by His people n Exodus 21:32 - "If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

38. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n They let someone else study and discern Gods word for them. (Hosea 4:1, 6-11) n Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.

39. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n They let someone else study and discern Gods word for them. (Hosea 4:1, 6-11) n Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.

40. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n Hosea 4:6-11 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. 7 " The more they increased, The more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.

41. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n 8 They eat up the sin of My people; They set their heart on their iniquity. 9 And it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, And reward them for their deeds. 10 For they shall eat, but not have enough; They shall commit harlotry, but not increase; Because they have ceased obeying the LORD. 11 " Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart.

42. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n The first actions of Jeroboam should have brought a swift reaction from the people. n When some says it is too much for you what are they really saying? (1 Kgs 12:28) n 1 Kings 12:28 28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!

43. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n The first actions of Jeroboam should have brought a swift reaction from the people. n When some says it is too much for you what are they really saying? (1 Kgs 12:28) n 1 Kings 12:28 28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!

44. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n With the Northern Kingdom starting like this, how hard would it be for a future descendant to take a stand against these actions? Fellowship in time will determine practice. n They became filled with pride and fought God. (Hosea 5:3-6)

45. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n With the Northern Kingdom starting like this, how hard would it be for a future descendant to take a stand against these actions? Fellowship in time will determine practice. n They became filled with pride and fought God. (Hosea 5:3-6)

46. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n Hosea 5:3-6 3 I know Ephraim, And Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you commit harlotry; Israel is defiled. 4 "They do not direct their deeds Toward turning to their God, For the spirit of harlotry is in their midst, And they do not know the LORD.

47. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n 5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them. 6 "With their flocks and herds They shall go to seek the LORD, But they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. n It is very difficult to break away from sin when pride prevails.

48. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n 5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them. 6 "With their flocks and herds They shall go to seek the LORD, But they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. n It is very difficult to break away from sin when pride prevails.

49. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n Pride causes blindness and is the worst kind of deception. (Gal 6:3, 7; Rom 1:21-23) n Galatians 6:3 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. n Galatians 6:7 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

50. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n Pride causes blindness and is the worst kind of deception. (Gal 6:3, 7; Rom 1:21-23) n Galatians 6:3 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. n Galatians 6:7 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

51. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n Pride causes blindness and is the worst kind of deception. (Gal 6:3, 7; Rom 1:21-23) n Galatians 6:3 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. n Galatians 6:7 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

52. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n If you have lived then, they would have talked about serving Jehovah and that they were wiser than Judah who stuck to the traditional worship in Jerusalem. n Proud people do not want to be corrected. The people of Israel fell in line. n They were unstable, only taking brief stands for what is right. (Hosea 6:4-7)

53. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n If you have lived then, they would have talked about serving Jehovah and that they were wiser than Judah who stuck to the traditional worship in Jerusalem. n Proud people do not want to be corrected. The people of Israel fell in line. n They were unstable, only taking brief stands for what is right. (Hosea 6:4-7)

54. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n If you have lived then, they would have talked about serving Jehovah and that they were wiser than Judah who stuck to the traditional worship in Jerusalem. n Proud people do not want to be corrected. The people of Israel fell in line. n They were unstable, only taking brief stands for what is right. (Hosea 6:4-7)

55. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n Hosea 6:4-7 4 " O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes away. 5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And your judgments are like light that goes forth.

56. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n 6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 7 "But like men they transgressed the covenant; There they dealt treacherously with Me. n These people were like Judah was in the days of Josiah, they could be manipulated by circumstances to occasionally do right.

57. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n 6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 7 "But like men they transgressed the covenant; There they dealt treacherously with Me. n These people were like Judah was in the days of Josiah, they could be manipulated by circumstances to occasionally do right.

58. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n How should they have built a foundation that would produce a consistent life? (Hosea 6:1-3, Mt 7:24-25)

59. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n Hosea 6:1-3 Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. 3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

60. How did Israel become Like a Harlot to God? n Matthew 7:24-25 24 " Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

61. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n God does not give up on anyone.

62. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n God does not give up on anyone. n Imagine the scene as Hosea redeems Gomer from the slave auction block!

63. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n God does not give up on anyone. n Imagine the scene as Hosea redeems Gomer from the slave auction block! n Does Gods love towards me personally depend on my actions? (Rom 5:6-10)

64. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Romans 5:6-10 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

65. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

66. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n How can this knowledge help me turn back to God?

67. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n How can this knowledge be perverted to drive me further away from God? (Rom 2:3-5)

68. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Romans 2:3-5 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

69. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

70. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n When one understands Gods nature they come to understand unchangeable, dependable truths. (Hosea 14:1-3)

71. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Hosea 14:1-3 Israel, return to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; 2 Take words with you, And return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. 3 Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, 'You are our gods.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy.

72. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Some are blessed to finally understand that men and nations will let them down.

73. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Some are blessed to finally understand that men and nations will let them down. n When one finally approaches God with nothing in my hand but a plea for His mercy, then God will receive him and bless him abundantly.

74. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n How much have you been forgiven? Do you see yourselves as Gomer? (Lk 7:40-47; 2 Pt 1:9-10)

75. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Luke 7:40-47 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it." 41 "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 "And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"

76. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n 43 Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged." 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.

77. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n 45 "You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 "You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.

78. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n 2 Peter 1:9-10 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

79. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n The love of God will be a constant force for growth in the restored sinner. (Hosea 14:4-8)

80. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Hosea 14:4-8 4 " I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon.

81. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n 7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 " Ephraim shall say, 'What have I to do anymore with idols?' I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me.

82. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Gods love changes ones whole life and changes our thinking.

83. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n How does Gods love defeat worldliness? (Eph 3:16-19)

84. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Ephesians 3:16-19 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height --

85. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

86. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n What a great blessing to finally realize these truths! (Hosea 14:9)

87. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Hosea 14:9 - 9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.

88. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Later the Gentiles (you and me) would ultimately experience the unworthy redemption from slavery from sin to become the people of God! (Hosea 2:23; Rom 9:24-26)

89. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Hosea 2:23 23 Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; Then I will say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!' And they shall say, 'You are my God!' n Hosea 2:23 23 Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; Then I will say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!' And they shall say, 'You are my God!'

90. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Romans 9:24-26 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved." 26 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God.

91. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Questions to Consider:

92. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Questions to Consider: n 1. Why did Jeroboam refuse to serve God in the beginning of the Northern Kingdom?

93. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Questions to Consider: n 1. Why did Jeroboam refuse to serve God in the beginning of the Northern Kingdom? n 2. What challenges did a citizen of the Northern kingdom have to overcome to serve God?

94. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n Questions to Consider: n 1. Why did Jeroboam refuse to serve God in the beginning of the Northern Kingdom? n 2. What challenges did a citizen of the Northern kingdom have to overcome to serve God? n 3. Why did Hoseas marriage fail? Why did God have him do this?

95. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n 4. How far into sin did Gomer go? Did she reach the point of no return? How do you know?

96. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n 4. How far into sin did Gomer go? Did she reach the point of no return? How do you know? n 5. What false notions about God does His love dispel?

97. Wonderful Lessons About the Love of God n 4. How far into sin did Gomer go? Did she reach the point of no return? How do you know? n 5. What false notions about God does His love dispel? n 6. How does the book of Hosea speak of us in the NT? How do we know for sure?