The Book of Amos “Introduction”

The book of Amos was written by the prophet Amos. He was a shepherd, and a dresser of sycamore trees by trade. His prophecy was by inspiration of God, and lasted a very short time. Some scholars believe he prophesied just a few days. He prophesied during the reigns of Jeroboam the second in Israel, and Uzziah in Judah.

In the course of his writings, he used the expression "thus says the Lord" 40 times. He did not claim to be a professional prophet, and actually admitted to his lowly beginning. The name "Amos" means burden, or burden-bearer. And sense his message was mostly about the coming judgment of God on His people, he did indeed carry a heavy burden.

Chuck Swindoll writes, “More than almost any other book of Scripture, the book of Amos holds God’s people accountable for their ill-treatment of others. It repeatedly points out the failure of the people to fully embrace God’s idea of justice. They were selling off needy people for goods, taking advantage of the helpless, oppressing the poor, and the men were using women immorally (Amos 2:6–8; 3:10; 4:1; 5:11–12; 8:4–6). Drunk on their own economic success and intent on strengthening their financial position, the people had lost the concept of caring for one another; Amos rebuked them because he saw in that lifestyle evidence that Israel had forgotten God.”

The book of Amos has a timely word for all who hold themselves above others. Injustice is all around us today, and turning a “blind eye” to it, is not the answer. God has shown us what is good and what He requires of us in Micah 6:8, “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Not to embrace arrogance, self-righteousness, lawlessness, or materialism.

Amos communicated God’s utter disdain for the hypocritical lives of His people (Amos 5:21–24). His prophecy concludes with only a brief glimpse of restoration, and even that is directed to Judah, rather than the northern kingdom of Israel (9:11–15).

We will begin in chapter 1 tomorrow. God bless.

The Truth: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

Colossians 4 “Christian Graces”

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (vv.2-6)

Here in chapter 4:2-6, Paul gives us three very important "Christian graces," pray earnestly, walk wisely, and speak gracefully.

In verses 2-4 the encouragement is not to make room for prayer, because it is obvious that they did so, but to continue in it. How? individually, collectively as the men of the church, and corporately as a church body. Paul also requested prayer for himself, for divine appointments to share "the mystery of Christ" even through he was in chains.

Walking in wisdom (v. 5), simply means making godly decisions. What you do affects your witness, so do what is right! CH Spurgeon said, "A man’s life is always more forcible than his speech. When men take stock of him they reckon his deeds as dollars and his words as pennies. If his life and doctrine disagree, the mass of onlookers accept his practice and reject his preaching." So may God help us all to "walk our talk."

Finally, when speaking to others (v. 6), we are to extend the grace of God (that was given us) through seasoned words to the people around us. By doing this, we will deepen and enrich the lives of others by the graceful words the Spirit leads us to say. Lecturing, berating, condemnation or pulling rank, does not extend grace nor give anyone reason to receive our words. But listening, choosing our words carefully, and saying them with love and seasoned with salt (enough to get into the heart), this will minister to all who hear and see us.

"Tart words make no friends: spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a Gallon of Vinegar." (Benjamin Franklin 1744 )

The Truth: "He said unto her, 'Woman, where are your accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?' She said, 'No man LORD.' And Jesus said unto her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.'" (John 8:10-11)

Colossians 3 "Forgive One Another"

“Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (v.13)

An unforgiving spirit is often the last emotional fortress we yield to the power of God. Even as Christians, we may cling to anger and bitterness, feeling that those who have wronged us should suffer for their offenses. But when we realize how much God has forgiven us, we are compelled to extend mercy to others. The Bible urges us to "put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; . . . even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do,"

Here in chapter 3, Paul is teaching the brethren in Colossi to, "Put on the new man.” In verses 12-17, he speaks specifically of the “characteristics” of the new man – one of which is forgiveness, and the importance of forgiving one another. The seriousness of which becomes very clear in the light of God’s willingness to forgive us, by sending His Son to the death of the cross. Therefore, we can be absolutely certain that God takes forgiveness of sin very seriously.

As a result, we need to forgive those who have wronged us, even though it may be difficult. Holding a grudge can only due your spirit harm, hinder your prayers (1 Peter 3:7), and even your own forgiveness from the Lord (Matthew 6:14). Therefore forgive one another.

