Hosea 4:6 – Knowing God

Hosea 4:6 – Knowing God

2004059

Topic # 0688 (Hosea)

Introduction:

A. The rich are getting richer. Prosperity reigns. It’s the wealthiest time in our history.

1. The country is recognized as a powerful & influential leader in the world.

B. While pleasure and the high life is going on – moral decal is rampant.

1. Dishonesty in business, poor ethics are common place.

2. Illicit sex is glorified. Sex is everywhere. Every provocative and ungodly practice seems to be held up as being acceptable.

3. Crime is ever present. Stealing, murder, and extortion go unabated.

C. In religious matters…

1. People are largely without knowledge. Spiritual illiteracy is rampant.

2. People are largely ignorant of God & His laws.

3. Corruption and outright blasphemy are practiced openly in some religious circles.

4. Some religious leaders cooperate with and refuse to call sin sin. They refuse to preach against the selfish acquisitive, materialism of the day.

D. Which day & time have I just described? 2004 America? 8^th centuries before Jesus in Israel?

1. Interesting in how even though everything has changed, everything has stayed the same.

2. Godly expectations do not change because the nature of sin does not change.

3. What problemed men in Hosea’s day – are the same problems we face today. They’ve just repackaged themselves in 21^st century wrapping.

E. Entering a month long study on Hosea. Will take in-depth looks at key passages in this book.

1. Today: 4:6 – My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.

2. Next week: 6:4 – Your faithfulness is like a morning cloud.

3. 12//19 – 6:6 – I desire Mercy – Not Sacrifice

4. 12/26 – 10:12-13 – Sowing & Reaping

I. Getting to Know Hosea.

A. Hosea, a prophet, lived in northern kingdom of Israel in latter half of 8^th century BC.

1. He lived during same time as Jonah, Joel, Isaiah, and Amos.

2. Nothing is said of his early life or his native home.

a) His message is brought as though he is a native and is filled with loving kindness.

b) Some have suggested that Hosea was a priest.

B. One of the most memorable facts in the book is that Hosea was directed to marry a wife of harlotry. (1:2-9) Hosea’s wife: Gomer.

1. Gomer could be characterized as a woman of the age. Brought up under the influence of idolatry.

2. Her relationship with Hosea parallels God’s relationship with Israel.

a) Note carefully as you read these verses – no mention of Hosea being the father of the children conceived.

3. Gomer’s 3 children:

a) 1:3-4 – son – Jezreel. (God will scatter.) God was going to scatter the people from him.

b) 1:6-7 – daughter – Lo-Ruhamah. (No mercy.) God would have no more compassion on Israel.

c) 1:8-9 – son – Lo-Ammi (Not My People.) This symbolized God’s utter rejection of Israel for repeated spiritual adultery.

C. Because of Hosea’s personal experiences, he, better than anyone, could relate to God’s pain because of the spiritual condition of the people.

1. It was through the pain of Hosea’s personal experience that God would emphasize the dismal spiritual condition of the times.

2. Hosea would have firmly grasped the feelings of God toward His people.

II. We must pursue a relationship with God.

A. Nothing more important than knowing God in a deep, personal way.

1. Knowing God offers life abundant.

2. Knowing God is the source of wisdom and strength to endure hard times.

3. Knowing God is the purpose for which we were created!

a) Its life greatest privilege & our most urgent need!

b) If we go w/o knowing God, we, too, will be destroyed for a lack of knowledge.

B. 4:1 – God began by exhorting his people to listen. To pay close attention.

1. Context has overtones of legal argumentation & as you read…the controversy is VERY personal.

a) God’s people had rejected Him & forgotten Him.

b) This was the case – even though Israel claimed to have a relationship w/God – to be a people of faith. They felt they needed no help.

2. 2 accusations in 4:1

a) 4:1c – a lack of integrity or obedience to the Father. They willfully turned away from God’s expectations.

b) 4:1d – Hebrew word here goes farther than a simple understanding of knowledge or having a personal acquaintance w/someone.

c) Israel lacked an intimate, personal relationship. Spiritual oneness with God – as husband/wife relationship was designed.

