Hosea Tells of God’s Forgiving Love

Hosea 6:1-7, 14:4-9

GOLDEN TEXT: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”—I John 1:19

TO appreciate this lesson it is necessary to have at least a general understanding of the kind of circumstances under which the prophecy was written. Hosea was a resident and prophet in the kingdom of Israel—the ten tribe kingdom a part of the period in which Isaiah was prophesying in the kingdom of Judah—the two-tribe kingdom.

Some time previously Elisha the prophet, on his death-bed, gave instructions to Joash, the king of the ten-tribe kingdom, to smite the ground, with the explanation that the smiting of the ground three times with arrows by Joash represented three victories which he would gain over Syria, effecting temporary deliverance of Israel from Syrian control. These promised victories were gained, and for a time Israel made great strides nationally, extending its borders to very nearly the area of territory controlled by David and Solomon—Judah excepted.—II Kings 13:14-19

The Lord manifested His favor to Israel in token of the reformation begun by Joash by giving bountiful harvest, so that the land became very wealthy and prosperous from the large crops, as well as from the spoils taken in war. These prosperities were in full accord with the covenant God had made with Israel at Sinai (Deut. 28:1-14), but instead of the favors leading the people back to complete harmony with God by close adherence to their covenant, they seemed to have before long a very different effect. Soon they forgot that the prosperities were the results of divine favor, and in the language of Scripture, the nation “went whoring after other gods.”

Undoubtedly one thing which especially made the false religious practices attractive was the fact that their worship and ceremonies gave loose rein to licentiousness, and even gave a certain sanctity to it. Thus Israel’s prosperity led into idolatry and into general licentiousness and corruption; worse, probably, than at any period of their history. This led to their rejection by the Lord, delivering them to the Assyrians, who took the entire nation captive.

Hosea’s prophesying was at the time of Israel’s depravity, just preceding her captivity period. Through the prophet the Lord appeals to Israel, pointing out His loving tender care for them from the beginning of their history as a nation, pointing out their back-sliding attitude, their falseness to Him—picturing them as a false wife and God Himself as a most merciful husband.

Hosea’s reference to Israel in the light of a false wife to her husband who was Jehovah, was perhaps due to the fact that, according to history, his own wife had been untrue to him. Thus Hosea spoke from a background of experience, rather than by mere theory. The prophet’s sympathy went out to his own wife to the extent that he redeemed her from slavery, as recorded. (Hosea 3:1-3) These severe experiences through which the prophet passed seemed to prepare him to voice the Lord’s sentiments of tender compassion to Israel, His espoused one, who so frequently, yet persistently, went after other gods. If the prophecy of Hosea be read with this in mind, its tender compassionate appeal will be appreciated as in no other way.

In the prophecy we find the prophet appealing to Israel to return unto the Lord, and in response the people all represented as giving heed to the prophet’s instruction, pleading with the Lord to take away their iniquity and to receive them graciously. This is the attitude of heart in which all Israelites indeed throughout this Gospel age are returning to the Lord through the gracious provision that has been made for them through the blood of Christ. In this prophecy we have a general lesson of God’s great mercy on behalf of fallen humanity, and of how graciously through Christ He receives all those who return with a spirit of repentance to serve Him faithfully.

Chapter 6, verse 7, speaks of Israel having transgressed their covenant even as, according to the marginal rendering, Adam had transgressed his covenant. Adam’s covenant relationship with the Lord was based on the fact that he was created perfect and in the image of God. He forfeited this covenant relationship through his disobedience to the law which God had given him. Through his disobedience the entire world of mankind lost life. Through Christ, however, all are yet to have the opportunity of returning to full covenant relationship with the Lord, such as Adam enjoyed before he transgressed.

Israel’s repentance in the days of Hosea, the prophet, was not sufficiently sincere and whole-hearted to prevent their finally losing divine favor. Hence they have been a cast off nation down through the centuries. The prophet indicates that even in this they had not been entirely forgotten by God, because in His gracious and merciful plan they are yet to he restored to full favor with Him.

This final restoration of Israel, however, will not take place until the spiritual Israel of this Gospel age is complete. These, associated with Jesus and designated Zion, are to constitute the channel through which divine blessings will be dispensed to natural Israel and to the whole world during the Kingdom period now near. Hence, it will come to pass as explained by the apostle Paul that out of Zion will come forth the Deliverer and will turn away ungodliness from Jacob. And then all Israel shall he saved. Thus again, and more abundantly than ever, God’s mercy and love will be manifested toward the transgressors. Paul says that he has counted them all in unbelief in order that He might have mercy upon all—“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!”—Rom. 11:33

QUESTIONS:

Under what circumstances was Hosea’s prophecy written?

How did the Lord manifest His favor to Israel in token of the reformation begun by Joash?

What was the possible basis for the prophet’s reference to Israel as a. false wife?

When will the final restoration of Israel to God’s favor take place?

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