Faithful Love
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Introduction
Introduction
How could Hosea’s unfaithful wife Gomer ever question her husbands love? He continuously demonstrated it by seeking her out, pleading her to come home, and even paying the price to purchase her back.
How could Israel ever question God’s love? How could they persistently refuse to respond to it? The nation has broken the law and in turn Gods heart. As we come to the close of the book of Hosea, Hosea will remind Israel of God’s faithful love for His people.
Approximately fourteen different times Moses in the book of Deuteronomy uses the word remember. Deuteronomy is the law again to the nation of Israel before they enter into the promised land. Moses tells the new generation of Israelites to look back before moving forward. To remember God’s previous faithful love is precisely what they need to remember in order to trust that His love remains faithful.
One day C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. "Weather vanes are changeable," he said, "but God’s love is constant."
"I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles," replied his friend. "You misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love."
God’s love is a faithful love.
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 Israel called to the Egyptians even as Israel was leaving them. They kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the hand, but they never knew that I healed them.
4 I led them with human cords, with ropes of love. To them I was like one who eases the yoke from their jaws; I bent down to give them food. 5 Israel will not return to the land of Egypt and Assyria will be his king, because they refused to repent. 6 A sword will whirl through his cities; it will destroy and devour the bars of his gates, because of their schemes.
7 My people are bent on turning from me. Though they call to him on high, he will not exalt them at all. 8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I surrender you, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? I have had a change of heart; my compassion is stirred!
9 I will not vent the full fury of my anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not come in rage. 10 They will follow the Lord; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.
12 Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel, with deceit. Judah still wanders with God and is faithful to the holy ones.
The Lord’s Previous Faithful Love
The Lord’s Previous Faithful Love
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the hand, but they never knew that I healed them. 4 I led them with human cords, with ropes of love. To them I was like one who eases the yoke from their jaws; I bent down to give them food.
Hosea 11 opens up and Hosea brings the attention of Israel to look upon, remember and ponder the previous mercies and provision of God’s faithful love. Like a father with His child so the Lord has been with Israel. When Israel was a child - young, immature - God loved him. There is a time when children are more of a liability than an asset and this is where love is proven to be faithful love. Can you love when they bring nothing to the table and its more hurtful to do so? God did - God loved Israel when they were a child. God continues and says out of Egypt I called my son. God called - beckoned and summoned with the desire to bring to and bring close His son. Out of Egypt is a reminder not only that God called them out of the land of Egypt but out of the spirit of Egypt as well - Egypt was a representation of the world and all that was sinful. Out from among sin God called His son. God’s love was tender for Israel 500 years before this prophecy of Hosea was written and it was then He brought them out of Egypt.
This is also an “unexpected prophecy” - fulfilled in the life of Jesus.
15 He stayed there until Herod’s death, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I called my Son.
This doesnt mean Jesus was called out of sin - but the representation is that Jesus became the friend of sinners and identified with sinners - so that it might show that from among sinful humanity Jesus was brought forth.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
Before the bondage of Egypt God had sent Joseph ahead to prepare the way and provide the salvation of Jacob and his other sons. From there the nation was blessed and multiplied and when the time came God brought them out of bondage led by Moses and formed a nation as a fulfillment of promise to Abraham. God of the Exodus displayed the faithful love of a father who freed His son from bondage.
The loving father not only brought His son out of Egypt but He continues on and says it was I who taught them to walk, taking them by the hand. Picturing a father teaching his son to walk - doesnt walk ahead of him and demand he keep up. No it is a heartfelt picture of a father patiently taking his childs hands and walking with them at their pace. Giving them balance when they go to trip, fall or teeter over. This looks back to the time when after coming out of Egypt the Lord God taught the Israelites to walk with Him — walk being daily living. God taught Israel how to live for God daily. He taught them His law (ten commandments, Leviticus, Deuteronomy), He taught them His provision (water from the rock, mana, quail, sandals and clothing), He taught them His protection (the battle of the Amalakites), His presence (Cloud by day and Pillar of fire at night) and He taught them His discipline (serpents, Korah, wandering the desert 40 years).