3. Our love for God must spring from within. Involves everything we are intellectually, emotionally, and volitionally.

C. Intimacy and integrity are important aspects of the relationship. Obedience to the truth is the secret in growing in the knowledge of God.

D. Israel lacked both & it showed. 4:2-5

III. There are consequences for not knowing God.

A. 4:6 – 2 accusations in this verse.

1. 4:6b – rejected knowledge. God said they rejected the personal, intimate relationship God called them into.

a) They chose to cut themselves off from communication with God. They chose to isolate themselves from God.

2. 4:6c – forgot the law of God.

a) The law, revealed at Sinai, called them to obedience, accountability, and a lifestyle of integrity.

b) Little by little, their awareness of biblical truth faded until now they could not remember it anymore.

B. There are people today with whom God could make the same accusations.

1. Not a Christian? Already a Christian, but not pursing an intimate relationship? Know what God’s desire for you is, but still refuse to obey?

a) Why choose NOT to communicate w/God? So bold that you can get along w/o Him?

b) Why choose to ISOLATE yourself from God?

2. There are people today who have forgotten the law of the Lord.

a) Over time drift away & now worship their own idols of pleasure & wickedness. Mt. 16:26

b) People today spiritually naked – and yet feel as if need nothing.

3. Why continue this way? Wake up! Look at your life!

4. No such thing as holding your own. Either move to or away from God.

C. Consequences of rejecting God.

1. 4:5 – we end up being an embarrassment.

a) By our example – we can show others around us how to live life & can make truth of Scripture relevant to our neighbors.

b) When we disregard truth – we stumble & fall flat on face.

c) Embarrassment to God & self.

2. 4:5-6 – we will be destroyed.

a) Reject God – face judgment. Reject God – get ready fro destruction & ruin.

b) Israel – never became a nation again.

c) 2 Thess 1:7-8 – what happens to those who reject God?

3. 4:6c – God will ultimately let us go. I will also forget your children.

a) This time he wasn’t going to hold out for hope in a newer, younger generation.

b) God was finished. When men harden their heart against God –

c) God will step away & let us go. He will let us live the way we want to live. He will turn his back and allow us to go our own way.

4. Doug Goins: It is a frightening thing as a believer to come to the place where God has removed his resources and let us go.

5. Have you hardened your heart to the point that God has stepped away? Are you alone in your sins?

IV. Do we really know God?

A. Easy to talk superficially about knowing God.

1. Easy to say that we “know” God through following a set up formulas in scripture.

2. But yet…do we really know God?

B. Do we have a relationship w/the savior?

1. IN Jesus, God opened up & revealed his innermost heart. God held nothing back.

a) nothing left out – John 14:9

b) Out of unreserved love he offered the dearest & nearest to Him.

2. Jesus is the redeemer, the reconciler, and restorer of man to God.

C. Our knowledge of & relationship with God begins and never ends with Jesus. (John 14:6)

D. Look at the high priestly prayer (John 17)

1. 17:3 – look at Jesus’ relationship with the Father.

2. Consider our responsibility to live in obedience to the revealed word.

3. Consider 17:7, 16-17

4. God wants an intimate & deep personal relationship w/us & this is done by placing His word in our heart.

5. Just like Israel of old – we have been called to integrity & to live in obedience to biblical truth.

6. We’ve been called to respond w/our heart out of sincere love/appreciation for God.

E. Do we share Paul’s desire? Phil. 3:8, 10. It was his passion.

1. He shared it with the Corinthians – 1 Cor. 2:2

2. He wrote about it to Timothy – 2 Tim. 1:12

How can we really know God?

