Take Two: Hosea 2, Proverbs 5

Hosea 2 repeats the theme from what we discussed in chapter 1.

vv.1-2 are a calling to repentence. The imagery is one of the adultress who forsook her marriage and became a harlot. The call is for her to turn from this conduct.



vv.3-7 are pictures of God's activity to turn the woman back to Him. He says that He will strip her naked (a sign of shame), and make her like the wilderness (unfruitful), bringing on her pain and judgment. The judgment extends beyond her to her children (vv.4-5). She is constantly pursuing pleasure and ever unsatisfied because God prevents her satisfaction in these things (vv. 5-7).



POINT: God loves us too much to allow us to become comfortable and satisfied with imitations. Sin only seems to satisfy...in the end, it is purely wanting in every respect.



vv.8-13, God charges that the adultress used the blessings of God to offer worship to a false God (baal). God notes His judgment against this conduct and punishes her for her rebellion (v.13).



POINT: There are consequences for sin and we fool ourselves into thinking that we can get away with anything we want. Whenever we choose a path other than God's...we fail to become satisfied and we experience His wrath/punishment.



v.14-15 give insight into why God would bring hardship on the adultress. He is preparing her for His redemptive actions in calling her back to Himself. He calls to her and persuades her to forsake the imitation and pursue the genuine. In v.16 we see that she recommits to Him and calls him "Ishi" (my husband) and no longer calls him "Baali" (My master, my baal). God's redemptive call to her brings her back to a loving desire for Him.

POINT: The picture here is not one of serving a god (baal) out of obligation or as one enslaved to it, but one of a loving, committed relationship between a husband (God) and wife (His people).



vv.17-18, God promises victory over her enemies and peace for her. In vv.19, He re-affirms His covenant with her and brings in a period of blessing and prosperity (a Messianic prophesy). (v.19-23).



The big picture is still "God's grace." It is hard during times of chastisement to see that God's discipline is an act of grace and mercy. God rebukes because of love. He draws no pleasure from punishing His children. He does so, to persuade them to return to Him.



When you examine the difficulties in your life...are they due to spiritual warfare, God's perfecting work in your life, or God's correcting work in your life? How you answer that, determines your response to the difficulties themselves.



Proverbs 5:21 is my takeaway today. "For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all his paths."



There is nothing we do that escapes the personal, righteous scrutiny of the Lord. No sin is ever committed in private. No action is ever truly in secret.

Grace,