INTRODUCTION

1. God’s regard shown to Israel

a) Grace

b) Mercy

c) Faithfulness

d) Justice

2. Israel’s regard for God

a) Taking God for granted

b) Turning to idolatry

c) Unbelief

 

ISRAEL’S RELATION WITH GOD

1“Ephraim feeds on the wind,

And pursues the east wind;

He daily increases lies and desolation.

Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians,

And oil is carried to Egypt.

2 “The LORD also brings a charge against Judah,

And will punish Jacob according to his ways;

According to his deeds He will recompense him. Hosea 12:1-2

1. Full of lies

2. Feeds on the wind

3. Futility of his ways

 

REMORSE AND RETURNING TO GOD

3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb,

And in his strength he struggled with God.

4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed;

He wept, and sought favour from Him.

He found Him in Bethel,

And there He spoke to us—

5 That is, the LORD God of hosts.

The LORD is His memorable name.

6 So you, by the help of your God, return;

Observe mercy and justice,

And wait on your God continually. Hosea 12:3-6

1. Jacob’s sinful past

a) He was born sinful

b) Sin persisted throughout his life

2. Jacob’s struggle with God

a) In desperation

b) In fear and tears

c) He found strength

3. Jacob’s success

a) He found favour from God

b) God revealed Himself

i) As the LORD God of hosts

ii) As the LORD who will be his Help

4. Returning to God

a) To observe mercy and justice

b) To wait on God continually

 

REMINDER OF GOD’S LOVE

1“When Israel was a child, I loved him,

And out of Egypt I called My son.

2 As they called them,

So they went from them;

They sacrificed to the Baals,

And burned incense to carved images.

3 “I taught Ephraim to walk,

Taking them by their arms;

But they did not know that I healed them.

4 I drew them with gentle cords,

With bands of love,

And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.

I stooped and fed them Hosea 11:1-4

1. Recalling God’s love

a) God loved Israel when he was but a child

b) He called His son out of Egypt

2. Remembering the days of idolatry

a) Sacrificing to Baals

b) Burning incense to carved images

3. Recalling God’s faithfulness

a) Teaching Ephraim to walk

b) Teaching Israel how to walk

c) Healing Israel time and again

d) Drawing the people with bands of love and gentle cords

e) He took off their yoke

f) He stooped and fed the people

 

A SOLEMN REALITY

7 My people are bent on backsliding from Me.

Though they call to the Most High,

None at all exalt Him. Hosea 11:7

1. Israel was bent on backsliding

2. None exalts the Most High

 

CONCLUSION

8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

How can I set you like Zeboiim?

My heart churns within Me;

My sympathy is stirred.

9 I will not execute the fierceness of My anger;

I will not again destroy Ephraim.

For I am God, and not man,

The Holy One in your midst;

And I will not come with terror.

10 “They shall walk after the LORD.

He will roar like a lion. When He roars,

Then His sons shall come trembling from the west;

11 They shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt,

Like a dove from the land of Assyria.

And I will let them dwell in their houses,”

Says the LORD. Hosea 11:8-11

1. God will not give up on His people

2. He will still show sympathy

3. He will not destroy

4. But He will speak strongly

5. The challenge

To return to God humbly and walk with Him