The Truth: "For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matthew 6:14) 

Colossians 2 "Walk In Him"

"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” (v.6)

What does it mean to “walk in Him?” The apostle Paul said this in Galatians concerning his walk, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (v.6). Meaning, Paul no longer lived for himself. He lived by faith in the Son of God who loved him and gave His life to change his.

The Christian walk is a process of growth in which we advance from one stage to the next: from spiritual infancy to maturity; from milk to strong meat; from being rooted in Christ to being firmly established. We may want to be grown up all at once, but we must learn to take one step at a time. That's how spiritual growth occurs.

If we will be led by Him, there will not only be deliverance from our old life, and its bad habits, but He will produce in us the fruit of holy living which will please God and refresh others.

Therefore, “Walk in Him.”

The Truth: “For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Colossians 1 "Delivered From Darkness"

“He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (vv.13-14)

In Colossians 1, Paul wrote to people who had come to know Jesus Christ and whose lives showed evidence of their faith, but whom he had never seen. After assuring them of his prayers for them, to know God’s will, and to please Him (vv.3-12), Paul used a powerful word picture to describe what God had done for them all: “He has delivered you (us) from the power of darkness and conveyed you (us) into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (vv.13-14).

Meaning, in Christ, we have been rescued! He has taken us from danger to safety; from one power and destiny (Satan and the pit), to another (Jesus and heaven); from death to life. But is that deliverance permanent? Does this mean, “once saved, always saved?” Can one now do whatever they want and be assured of salvation?

Paul speaking of being reconciled in Christ states, “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—If indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister” (vv.21-23).

Wow, that’s a pretty big “if” to consider. While each of us has been rescued from darkness, and would never consider open rebellion against God, there were (and are) false teachers/doctrines that slowly took (and still take) many off course, away from the hope of the gospel and faith in Jesus. So Paul warns them here of such heresies that were sprouting up concerning the nature of Jesus, that they might remain steadfast and continue in the faith.

I for one would not want to put my eternal hope in any such teaching or doctrine. I believe that we are eternally secure in Christ alone if we continue in the faith and abide in Jesus.

The Truth: “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Stepping outside of that in any shape or form knowingly or unknowingly puts us right back where we were...in darkness, needing to be reconciled back to God. 

Joel 3 “Blessing on God’s People”

“And it will come to pass in that day 
that the mountains shall drip with new wine, 
the hills shall flow with milk,
 and all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water;
 A fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD, and water the Valley of Acacias. Egypt shall be a desolation,
 and Edom a desolate wilderness,
 because of violence against the people of Judah,
 for they have shed innocent blood in their land.
 But Judah shall abide forever,
 and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
 For I will acquit them of the guilt of bloodshed, whom I had not acquitted; 
For the LORD dwells in Zion.” (vv.18-22)

This prophetic book of Joel, which began with the desperate plague of locusts, ends with a promise of restoration and redemption, in which God will show mercy to His people and grant them forgiveness. And, while it is not good to be an enemy of God, it is good to be in His care. Vengeance is the Lord's and His judgment will come.

And, after God’s final victory at the Battle of Armageddon, there will also be lasting abundance in Israel, and the days of drought will be just a distant memory, for all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water. And Egypt, "shall be a desolation,” along with the other enemies of the LORD and His people. But Judah, "shall abide forever and Jerusalem from generation to generation."

For His people, God is a refuge; for His enemies, their worst nightmare. Our hope is in Christ alone, and it's all because of His grace.

The Truth: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

Joel 2 “Return To The LORD”

“Rend your heart, and not your garments. Now return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil.” (v.13)

CH Spurgeon wrote, “Garment-rending and other outward signs of religious emotion, are easily manifested and are frequently hypocritical; but to feel true repentance is far more difficult, and consequently far less common.”

In the prophet Joel’s day, God’s people engaged in religious rituals like fasting and tearing their garments to outwardly express their repentance. The problem with these efforts was that they were often not performed with a repentant heart (v.12). As far as God was concerned, the outward form of such rituals was not nearly as important as the attitude of the heart. Therefore, He challenged them saying through the prophet Joel, “Rend your hearts and not your garments” (v.13).

True repentance is never a matter of performing certain rituals, but is grounded in relationship. Those who turn to God in repentance should not base their appeal for forgiveness on their own performance, but upon God’s character.