A. It’s about our hearts. Have you given Him your heart?

B. It’s about a life of prayer & living by the Scripture.

C. It’s about cultivating relationships w/others who are serious about knowing Him.

D. Knowing God is more important that personal power, position, or portfolio.

1. Yet often nothing seems to be lacking more in our lives.

2. Mt. 16:26

3. Can you repeat Paul’s writing – Phil. 3:8-11?

4. Obey the gospel today!

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Hosea 4:6 – Knowing God 2004059 Topic # 0688 (Hosea) Introduction: A. The rich are getting richer. Prosperity reigns. It’s the wealthiest time in our history. 1. The country is recognized as a powerful & influential leader in the world. B. While pleasure and the high life is going on – moral decal is rampant. 1. Dishonesty in business, poor ethics are common place. 2. Illicit sex is glorified. Sex is everywhere. Every provocative and ungodly practice seems to be held up as being acceptable. 3. Crime is ever present. Stealing, murder, and extortion go unabated. C. In religious matters… 1. People are largely without knowledge. Spiritual illiteracy is rampant. 2. People are largely ignorant of God & His laws. 3. Corruption and outright blasphemy are practiced openly in some religious circles. 4. Some religious leaders cooperate with and refuse to call sin sin. They refuse to preach against the selfish acquisitive, materialism of the day. D. Which day & time have I just described? 2004 America? 8^th centuries before Jesus in Israel? 1. Interesting in how even though everything has changed, everything has stayed the same. 2. Godly expectations do not change because the nature of sin does not change. 3. What problemed men in Hosea’s day – are the same problems we face today. They’ve just repackaged themselves in 21^st century wrapping. E. Entering a month long study on Hosea. Will take in-depth looks at key passages in this book. 1. Today: 4:6 – My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. 2. Next week: 6:4 – Your faithfulness is like a morning cloud. 3. 12//19 – 6:6 – I desire Mercy – Not Sacrifice 4. 12/26 – 10:12-13 – Sowing & Reaping I. Getting to Know Hosea. A. Hosea, a prophet, lived in northern kingdom of Israel in latter half of 8^th century BC. 1. He lived during same time as Jonah, Joel, Isaiah, and Amos. 2. Nothing is said of his early life or his native home. a) His message is brought as though he is a native and is filled with loving kindness. b) Some have suggested that Hosea was a priest. B. One of the most memorable facts in the book is that Hosea was directed to marry a wife of harlotry. (1:2-9) Hosea’s wife: Gomer. 1. Gomer could be characterized as a woman of the age. Brought up under the influence of idolatry. 2. Her relationship with Hosea parallels God’s relationship with Israel. a) Note carefully as you read these verses – no mention of Hosea being the father of the children conceived. 3. Gomer’s 3 children: a) 1:3-4 – son – Jezreel. (God will scatter.) God was going to scatter the people from him. b) 1:6-7 – daughter – Lo-Ruhamah. (No mercy.) God would have no more compassion on Israel. c) 1:8-9 – son – Lo-Ammi (Not My People.) This symbolized God’s utter rejection of Israel for repeated spiritual adultery. C. Because of Hosea’s personal experiences, he, better than anyone, could relate to God’s pain because of the spiritual condition of the people. 1. It was through the pain of Hosea’s personal experience that God would emphasize the dismal spiritual condition of the times. 2. Hosea would have firmly grasped the feelings of God toward His people. II. We must pursue a relationship with God. A. Nothing more important than knowing God in a deep, personal way. 1. Knowing God offers life abundant. 2. Knowing God is the source of wisdom and strength to endure hard times. 3. Knowing God is the purpose for which we were created! a) Its life greatest privilege & our most urgent need! b) If we go w/o knowing God, we, too, will be destroyed for a lack of knowledge. B. 4:1 – God began by exhorting his people to listen. To pay close attention. 1. Context has overtones of legal argumentation & as you read…the controversy is VERY personal. a) God’s people had rejected Him & forgotten Him. b) This was the case – even though Israel claimed to have a relationship w/God – to be a people of faith. They felt they needed no help. 2. 