HOSEA’S TEST

Time with Jesus - 15 Aug. 2013

Hi all,

In most parts of the world, people write examinations in order to acquire a qualification. In UK because of the number of children, there were two “types” of education. Types may be a misnomer. 

Originally there were “two streams” in secondary schooling. Theoretically, one “stream” was likely to seek tertiary education. This usually meant attending a university or similar. These children attended a “grammar school”. The other “stream” was more likely to become a “blue-collar” worker, a tradesman or similar. These children attended a “secondary modern” school.

The “stream” you entered was decided by passing an examination called the 11+. Those who passed attended the grammar school. Those who didn’t attended the secondary modern school. There was another alternative. If your parents could afford the fees, you could attend a Public School such as Eaton or Harrow. Doing so could improve the youngster’s chances of being admitted to university.

The South African education system has also gone through much trauma over the past 20 years. To some extent part came about as a result of where “learners” lived. Schooling in the rural areas was not of a high standard. It’s unnecessary to spell out what took place in detail. We know education standards have been reduced. Furthermore, a child could not “fail” a grade. They passed on the bases of time spent at school. 

The outcome is that South African Universities now require learners to pass their entrance examination. Furthermore, many of the qualifications from South African Universities are no longer accepted internationally. Perhaps the best comment about our current education system is that it’s a “minefield”!

Hosea - The tragic tale of Love

Hosea was confronted with an examination unprecedented in Jewish History. He was the last prophet God sent to take His message to the Northern Kingdom. Hosea prophesied during a dark and melancholic era of Israel's history, the period of the Northern Kingdom's decline and fall in the 8th century BC. 

The apostasy of the people was rampant, having turned away from God in order to serve the animals of King Jeroboam and Baal, a Canaanite god. During Hosea's lifetime, the kings of the Northern Kingdom, their aristocratic supporters, and the priests led the people away from the Law of God, as given in the Pentateuch. 

The Prophet of God's Love
for His people

Forsaking the worship of God, they worshiped other gods, especially Baal, the Canaanite fertility god. Other sins followed, including homicide, perjury, theft, and sexual sin. Hosea declared that unless they repented of these sins, God will allow their nation to be destroyed. The people would be taken into captivity.

Hosea the brokenhearted
husband, shows us our
Brokenhearted God

Hosea was townsman from Israel. He was sent by God to “woo” Israel and appeal to them to return to Him. He spoke of Godly mercy and Divine love. He emphasised God’s great “pity” for His people in spite of sin and idolatry. Hosea brought a message indicating the people needed to get to “know” God in the face of national sin.

Jesus bought us back from Satan
for the price of a slave

Hosea’s “trial” was to marry a prostitute who would not love him. It is a picture of Israel’s situation as far as God was concerned. The people were in a covenant relationship with God, similar to the covenant relationship between husband and wife. 

Hosea buys his wife back from her
owner for the price of a female slave

The “historic” portion of the book tells how he married a prostitute Gomer. They had children three children. Gomer proved to be unfaithful and wandered back into prostitution where she became enslaved. Finally, Hosea “bought her” back from her owners and restored her as his wife.

It’s a tragic story revealing the love of God, even for a nation deeply in sin. God saw Israel as a prostitute who was only interested in worshipping and serving foreign gods. 

Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces; now He will heal us.
Hosea 6:1a

Hosea’s experiences with Gomer were a reflection of what God saw in His people in the Northern Kingdom. They refused to repent and in 722BC the people of the Northern Kingdom were defeated and taken into captivity by the Assyrians. They were warned and wouldn’t repent.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Marry a Prostitute

Hosea's Love for Gomer the Prostitute is picture of
God's love for you and me!