In our text the prophet gives the people five reasons for “rending their hearts”: God’s grace, compassion, patience, love, and mercy (v.13). Based upon this, the prophet called upon the priests to declare a sacred assembly in the hope that sincere repentance would result in restoration.

The Lord longs for us to confess our sins to Him and receive His forgiveness so we can love and serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This can be done privately in your own personal prayer time with Him, in a public gathering for prayer or worship, or one on one with another brother/sister in Christ.

The bottom-line here is, whatever you need to tell the Lord today, just say it—and say it from the heart.

The Truth: “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Joel 1 “The Day of the LORD”

“Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.” (v.15)

The prophet Joel spoke to the southern kingdom of Judah. His message was singular in its warning, “repent for the day of the LORD is at hand.” He was not announcing the coming day of judgment of the LORD, but their present state – devastation by successive swarms of locusts, first chewing, then swarming, then crawling, and finally consuming. Judah would experience a time of famine and financial ruin because of these locusts, and the drought which followed.

The idea behind the phrase the day of the LORD is that this is Gods’ time. Man has his “day,” and the LORD has His day. In the ultimate sense, the day of the LORD is fulfilled when Jesus judges the earth and returns in glory. In a lesser sense, a time of judgment as Judah experienced with the locusts and drought is also an example of the day of the LORD.

In this time of destruction, drought, and discipline, all Judah could do was cry out to God. They were powerless to fix their problems. God now had their full attention, as they finally realized only He could help them.

So sad when a Christians lets the sin in their life get to the point where God has no choice but to break them down. O He will let you wonder off and learn your lessons the hard way if necessary, but why go through the pain? Repent now and save yourself the pain both now and in the future.

The Truth: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)    

Philippians 4 "Be Anxious For Nothing"

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (vv.5-7)

When trials come or disaster strikes, it's easy to feel as if God is being negligent. When something we can't explain happens, we believe God has let us down. But the Bible makes it very clear that this is not true. God told Joshua that He would not leave nor forsake him. Actually, in the Hebrew language, the negative comes first and makes the thought even stronger: "not will I leave you" and "nor will I forsake you." The order of these words emphasizes the fact that, no matter how difficult Joshua's circumstances might become, God would not leave and He would not forsake. He was as committed to Joshua as He had been to Moses.

God's presence doesn't mean that things will always go smoothly. Christians don't walk around with protective plastic bubbles surrounding them. We experience cancer; we endure sorrow and heartache; we fail in business. God's promise, however, is that He will continue to walk with us and be faithful to us even in our sorrows or failures.

Be assured that as God was with Moses and Joshua, He is with you as well. And, His company will bring you comfort that will exceed your understanding (v.7).

The Truth: "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

Philippians 3 “Heavenly Citizenship”

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (vv.20-21)

The scriptures tell us in 1 John 3:2, “When we see Jesus, we shall be like Him." Not only will our bodies be changed to be like His, but all things will be subdued, put in order, made right. No more sickness, no more death, all tears will be wiped away, and we shall be reunited with those who have gone before us in Christ.

Yes we as Christians still eagerly await the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ – for He will solve every problem, answer every question, and right every wrong. Until then we Christians need to remember that we are strangers in this world and yet, future citizens of heaven. And, that the closer we can live our lives by His example, the closer we draw near to heaven while here on earth.

The Truth: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our sins, made us alive together with Christ, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7)

Philippians 2 "Put On The Mind of Christ"

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (vv.3-5)

Boy these words are the key to solving many of today’s problems. Selfish ambition, vain conceit, looking out for number one, all these seem to be the norm and even the church has been infected and motivated by competition in areas like, attendance, performance, facilities, growth. This just should not be.

Paul tells us we are to value the interests of others above ourselves and do nothing out of self-ambition or vain conceit. This means having a servants heart, doing for others first, putting others needs above our own without a single thought of recognition or reward. This enables us to be truly concerned with the circumstances of those around us, and allows us to be more caring, empathetic human beings, with no agendas.

Knowing the sufferings, and the hurts of others fills us with compassion for people and allows us to “put on the Humility of Christ.” When you are prepared to be weak and helpless so far as your own energies are concerned, then He may put forth in your life the mighty energy of that power which raised Christ from the dead.