God taught them to walk in all these things. God punished Israel to walk in the desert 40 years but He went with them and was with them throughout - holding their hand.
The Lord led them with human cords and ropes of love - a cord a fetter used to prevent wandering but not restrict movement. To them I was like one who eases the burden and gives them the blessing and provision.
8 I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel. 9 Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you.
God says also I bent down to give them food. To picture the Lord God bending or stooping from on high down low to supply food. To bend down is to change orientation or direction, that God would humble Himself to minister to His needy child. One might think it is beneath God’s dignity and honor to stoop so low. God considers it the highest honor to stoop low for His people’s provision. This is the heart reflected also within the servant-natured life of Jesus. The Lord treated Israel with the kindness and compassion of a loving father.
Long-suffering Through Persistent Rebellion
Long-suffering Through Persistent Rebellion
2 Israel called to the Egyptians even as Israel was leaving them. They kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.
5 Israel will not return to the land of Egypt and Assyria will be his king, because they refused to repent. 6 A sword will whirl through his cities; it will destroy and devour the bars of his gates, because of their schemes. 7 My people are bent on turning from me. Though they call to him on high, he will not exalt them at all.
In response to the Lord’s compassion and kindness how did Israel respond? In like manner? No they responded with constant, obstinate rebellion and unfaithfulness to God. Reading through the first four verses again lets note how Israel responded to and treated the Lord.
Israel called to the Egyptians even as Israel was leaving them. Even in the midst of the Exodus and throughout the wilderness wandering Israel constantly put their eyes back on Egypt to go back.
10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and there were the Egyptians coming after them! The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?
12 Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
3 But the people thirsted there for water and grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you ever bring us up from Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”
3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Israel also continued to sacrifice to the Baals - the false gods and giving offerings to idols.
1 When the people saw that Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, “Come, make gods for us who will go before us because this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!”
4 He took the gold from them, fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it into an image of a calf. Then they said, “Israel, these are your gods, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”
Israel despite the faithful love of God continued to devote themselves to false gods and to continue to be ungrateful to the Lord and even offer what was rightfully the Lord’s to other gods. Acting much like spoiled children who never appreciate and just consume and use things for their own pleasure. They never acknowledged that it was God who healed them (verse 3). They were all to happy to enjoy the blessings and gifts while refusing to acknowledge and obey the Giver.
God says that Israel will not return to the land of Egypt but Assyria will be his king. They will not return to Egypt but they will be ruled by another. Why? God says its because they refused to repent. It isnt so much the sin of Israel for God can deal with and forgive the sins, but the problem was the unrepentance of Israel. Their stubborn refusal to repent of their sin. This was a constant during God’s previous past faithful love Israel was sinful and unrepentant of their sin. God declares that a sword will whirl through his cities - the sword a picture of war and destruction and the whirling is the swiftness with which it will come. It will destroy the bars of the gates - the very security of the cities will be gone. Because of their schemes - their wisdom, their counsel from those not sent by God.
God says My people are bent on turning from Me. Bent is to be hung up on, intent upon and turning is turning away from God - apostatizing from Him. Throughout human history man continues to be prone (no matter Jew or Gentile) to enjoy the blessings God while taking God for granted. Man was and yet remains prone to wander
God says that though they call to Me (God Most High) - translation better rendered None exalt Him. They call to Him but do not honor Him. They rebel and refuse to repent and are bent on turning. Notice how God speaks though - He doesnt say those people, those who were formally mine, He says My people still providing the ownership and claiming them as His own - though they are unrepentant and rebellious.
On more than one occasion God could have and even wanted to destroy the nation and start over again.
10 Now leave me alone, so that my anger can burn against them and I can destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”
1 The Lord spoke to Moses: “Go up from here, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt, to the land I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying: I will give it to your offspring. 2 I will send an angel ahead of you and will drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hethites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go up with you because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.” 4 When the people heard this bad news, they mourned and didn’t put on their jewelry. 5 For the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites: You are a stiff-necked people. If I went up with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.” 6 So the Israelites remained stripped of their jewelry from Mount Horeb onward.
God instead displayed His long-suffering and yet faithful love in the midst of persistent rebellion.
