Minor Prophets : Major Lessons

Hosea : A Lesson in
Spiritual Adultery
Hosea 1:2
When the Lord began to speak by
Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea:
"Go, take yourself a wife of
harlotry And children of harlotry,
For the land has committed great
harlotry By departing from the
Lord."
 Spiritual Adultery
• I tried to find a picture (not too graphic) of
adultery.
When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea:
"Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry
• I And
found this one on a church website in
children of harlotry,
California. Picture = 1,000 words.
For the land has committed great harlotry

By departing from the Lord."

Hosea 1:2 (NKJV)
 Hosea Background

• Many misunderstand the message of Hosea.

• This book does NOT teach that harlots are OK
and pure.
• This book is NOT teaching it is OK to marry
anyone with any background.
• Hosea is about SPIRITUAL ADULTERY.
For the land has committed great harlotry
by departing from the Lord (1:2b)
 Hosea Background

• God commands him to marry a prostitute

named Gomer. (1:2)
• When she is not faithful to him – God
commands that he buy her back. (3:1-3)
• Hosea is an graphic illustration of God
dealing with a people who are unfaithful
to Him.
 Hosea Background

• Gomer gives birth to 3 children.

• Son – Jezreel – God sows (scatters) = This is a
son of Hosea. (1:4)
• Daughter – Loruhamah – No mercy = No
affection, Hosea is not sure. (1:6)
• Son – Loammi – Not my people = Not a son of
Hosea. (1:9)
 Hosea Outline

• Hosea's marriage and children – a type of

God's relationship to Israel – (1 – 3)
• God's charges against Israel – (4:1 – 6:3)
• God's decison to judge (punish) – (6:4 –
10:15)
• God's resolution in judgment and mercy
– (11 – 14)
1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL
ADULTERY

• God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL

ADULTERY
• Israel was God's bride
2:16 "And it shall be, in that day," Says the
Lord, "That you will call Me 'My
Husband,' And no longer call Me 'My
Master,'
1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL
ADULTERY

• Israel was God's bride

• Christians (church) are the bride of Christ
• Study these passages : Ephesians 5;
Revelation 22:17; Matthew 25:1-13
• We MUST remain faithful to Christ
1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL
ADULTERY

• Israel was God's bride

• Christians (church) are the bride of Christ
• Study these passages : Ephesians 5;
Revelation 22:17; Matthew 25:1-13
• We MUST remain faithful to Christ
1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL
ADULTERY

• Do Christians have an “idol” problem?

• The idol of Clothing – shop till you drop –
Clothing can become more important
than God.
• The idol of Cash – The love of money is
still causing many to commit spiritual
adultery
1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL
ADULTERY

• Do Christians have an “idol” problem?

• The idol of Children – love your children
but not more than God.
• The idol of Property – One lady missed
church because she had to clean her
house.
1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL
ADULTERY

• Do Christians have an “idol” problem?

• The idol of Friends – Have you ever
stayed home from church because
company came?
• The idol of Possessions – Many wash
their car when they should be in church.
1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL
ADULTERY

• Do Christians have an “idol” problem?

• The idol of Pets – Pets are wonderful
compaions. Will you give your pet more
than you give God?
• The idol of Career – Some are “married”
to their work. They make their work,
their life.
1 God views IDOLATRY as SPIRITUAL
ADULTERY

• Do Christians have an “idol” problem?

• The idol of Sports – Some miss Bible class
and worship so they can play some sport.
• ANYTHING, ANYONE that takes a higher
place than God is your idol and you are
comitting spiritual adultery.
2 Backsliding follows a pattern

• Rejection of the Bible (4:1-2)

1 Hear the word of the Lord, You children of
Israel, For the Lord brings a charge against the
inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or
mercy Or knowledge of God in the land. 2 By
swearing and lying, Killing and stealing and
committing adultery,They break all restraint,
With bloodshed upon bloodshed.
2 Backsliding follows a pattern

• Rejection of the Bible (4:6)

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge, I also
will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your
God, I also will forget your children.
2 Backsliding follows a pattern

• Rejection of the Bible

• Temptation to turn away (4:7-11)
Prosperity "The more they increased, The more they
sinned against Me; I will change their glory into
shame. (4:7)
Not satisfied For they shall eat, but not have enough;
They shall commit harlotry, but not increase;
Because they have ceased obeying the Lord. (4:10)
2 Backsliding follows a pattern

• Rejection of the Bible

• Temptation to turn away (4:7-11)
• Follow after idols (4:12-19)
My people ask counsel from their wooden idols, And
their staff informs them. For the spirit of harlotry has
caused them to stray, And they have played the
harlot against their God. (4:12)
3 God's love is unchanging

"I will heal their backsliding, I will love

them freely, For My anger has turned away
from him. (14:4)
Man must repent - - Take words with you,
And return to the Lord. Say to Him, "Take
away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For
we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.
(14:2)
3 God's love is unchanging

God will restore - - Who is wise? Let him

understand these things. Who is prudent?
Let him know them. For the ways of the
Lord are right; The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them. (14:9)
SPIRITUAL ADULTERY?

What would Hosea say to us – today?

Are there “idols” in your life?
While God is loving you, are you holding hands
with an “idol”?

ARE YOU GUILTY OF

SPIRITUAL ADULTERY?