Winning Back the Wandering and Rebellious Child - Pastor Steve

 

Reading: Hosea 1:1-11

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we reflect on Your Word today, open our hearts to understand Your persistent love and unwavering faithfulness. Help us to see how You pursue us even when we stray. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Introduction: How does a parent win back a wandering and rebellious child? Bible commentator Derek Kidner suggests three common approaches: playing it cool, allowing the child to face their own consequences; playing it tough, threatening and disciplining the child; and playing it tenderly, seeking to reason through tear-stained faces. Kidner concludes that all three approaches are often necessary to win back a rebellious child.

Similarly, throughout the book of Hosea, we see God using all three methods to win back His backsliding people. The book of Hosea is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in seeking and saving His rebellious children. The name Hosea, from the same Hebrew root as Joshua and Jesus, means "to save." God comes to His people through Hosea with the intention of saving His wandering, rebellious people.

1. Hosea's Context: Hosea's life and ministry are set against a backdrop of significant political and spiritual turmoil. Hosea 1:1 lists the kings who reigned during his time:

“The word of the Lord that came to Hosea the son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.”

This context highlights the contrast between the southern kingdom of Judah, with its mix of good and bad kings, and the northern kingdom of Israel, under Jeroboam II, which experienced great material prosperity but severe spiritual decline.

2. Hosea's Calling: Hosea's prophetic mission was uniquely challenging, involving both his personal and public life as an illustration of God's relationship with Israel.

A Husband: Hosea 1:2 recounts God’s command to Hosea to marry Gomer, a woman known for her immorality:

“When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, ‘Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.’”

Hosea’s marriage to Gomer symbolized Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.

A Father: Gomer bore three children, each given names with prophetic significance (Hosea 1:3-9). Jezreel, meaning "God will sow," signified impending judgment. Lo-Ruhamah, meaning "No Mercy," indicated the withdrawal of God’s mercy. Lo-Ammi, meaning "Not My People," signaled a severed relationship between God and Israel.

A Picture: Hosea's life was a living illustration of God's unwavering faithfulness to His faithless people. Despite Israel’s spiritual adultery, God remained steadfast in His love and commitment.

3. Hosea's Children: The names of Hosea’s children conveyed messages of judgment but also hinted at hope.

Jezreel: Hosea 1:4-5:

“And the Lord said to him, ‘Call his name Jezreel, for in just a little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. And on that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.’”

Lo-Ruhamah: Hosea 1:6:

“She conceived again and bore a daughter. And the Lord said to him, ‘Call her name No Mercy, for I will no more have mercy on the house of Israel, to forgive them at all.’”

Lo-Ammi: Hosea 1:9:

“And the Lord said, ‘Call his name Not My People, for you are not my people, and I am not your God.’”

Despite these severe pronouncements, God’s faithfulness shines through. Hosea 1:10-11 promises restoration:

“Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it shall be said to them, ‘Children of the living God.’ And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head. And they shall go up from the land, for great shall be the day of Jezreel.”

Lessons for Today: Just as Hosea lived in a time of spiritual decline, we too may feel surrounded by a culture moving away from faithfulness to God. Yet, Hosea’s context and calling remind us that God is always a faithful husband and father. He continues to pursue us, even in our rebellion.

Conclusion: God's promise to restore His people and gather them under one head, Jesus Christ, extends to all who believe in Him. This promise assures us that even in our unfaithfulness, God remains true. Will you turn to Jesus today, recommitting yourself to Him and finding grace to live for Him this year?

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness even when we are unfaithful. Help us to return to You with sincere hearts, trusting in Your grace and mercy. Strengthen our commitment to live for You each day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

Reflection Questions:

1. In what ways have you experienced God's pursuit of you, even in times of rebellion?
2. How can you apply the lessons from Hosea’s life and message to your own journey of faith?
3. What steps can you take this week to recommit yourself to a faithful relationship with God?