Door Of Hope

O. T. #2034 "Door of Hope"

Sept. 28, 2021

Hosea 2-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

What a loving and forgiving prophet!  He illustrated with his life the love and forgiveness of our God. Gomer, his wife, had left him and went into prostitution, just as Israel had left the worship of God and went into idolatry.

Some 185 years passed between the time Israel (Northern Kingdom) went into captivity with Assyria (722 BC) and when King Cyrus of Persia sent a remnant of Jews back to Jerusalem to restore the city and the Temple (537 BC). That means that Hosea and his children had died and did not experience the restoration of Israel, the fulfillment of his prophecies.

However, as Tony Evans wrote, "You can't outrun the tenacious love of God."

Gomer would be wooed and brought into a private, face-to-face consultation; and she will be dealt with kindly. (verse 14) Her blessings will be restored (verse 15a); and the occasion of her sin, rightly faced and deserted, will be the occasion of her hope. (verse 15b) (Falwell)

Just as Gomer would call Hosea Ishi (my husband) and not Baali (my lord and master), so would Israel's relationship with God be the same. They would be affectionate and servant of God in the future.

LET IT GROW

In verses 14-23, we read of the restoration of the marriage of Hosea and Gomer, as well as the restoration of Israel. I counted 21 promises, the "I will's" and "will's" of God in these verses:

10. God will win Israel back and speak tenderly to her in the desert. (verse 14)

11. God will return her vineyards and transfer the Valley of Achor into a door of hope during the Millennium. This wonderful hope will result in singing. (verse 14)

12. Then God will take away the many names of Israel's false gods/idols from their lips and they will never mention them again. (verse 17)

13. God will make a covenant with the animals and birds so they do not harm Israel. (verse 18a)

14, He will remove all weapons of war from the land so they live unafraid in peace and safety; (v.18b)

15. God will make them His wife forever. (v.19a)

16. He will show them righteousness and justice, unfailing love, and compassion. (v.19b)

17. He will be faithful to them and make them His children, so they will finally know God as the LORD; (v.20)

18. God will hear and answer them. (v.21a)

19. He will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds and the sky will answer the earth with rain. (v.21b-22) The earth will give grain, grapevines, and olive trees rain.

20. God will raise up Israelites with His mercy, and will show them love and forgiveness. (verse 23a)

21. He will change Israel from "Not my people" to "Now you are My people."

Then Israel will say, "Thou art my God."

 

LET IT GROW

 

As you face problems and trials, remember that God may speak to you in the wilderness times, not just in times of prosperity.(Life Application Study Bible)

The Lord speaks tenderly to us, restores our relationship, and shows compassion to us when we repent of our sins and turn back to Him.Jesus wants to be our Door of Hope so we can enter into a new life. Even when others have been unfaithful to us (spouse, friend), God still loves us.

LET IT GO

Help us forgive and love those who have hurt us, those unfaithful friends, children, or spouse.

Come alive in us, Lord Jesus, so we can show forth Your love and forgiveness.

May we be found faithful ones.