Hosea 6:11b-7:16

Hosea 6:11b-7:16

Buena Vista

I.                    We only go God’s way when see things God’s way, so we must see ourselves the way God sees us (7:3-16)

a.       Using pictures to describe the true vision of His people, God begins by likening them an improperly attended oven which is too hot and not evenly heated for baking. This speaks to their raw sexual appetites which burned out of control, their spiritual unfaithfulness, and also the greed, immorality, and lust for power and control which burned unquenched and moved people in leadership to act deceptively and even conspire to murder. All the people plotted, consumed, and lusted in their own strength and desires, constantly pursuing the world like an out of control fire, and never calling on God. We often justify and allow our emotions, passions, anger, or lust for recognition and power to fuel the fires that drive our lives. We burn out of control and leave destruction in our wake. Only walking in the Spirit will help us see clearly and not carry out the desires of the flesh. (Vv. 3-7; 1 Kgs. 15:10, 14, 25, 30; Rom. 8:5-13; Gal. 5:16, 19-23; Jas. 1:13-15)

b.       God’s second image describes His people as half-baked bread. Israel was contaminated by and overindulged in the world around them, didn’t steward their hearts properly, and like a cake which is never turned and baked in an oven which is too hot, they were burned on one side and unacceptable for serving. The top of the unbaked side which likely even looked golden and good to the eye; was still raw dough inside. Worse still is that they didn’t even know it. They had gone the wrong way so long, and justified themselves in their pride, that it never occurred to them to they were far away from God or needed to return to Him and seek Him! Is God calling us to see that we’re half-baked or lukewarm for Him because we’re so hot for the desires, fears, and worries of life? (Vv. 8-10; Josh. 16:20; Matt. 6:19-34; Luke 9:23-25; 1 John 2:15-17; Rev. 3:14-17)

c.       Now God switches up and compares Israel to a “silly” or senseless dove. The image here is of a homing pigeon that can’t find its way home. Israel had lusted after and lived for the world so long, that when trouble came they didn’t know what to do. Instead of turning to God, they immediately turned to other nations for help. The “flitted” from “ally to ally” in fear and gullibility, and ultimately God would teach them by letting them be conquered and held captive by the very sources of help for which they had neglected Him. Instead of turning to God, they strayed from Him, rebelled against Him, spoke lies against Him, and then when they finally cried out to God it wasn’t from a truly repentant heart. Even then, God desired to remediate and restore, if only they would turn to Him, but they refused. When we don’t belong distinctly to God, we don’t belong distinctly to anyone, and we conform our lives and the church to the world and forfeit the power of our witness and God’s peace in our lives. (Vv. 11-14; 2 Kgs. 15:19, 29; 17:1-6; Isa. 29:13-15; Matt. 15:7-9; Rom. 1:16-32; Gal. 1:6-12; Eph. 4:14-27)

d.       God called, delivered, and sustained His covenant people to set them apart for Himself for loving relationship and as a powerful witness to the lost world. But they had become proud, self-serving, and self-seeking; they turned in every direction for their needs, except to God. They were like a deceitful bow which would no longer shoot straight, so God would deliver them back into captivity. God redeems us for His glory, and when we’re truly being effective tools and weapons for God, the world sees amazing transformation in and through us which can only be explained by the power and glory of God. Can we truly say that’s true of us today? (Vv. 14-16; Ps. 78:52-57; Isa. 42:6-10; 45:20-23; 46:9-11; 49:6; Hab. 2:14; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Eph. 2:10)

II.                 We only go God’s way when see things God’s way, so we must trust that how God sees and how God works is the best     (6:11b-7:2)

a.       God shares the true picture of His people because He desires to restore and heal them. For this to happen, their sin must be exposed. When we don’t see our sin, whether because we don’t want to or we can’t, God sees clearly. He reveals time and again in His Word that He is willing to take any measure, even moving heaven and earth, in order to reveal our sin to us, our inability to save ourselves, and His willingness to save all who turn to Him in brokenness. Jesus sacrificed Himself to cover our iniquity eternally and transform us into a brand-new creature. Only repentant faith in Christ’s finished work changes God’s view of us. But we must diligently consider Him in our hearts, seek to discern His view of our lives, and eagerly embrace His Word, direction, and even discipline. We must trust that how God sees and how God works is the best for us! (6:11b-7:2; Luke 19:10; John 3:16; Rom. 3:21-26; 6:23; 8:1; 10:8-13; 2 Cor. 5:17, 21; Eph. 2:1-9; 3:20; Jas. 1:16-25; 1 John 1:8-9; Rev. 3:18-22)