The Lord’s Future Faithful Love
The Lord’s Future Faithful Love
8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I surrender you, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? I have had a change of heart; my compassion is stirred! 9 I will not vent the full fury of my anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not come in rage.
10 They will follow the Lord; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. 11 They will be roused like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes. This is the Lord’s declaration.
12 Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel, with deceit. Judah still wanders with God and is faithful to the holy ones.
It is the Lord’s faithful love and not Israel’s obedience that provides the future promise of mercy and grace — and it is the same for us. Israel’s sins were constant and even present currently when the Lord spoke these words to them through Hosea. God bursts forth with four rhetorical questions in the midst of pronounced discipline (which we remember comes out of love).
How can I give you up Ephraim?
How can I surrender you Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
How can I deliver you (not save but hand over or surrender to be destroyed) Ephraim (Obstinate Israel)
How can I deliver you Israel (Governed of God)
How can I make you similar or like Admah and How can I treat you (cause you to be installed, mounted, established) like Zeboiim. Admah and Zeboiim were utterly destroyed alongside Sodom and Gomorrah and as such are symbols and examples of complete and divine destruction.
23 All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown, producing nothing, with no plant growing on it, just like the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord demolished in his fierce anger.
God is saying I cannot bear to allow My people to be caught up in the destruction that will come upon all nations - the same way Admah and Zeboiim were caught up in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Why?
God has had a change of heart and His compassion has been stirred. What is motivating God to spare Israel from total destruction? Deep compassion and faithful love. He says I will not vent the full fury of My anger and I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. The longsuffering, compassion, forgiveness and faithful love of the Lord towards His people is unbelievable. Man cannot fathom it and that is precisely where it comes from. God is not a man He is God.
9 I will not vent the full fury of my anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not come in rage.
19 God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?
Man cannot hold back his anger very long
Man cannot bear with others when he himself is tired, hungry, stressed, or annoyed
Man will not reconcile with one who has purposefully offended or is of bad character
Man will only willingly reconcile if the other party first comes
Man reconciles only if the person will never again wrong
Man does not restore offender to previous place when reconciling
Man will not continue in reconciliation if he is rejected
Man will not restore without a period of probation
Man will not love, adopt, honor, or associate with one who has wronged him
Man will not trust one who has wronged him formerly
God says He is not man but is God - He Holy and declares He will not come in rage. Then He states His future promise of faithfulness to Israel - they will follow the Lord. He will roar like a lion and when He does (the Lion of Judah) His children will come and they will be roused out from among them and He the Lord will settle them in their homes.
The Lord promises to restore them in the future when He comes again - He promises that they will hear His voice and follow Him. He promises to settle them in their homes. This is the Lord’s declaration.
Why should they believe and hope and trust in this declaration? This is the reason He reminded them of His previous faithful love and His current enduring long-suffering in faithful love - so that they would trust in His future promise of continuing faithful love for them.
Verse 12 is a reminder that God makes this promise knowing where Israel is right now - in rebellion and in sin. God promises a future and a restoration - despite being in the middle of their rebellion!
God future promises are not dependent upon our faithfulness, but upon His faithfulness.
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We are in sin and guilty before God. Yet He says how can I give you up? Justice demands that He do this, yet in His heart He must find a way of salvation. In this God sent Jesus Christ, and on the cross Jesus was given up in our place.
16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
It is understandable when men question the forgiveness of God in comparison to the forgiveness shown on earth among men. It is precisely because we bring God to the level of men that we are in error to understand and believe for God is not a man but He is God. What passes for forgiveness among men is nothing like the amazing forgiveness of God. “Suppose that someone had grievously offended any one of you, and that he asked your forgiveness, do you not think that you would probably say to him, ‘Well, yes, I forgive you; but I—I—I—cannot forget it’? Ah! dear friends, that is a sort of forgiveness with one leg chopped off, it is a lame forgiveness, and is not worth much.”
It is God’s previous faithfulness that allows and beckons us to trust in His promised loves for us and the future hope in Him that we have. His knowledge of our current state says we dont have to hide for He knows us and still promises to us.
God’s love is a faithful love in which we can trust.