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 15 August 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	HOSEA’S TEST
There has been a lot of talk in recent years concerning the validity of modern prophets. It appears that there are three main views on this. The one view is that there is no such thing. Those who claim they are modern-day prophets must be charlatans, or liars, or both. This is always a possibility. I suspect that every Old Testament prophet, with the exception of Moses, would have disassociated themselves immediately with the claim. The truth of prophet-hood would be established about 100 years after they had died! The second view is that they are plentiful today. The difference is the understanding of what is meant by being a modern-day prophet. Mostly what they bring, is in line with Paul’s comments to the Corinthians: 3 But those who prophesy speak to people for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.1 Corinthians 14:3 TNIV In the good old King Jimmy version these words are, for edification, exhortation, and comfort. In that sense, each and every Christian may prophesy. That includes you and me! (Perish the thought) The third and final group are those who don’t care one way or the other. If they like what they hear – great! If not – “What’s for lunch?” My position is very convenient. I’m a “card- carrying, fence-sitter”! There are aspects of the first and the second views I love. I believe there are men and women called prophets today. But I object strongly to those who are self-proclaimed Prophets. Frankly I’ve heard and read some of the most outrageous garbage masquerading as the prophetic word. I’ve also come across very ordinary men and women through whom the Spirit of God has spoken. They seldom realise it. If they thought for one moment that they were “prophetic”, they would run away. The Old Testament Prophets were often called upon by God to do some extraordinary things. In this regard, read some of the things Ezekiel was required to do. Isaiah was told to go and speak to a people who would not listen. Jeremiah went through the most horrendous life experiences. However, for me the one who really “takes the biscuit” was the prophet Hosea. He was told to marry a prostitute who would not love him. The Lord was showing through the life of His prophet, what it was like to be in covenant with a people who didn’t love Him. They preferred to go and chase after other gods. That’s exactly what Hosea did. He married a woman called “Gomer” the daughter of Diblaim. In “fairy stories”, they all lived happily ever after. In real life this seldom happens. This woman had no intention of changing her ways and being faithful to her husband. In no time at all, she was back “on the streets” following the oldest profession in the world. She left him and became the slave of her lover! Then the Lord commanded Hosea to buy her back, for the price of an ordinary female slave. He did! What shocks us today is that God would do such a thing. We are told in the New Testament not to touch the filthy things of unbelievers. So what do we do today with men like Hosea and women like Gomer? I don’t have the answer. I do know what usually happens when a Christian marries an unbeliever. My recommendation from personal experience is, “Don’t do it!” Jim & Phyllida Strickland			14 "But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. Hosea 2:14 NLT	Hosea; O Hosea! What a dreadful test. To have to marry someone who was second-hand at best! A prostitute; delighted to be with other men, Who didn’t do it once or twice, but time and time again! To then be told to look for her; return her to the fold. What a shock to find her, while she was being sold. And yet, you bought her back again and spoke so tenderly. I’m not sure I could take it Lord, if that was done to me. I think that I would run away as far as I could go! To go back to a prostitute? – O Lord I do not know. But Gomer was a picture of Your people, Israel. Who thought that they could serve You and other gods as well? This was prostitution in Your tender, loving eyes. Serving Baal or Molech was a thing which You despise. Hosea’s test was something, to tell us about You. About the things, Almighty God, that You have had to do! Your people were unfaithful; with other gods they whored. The covenant they had with you, they totally ignored. And though you took them back again innumerable times, The day would come when they would have to pay for all their crimes. “Leave the unbelievers! Don’t touch their filthy things! Shun all their unfaithfulness, their jewels and their rings! Be My sons and daughters and I will welcome you. Dedicate yourselves to being faithful, pure and true. Clothe yourselves with holiness in body, soul and mind. Jesus’ blood will cleanse you and you will surely find, That when you’ve gone to be with Him and dwell outside the camp, There’ll be no incentive for you to be a tramp! Come aside and be with Him where you can rest awhile. Come to a deserted place where you can’t be defiled. Then I’ll be your Shepherd and you will be my sheep. Thoroughly restored; by quiet waters, you I’ll keep. Let Me lead and guide you in the paths of righteousness. Leave that ugly lifestyle and surely I will bless. And you will be forever, in pastures which are green. No longer a prostitute; instead you’ll be My queen!” Jim Strickland Written 15th August 2012
			17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. " 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 NLT
			1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 NLT
			12 So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make His people holy by means of His own blood. 13 So let us go out to Him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace He bore. Hebrews 13:12-13 NLT
			31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31 ESV
			A psalm of David. 1 The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23:1-4 NIV