Therefore be humble not selfish, think of others rather than yourself, and thus put on the mind of Christ.

The Truth: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)

Philippians 1 “Pulled in Two Directions”

“To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain… I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” (vv.21-24)

As Christians, we are pulled in two directions. We all want to go to heaven, but this life also holds great appeal. Now, we don't need to feel guilty for having a strong desire to enjoy life. Marriage, a family, a fulfilling job, travel, recreation, these all have a legitimate appeal. But if the delights of our earthly home are so attractive that we lose sight of God's purpose for putting us here, then something is wrong.

The apostle Paul had mixed feelings too. Although he believed he would be released from prison, he knew that he could possibly fall victim to Nero's sword. This created a conflict. He longed to be with Christ, for that would be "far better" (v.23), but he also wanted to live--not merely to enjoy life but to minister to his fellow believers who needed him (v.24).

Though Paul was pulled in two directions, and in both cases it was for the highest reason, one could say he had a single mindedness of purpose, to live for Christ.

The Truth: "None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24)

Hosea Ch.14 “God’s Promise to Restore”

“I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them.” (v.4)

The purpose in judgment is healing. God will ultimately prevent us from prospering in our sin until we repent. For He longs to turn us from apostasy (falling away from Him) to bringing us into His arms so He can bless us. God does not delight in our suffering but, like any loving father, He will chasten those He loves.

This shows God looks on our backsliding more like a disease than a crime. He does not say, “I will pardon their backsliding.” It is “as though he said, ‘My poor people, I do remember that they are but dust; they are liable to a thousand temptations through the fall, and they soon go astray; but I will not treat them as though they were rebels, I will look upon them as patients, and they shall look upon me as a physician.” (Spurgeon).

God did not say here, “I might heal” or “I could heal” or “I can try to heal,” but I will heal their backsliding.

Come to God for healing of your backsliding, and He will do it! God is too great a physician to allow any patient to leave His office without being healed.

The Truth: “But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.” (Psalm 78:38)

Hosea 13 “God, Israel’s Only Hope”

“O Israel, you are destroyed, But your help is from Me. I will be your King;
Where is any other, that he may save you in all your cities? And your judges to whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’? I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath.” (vv.9-11)

Even when Israel felt the sting of God’s chastening hand, they could still find help from the LORD, if they would only turn to Him. God wanted to be recognized as the King of Israel, no matter which man sat on the royal throne. When they rejected the LORD as King, He gave them the kind of kings their hearts wanted and deserved, and then even took those kings as further judgment.

The sin and judgment of Israel were both great, but not greater than God’s ability and power to redeem. He can even redeem… from death, so that death and the grave are mocked as defeated foes (v.14). Sounds much like Paul’s description in 1 Corinthians 15:55.

In the long term, Israel will see the glory of God’s redemption and His power over sin and death. But, in the near term, Israel will be chastened for their rebellion against God (v.16). Better to experience God’s redemption than His judgment.

The Truth: “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)

Hosea 12 “Return To The Lord”

“The LORD also brings a charge against Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; According to his deeds He will recompense him. He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he struggled with God. Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, and there He spoke to us– That is, the LORD God of hosts. The LORD is His memorable name. So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, and wait on your God continually.” (vv.2-6).

Here, God looked back at the patriarch Jacob and how Israel in Hosea’s day was just like their forefather Jacob in the days of Genesis. In ancient Israel, a “heel-catcher” was a double-dealer, someone who achieved their goals through crafty and dishonest means. Through Hosea, God said, “That was Jacob then and it is Israel now.”

The prophet recalls the struggle between Jacob and the Man of Genesis 32:24-30. Jacob refused to submit to God, so God demanded submission from him in a literal wrestling match. Jacob wrestled with the LORD God, who appeared in human form as a Man. Since this was a unique messenger from heaven, He is also appropriately described as an Angel of the LORD.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Hosea emphasized two more details from the Genesis 32:24-30 account. First, he told us that Jacob prevailed in the wrestling match. Second, he told us that Jacob wept in the struggle. Jacob came to the place where he knew God had beaten him, and all he could do was hang on to God and plead for a blessing. So you (speaks to Israel) saying, they should return to their God the same way.

