May 14, 2023
Hosea 2:14-23
“Threads of Hope”
Service Overview: Even though Israel was unfaithful, God was willing going to go to great lengths to try and woo her back and restore her.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:12 (NIV)
Background Insights:
- In the previous verses God acted in judgment upon his unfaithful people, in order to bring them to their senses that they might return to him. Here the figure is of a lover attracting his beloved back, speaking tenderly and giving gifts (14-15, 22), and protecting from attack by wild animals or humans (18). It is a new start: Israel and her husband in the desert again, with no distractions, betrothed forever… in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. (D. A. Carson, New Bible Commentary, 769)
- 21-23. Two great promises bring the salvation speech (2:14-23) to a glorious conclusion: the restoration of fertility to the land and the changing of the children’s names to declarations of salvation. The mention of Jezreel is the hinge between these promises (v. 22b), announcing fertility by its very etymology (cf. on 1:4—5) and beginning the sequence of renaming. The eschatological formula in that day and the oracle formula says the Lord (v. 21) bind this segment to the previous ones (cf. 1:16, 18) and infuse it with the divine authority appropriate to its cosmic message and its pledge of covenant renewal. (David Allan Hubbard, Hosea, 89)
- The change of appellation from “Baal” to “husband” is more than merely removing “the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be mentioned by name no more” (v. 17). Hebrew ish (“husband”), with its corresponding ishah (“wife”), seems to speak of an endearing mutuality, a truly personal relationship, rather than the connection implied in the word bad with its suggestion of “boss” along with the sexual implications deriving from its possible original meaning of “fructifier.” (H. D. Beeby, Grace abounding: A Commentary on the Book of Hosea, 29)
- The Valley of Achor was seared into Israel’s national mind as a dark page in her history. And the people who heard Hosea’s prophecy knew exactly what the Valley of Achor meant. For them it meant a terrible failure. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, 40)
- Verse 18 projects an environment in which the various inhabitants of God’s restored creation all dwell in security and harmony. It reflects a holistic approach to the concept of restoration and blessing. Although the judgmental language in Hosea is directed primarily at the sinful community of Israel (and Judah), the state of sinfulness extends to the land and all of its inhabitants (so 4:1-3). Just so, God’s promised restoration extends comprehensively to the land and all of its inhabitants. (J. Andrew Dearman, The Book of Hosea, 126)
What’s vital to note in this second half of Hosea 2?
- The radical love of God.
(vv. 2:1-15 | Psalm 86:15; John 3:16; 15:13; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 5:25; 1 John 4:8)
Woo (Piel of pata) can also be translated “seduce,” “entice,” or “court” in those contexts where a man or woman attempts to persuade a member of the opposite sex of their interest in or affection for them. (J. Andrew Dearman, The Book of Hosea, 121)
The fundamental response to God’s radical love for us is for us to radically love Him. (Mark Dever, Discipling, 15)
Throughout Scripture, God is seen as a faithful, devoted Husband who is intensely jealous for an exclusive relationship with His wife… The next time you sin, picture your husband (spouse) locked in a passionate embrace with a woman he met over the Internet… Try to feel the intensity of the shock, the rejection, the pain, the anger that would well up from the innermost part of your being upon discovering the truth. Then realize that what you would experience would be just a minuscule glimpse of the way God feels about our sin. (Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Holiness, The Heart God Purifies, 73)
- The tender mercy of God.
(vv. 14-15 | Micah 7:18; Matt. 9:13; Ephesians 2:4-5; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 4:16; 2 Peter 3:9)
In the wilderness, Yahweh will “speak comfort to her” (Hos. 2:14). In Hebrew, the literal meaning is “speak to her heart.” The expression is found in the context of courtship (Gen. 34:3; Judg. 19:3) as well as in other passages communicating comfort (Ruth 2:13; Isa. 40:2). The message Yahweh wanted the people of Israel to hear was one of new deliverance and hope. (Ogilvie, 39)
God doesn’t try to force His people to love him. Instead, He “allures” (woos) them as a lover woos his beloved, seeking her hand in marriage. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Amazed: Minor Prophets, 20)
- The restorative action of God.
(vv. 16-20 | Is. 61:7; Jer. 30:17; Joel 2:25-26; Zechariah 9:12; Acts 3:19-21; 1 Peter 5:10)
Another link between verses 14-15 and verses 16-17 is the language of marriage. What God predicts, even commands, is more than a turning from the use of the name Baal (‘lord’ or ‘master’) for Yahweh; it is also the gift of a warmer, more intimate name: my husband. (David Allan Hubbard, Hosea, 85)
God does deal with our sins, but only in such a way as for our good. He does not deal with us as our sins deserve, which would be punishment, but as His grace provides, which is for our good. (Jerry Bridges, Transforming Grace, 40)
[God] will never cease to help us until we cease to need. (C. H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, Commentary for Psalm 4:1)
- The hope-filled promises of God.