2 accusations in 4:1 a) 4:1c – a lack of integrity or obedience to the Father. They willfully turned away from God’s expectations. b) 4:1d – Hebrew word here goes farther than a simple understanding of knowledge or having a personal acquaintance w/someone. c) Israel lacked an intimate, personal relationship. Spiritual oneness with God – as husband/wife relationship was designed. 3. Our love for God must spring from within. Involves everything we are intellectually, emotionally, and volitionally. C. Intimacy and integrity are important aspects of the relationship. Obedience to the truth is the secret in growing in the knowledge of God. D. Israel lacked both & it showed. 4:2-5 III. There are consequences for not knowing God. A. 4:6 – 2 accusations in this verse. 1. 4:6b – rejected knowledge. God said they rejected the personal, intimate relationship God called them into. a) They chose to cut themselves off from communication with God. They chose to isolate themselves from God. 2. 4:6c – forgot the law of God. a) The law, revealed at Sinai, called them to obedience, accountability, and a lifestyle of integrity. b) Little by little, their awareness of biblical truth faded until now they could not remember it anymore. B. There are people today with whom God could make the same accusations. 1. Not a Christian? Already a Christian, but not pursing an intimate relationship? Know what God’s desire for you is, but still refuse to obey? a) Why choose NOT to communicate w/God? So bold that you can get along w/o Him? b) Why choose to ISOLATE yourself from God? 2. There are people today who have forgotten the law of the Lord. a) Over time drift away & now worship their own idols of pleasure & wickedness. Mt. 16:26 b) People today spiritually naked – and yet feel as if need nothing. 3. Why continue this way? Wake up! Look at your life! 4. No such thing as holding your own. Either move to or away from God. C. Consequences of rejecting God. 1. 4:5 – we end up being an embarrassment. a) By our example – we can show others around us how to live life & can make truth of Scripture relevant to our neighbors. b) When we disregard truth – we stumble & fall flat on face. c) Embarrassment to God & self. 2. 4:5-6 – we will be destroyed. a) Reject God – face judgment. Reject God – get ready fro destruction & ruin. b) Israel – never became a nation again. c) 2 Thess 1:7-8 – what happens to those who reject God? 3. 4:6c – God will ultimately let us go. I will also forget your children. a) This time he wasn’t going to hold out for hope in a newer, younger generation. b) God was finished. When men harden their heart against God – c) God will step away & let us go. He will let us live the way we want to live. He will turn his back and allow us to go our own way. 4. Doug Goins: It is a frightening thing as a believer to come to the place where God has removed his resources and let us go. 5. Have you hardened your heart to the point that God has stepped away? Are you alone in your sins? IV. Do we really know God? A. Easy to talk superficially about knowing God. 1. Easy to say that we “know” God through following a set up formulas in scripture. 2. But yet…do we really know God? B. Do we have a relationship w/the savior? 1. IN Jesus, God opened up & revealed his innermost heart. God held nothing back. a) nothing left out – John 14:9 b) Out of unreserved love he offered the dearest & nearest to Him. 2. Jesus is the redeemer, the reconciler, and restorer of man to God. C. Our knowledge of & relationship with God begins and never ends with Jesus. (John 14:6) D. Look at the high priestly prayer (John 17) 1. 17:3 – look at Jesus’ relationship with the Father. 2. Consider our responsibility to live in obedience to the revealed word. 3. Consider 17:7, 16-17 4. God wants an intimate & deep personal relationship w/us & this is done by placing His word in our heart. 5. Just like Israel of old – we have been called to integrity & to live in obedience to biblical truth. 6. We’ve been called to respond w/our heart out of sincere love/appreciation for God. E. Do we share Paul’s desire? Phil. 3:8, 10. It was his passion. 1. He shared it with the Corinthians – 1 Cor. 2:2 2. He wrote about it to Timothy – 2 Tim. 1:12 How can we really know God? A. It’s about our hearts. Have you given Him your heart? B. It’s about a life of prayer & living by the Scripture. C. It’s about cultivating relationships w/others who are serious about knowing Him. D. Knowing God is more important that personal power, position, or portfolio. 1. Yet often nothing seems to be lacking more in our lives. 2. Mt. 16:26 3. Can you repeat Paul’s writing – Phil. 3:8-11? 4. Obey the gospel today! E. I N V I T A T I O N