Israel though she has been unfaithful in the past will be brought back because she has been redeemed – paid for by her Saviour. This is also true for us in Christ.
Hosea 3: Hosea Redeems His Wife
1 And the LORD said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins."
2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley.
3 And I said to her, "You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you."
4 For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods.
5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness in the latter days.
Hosea 4: The LORD Accuses Israel
1 Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land;
2 there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
3 Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it languish, and also the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens, and even the fish of the sea are taken away.
4 Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, for with you is my contention, O priest.
5 You shall stumble by day; the prophet also shall stumble with you by night; and I will destroy your mother.
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since 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.
8 They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity.
9 And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
10 They shall eat, but not be satisfied; they shall play the whore, but not multiply, because they have forsaken the LORD to cherish
11 whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.
12 My people inquire of a piece of wood, and their walking staff gives them oracles. For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray, and they have left their God to play the whore.
13 They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the whore, and your brides commit adultery.
14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the whore, nor your brides when they commit adultery; for the men themselves go aside with prostitutes and sacrifice with cult prostitutes, and a people without understanding shall come to ruin.
15 Though you play the whore, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty. Enter not into Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-aven, and swear not, "As the LORD lives."
16 Like a stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn; can the LORD now feed them like a lamb in a broad pasture?
17 Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone.
18 When their drink is gone, they give themselves to whoring; their rulers dearly love shame.
19 A wind has wrapped them in its wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.
Things to think about…
1. Look at the faithfulness of God expressed in this very short chapter, Hos 3. Hosea paid the full price for a slave, vs 2. He bought a prostitute. He buys back his wife. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Christ bought us - spiritual prostitutes. We all have hearts bent on denial and rebellion. Praise God when He bought us He gave us a new heart and a new mind. Remember to put off the old man and his ways today. We are now slaves of righteousness. This is important to reflect on as we celebrate the arrival of the Saviour. His gift would be His sacrifice.
2. There are spiritual promises to us all in Hos 3:5, but do not miss the prophetic significance or blessing for Israel when considering the context of this verse. Pray for Christ’s peace to be over Israel and her neighbours. Pray for our One for Israel gospel ministry. Remember Hosea is written after David was king on the throne (250 years earlier) and the northern kingdom would have no king when they were taken by the Assyrians (722BC). So who is the David referred to here? It is David’s greater Son – the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a promise that Israel will one day embrace Christ as their Messiah. May it be in our day.
3. Hosea is writing in the 8th C BC (about 760BC – 720BC). He is commenting on the fact that Israel has turned away from the one true God and is worshipping idols and embracing cultish practises. The Assyrians would eventually take the northern kingdom in 722BC. Judah is told not to follow their example. They do not listen and are taken to Babylon in 605BC, 597BC and 586BC. What warning signs has God given Australia and especially the Australian church that we are not being as faithful with God’s word as we should be? Pray the church in Australia will look like a faithful bride.
4. Hos 4:6 says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”. Basic bible knowledge among Christians has declined in our day even though we have more ways to access it than ever before. Keep reading and studying God’s word and apply it in everyday living. How can we raise the level of knowledge and awareness of God in the general populace? Ans:- One person at a time. Who can you start with today?
5. Consider vs 15 “Enter not into Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-aven, and swear not, "As the LORD lives." The cities of Gilgal and Beth Aven were centres of idolatry in Israel. For a citizen of Judah to travel there meant they shared in Israel’s idolatry. When we get too close to sinful practices, they often rub off on us: Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
6. Hosea says “Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone”, Hos 4:17. This is the northern kingdom that had set up 2 gold calves in Dan and Bethel. When people are hardened to correction even though they be very religious the counsel is to let them go. Sometimes this is for a season. Pray for those who have fallen away from Christ or for children who have been raised in Christian homes but do not seek after the Lord as they have been taught.
7. The wind that has wrapped them up in its wings, Hos 4:19 due to their idol worship and rebellion would be captivity to Assyria. This would happen for both Israel (Assyria) and Judah (Babylonians).
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for pledges for finances for the youth and young adults pastor role. $49, 640 has come in so far. Let’s keep praying for final collection numbers.
2. Carols service this Sunday 18th December – Family fun Day afternoon/evening 3pm-7pm.
3. Christmas Day Service 25th Dec – on a Sunday this year – service will start at 9:00am.
4. Pray for the leadership of our country.
5. Pray for the people of Iran and Ukraine.
6. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023 and the finances to support them.
7. More young families and youth into the church.
8. Ministry leaders within the church.
9. Our One for Israel ministry.
10. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
11. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Thankyou to those who have supported the church and youth and young adults role - $49. 640 raised thus far.
2. Work being done in the house and café. Thankyou especially to Rob Brand and James Smith.
3. New folk becoming members of CBC
4. Worship on Sunday – thankyou worship team. Thankyou for those who welcomed at the door.
5. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Family fun day/Carols night 3-7pm 18th Dec – Book it in. Invite people flyers
2. Christmas Day service – 9am Dec 25th.
3. Remember to check your duty rosters.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for December...
Q. 3. Why did God make you and all things? A. For his own glory.