(vv. 16, 18, 21-23 | Ps. 84:11 Is. 41:10 ; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 1:20)
The land’s renewed fertility will be expressed by bountiful crops (vv. 21-22a). That fruitfulness would be God’s “answer” to Israel’s need. “Jezreel” must be the name of Israel whom God himself will “sow” in the renewed land (vv. 22b-23a). In judgment God scattered Israel (1:4 f.). In renewal he will sow them. (Billy K. Smith, Layman’s Bible Book Commentary, Vol. 13, 21)
“Ishi” means “my husband” in Hebrew and “Baali” means “my master.” Both terms were used by Jewish wives when addressing their husbands, but in the future kingdom, every Jew will call God “my Husband,” for the divine marriage relationship will be restored. Israel will no longer prostitute herself before idols, but will love and serve the true living God. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Amazed: Minor Prophets, 21)
Conclusion… How can the message of Hosea 2 fuel hope in us today? By realizing that…
A. Your valley of trouble can become a door of hope in the hands of God.
(Ps. 39:7; Is. 40:31; Jer. 29:11; Rom. 5:5; 12:12; 15:4; Heb. 4:16; 11:1; 1 Peter 1:3)
Faith brings a man empty to God, that he may be filled with the blessings of Christ. (John Calvin, Commentary on Galatians and Ephesians, 151)
Life has its valleys. Dark, shadowy places of haunting memories of previous failures; narrow passes of self-condemnation and remorse. Our valleys block our vision of the future and close us in on the past. These spiritual valleys are surrounded by mountain peaks of promise we did not grasp and hope we could regain if only we could climb out of the lowlands of remembered sin. Hosea 2:14-23 teaches us how to sing in these valleys of life. (Ogilvie, 39)
B. God is a god of transformative redemption.
(Ps. 51:10-12; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 3:10)
Christ will never be found the Savior of those who know nothing of following His example. Saving faith and real converting grace will always produce some conformity to the image of Jesus (Col. 3:10). (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 67)
Just as the diamonds on a jeweler’s counter shine more brilliantly when set upon a dark velvet pad, so Christ’s redemptive work shines more brilliantly when contrasted with our sin and the consequent curse that was upon us. (Jerry Bridges, The Gospel for Real Life, 86)
When the Bible says that we are redeemed, it is saying we have been bought out of slavery, so we as Christians have been bought and brought out of slavery to sin. Christ’s death was the price paid for our freedom from sin. Christ’s death is how God has redeemed us from our slavery to sin. (Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, 74)
Gospel Connection…
God demonstrated his love for us in this, that while we were still in our sin, he sent a Savior.
(Mat. 4:17; John 3:16; 15:13; Rom. 5:6; 5:8; Ephesians 4:22-24; Titus 3:5; 1 John 3:2; 4:19)
We all have our Valleys of Achor, memories of sin and failure. The liberating news is that the One who offered a door of hope to Israel came in Christ to be that door. With divine authority, Christ said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved …. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:9-10). (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, 41)
If we want proof of God’s love for us, then we must look first at the Cross where God offered up His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Calvary is the one objective, absolute, irrefutable proof of God’s love for us. (Jerry Bridges, Trusting God, 138)
While our strongest faith is unable to save us, the weakest faith in Christ grasps a mighty Savior in whom we may rest our souls. (Richard Phillips, Assured by God, 84)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- How does God treat Israel despite her unfaithfulness? How does he treat us in ours? What does this teach us about God?
- How does the figurative language about husband and wife help us to understand the relationship between God and Israel?
- How can the promises of God offer hope in times of trouble? How have you had to lean on those promises in the past?
- How does this passage remind you of the relationship you have with God?
Quotes to note…
Your life is to be lived in such a way as to reflect Him, to show the world the character of God—His love, His peace, His mercy, His gentleness. You are to live for Him, to accomplish His will. To miss this purpose is to miss fulfillment. It is to have existed rather than to have lived. (Kay Arthur, Lord, I Want to Know You, 24)
Jesus came not only to teach but to save, not only to reveal God to human beings, but also to redeem human beings for God. This is because our major problem is not our ignorance but our sin and guilt. (John Stott, Life in Christ, 16)
The offer of love always demands an answer. So the metaphor of the door also extends to the door of our own hearts, which must be opened before we have the motivation and the will to go through the door of hope. (Ogilvie, 42)
Just as He led her through the wilderness and “married” her at Sinai, so God will meet His beloved in the wilderness in the last days and lead her into her land and her glorious kingdom. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Amazed: Minor Prophets, 21)
YHWH should no longer be called ba‘al, but it would be a sign of covenant intimacy to call him husband. It is a metaphor, signifying intimacy as well as indicating more mutuality between God and people than was found in the hierarchy and role specificity of a Canaanite pantheon. (J. Andrew Dearman, The Book of Hosea, 121)
Remembering that the goal of the previous threats of 2:2-13 was not destruction, but restoration, the therefore signals a propitious transition to what God will do about His bride. Though she forgets Him (2:13), He will not forget her; though she is helplessly entangled, He will help her. Yahweh will allure Israel into the wilderness so that she will be alone with Him, free of the enticements of the Baals. The wilderness recalls Israel’s youth, the time between the Exodus from Egypt and the entry into the promised land. (Ogilvie, 39)
The omniscience of God is a wonder. The omnipotence of God is a wonder. God’s spotless holiness is a wonder. None of these things can we understand. But the greatest wonder of all is the mercy of God. (Andrew Murray, Have Mercy upon Me, 34)
God’s gift of redemption says, “I will buy you back with My blood because I love you. I will free you from the chains of sin. I will settle the conflict within and give peace to your soul. But you must come to Me with a repentant heart. You must be willing to be redeemed. You must exchange your sin-blackened heart for a new heart that is cleansed by My blood.” (Billy Graham, The Reason for My Hope, 59)
We are all trophies of God’s grace, some more dramatically than others; Jesus came for the sick and not the well, for the sinner and not the righteous. He came to redeem and transform, to make all things new. May you go forth more committed than ever to nourish the souls who you touch, those tender lives who have sustained the enormous assaults of the universe. (Phillip Yancey, What Good Is God? In Search of a Faith That Matters, 88)