This reflection reminds us that we can return to the LORD even when we are struggling against Him. And even in those moments when we are just hanging on, He is ready to bless us. Therefore, return to the LORD you wayward soul, stop swimming up stream, and go with His current of love and restoration.

The Truth: “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Hosea 11 “God’s Sympathy During Chastening”

“How can I give you up, Oh Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like Admath? How can I treat you like Zebolim? My heart is turned over within Me, all My compassion's are kindled. I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; and I will not come with terror.”(vv.8-9).

In this scripture we truly see the heart of a loving father, struggling to punish his child, to the point that He questions how the judgment should be carried out. God takes no pleasure in the chastening about to come upon Israel. Instead He says, “My sympathy is stirred.”

Admah and Zeboiim were two cities near Sodom and Gomorrah that were also destroyed (Deuteronomy 29:23). God says, “I can’t bear to allow My people to be caught up in the destruction that will come upon all the nations, as Admah and Zeboiim were caught up on the destruction that came upon Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Though their sin deserves it, God will not wipe out Israel. He will leave a remnant, and will restore the nation. The longsuffering, forgiveness, and compassion of the Lord toward His people seems unbelievable until we recognize that He is not man, but God. His love and forgiveness are of a different order. Charles Spurgeon observed that there are many differences between God and man in the matter of forgiveness.

God hates judgment and longs that His people might be rescued from sin. And, just as He was willing to rescue Israel (a polluted and idolatrous people) so He is also willing to save us, if we will just recognize our sin.

Thank you Lord for your patience and long suffering with us. Thank you that you are willing to seek and to save those which are lost. Thank you for seeking me.

The Truth: “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalm 103:8)

Hosea 10 “Hosea’s Plea to Seek The LORD”

“Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you.” (v.12b)

Here Hosea speaks to Israel in agricultural terms, a language the people knew very well. He tells them to “break up the hard ground of their hearts” and “seek the LORD” until He comes.

Hosea preached this principle to the people of Israel because they had sown seeds of wickedness and trusted in their own way instead of God's. Now they were eating the bitter fruit of lies, especially the lie that their safety and success came from their own military strength (v.13).

We all sow into our life, but do we sow seeds of righteousness? What “crop” will grow up from the seeds planted in our lives today, or this past week, or this past month?

Hosea pleaded with Israel to go God's way—to break up the sin-hardened soil of their hearts and to "seek the Lord.” If they would sow seeds of righteousness, they would reap the Lord's mercy until He comes to rain blessings on them (v.12).

Is the soil of your heart resistant to God and His Word, rather than receptive? Do you trust in your own way rather than in God's? Then it's time to seek the Lord in honest repentance, to sow right actions and attitudes in your life, and to grow His way. Above all, depend on His power rather than your own to make you fruitful.

The Truth: “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

Hosea 9 “Israel Forsakes God”

“Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other nations, For you have played the harlot, forsaking your God. You have made love for hire on every threshing floor. The threshing floor and the winepress
shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her. They shall not dwell in the LORD’s land,
 but Ephraim shall return to Egypt,
 and shall eat unclean things in Assyria.
 They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD,
 nor shall their sacrifices be pleasing to Him.” (vv.1-4)

This does not simply refer to the physical act of adultery – it goes much deeper, into the spiritual realm of their heart and mind. Israel, like America, Britain and other nations today, went her own way, seeking after the "gods" of wealth, materialism, and power – sacrificing God’s laws at the alter of their own desires, even after repeated warnings.

Israel was not content any longer in worshiping God. The people looked at the pagan nations around them and decided, they liked the idols these nations worshiped better. So instead of serving God, the Israelites bowed down to Baal, the Canaanite fertility god (v.2). They then attributed their abundance to him and implored him for continued fruitfulness.

Therefore, God had no choice but to punish such arrogant faithlessness. And as we have seen throughout the book of Hosea, God's judgment was perfectly appropriate to Israel's sin. If the people wanted to defile themselves by worshiping unclean idols, God would see to it that they would eat unclean food during their captivity in Assyria (v.3).

Moreover, while in exile, Israel would not be able to offer the sacrifices to God prescribed by the Mosaic covenant, and her great feast days would pass unobserved (v.3). Once more, God matched His chastening to Israel's sins. They had treated His blessings as nothing and discarded Him. So they would waste away in a foreign land, discarded, while their possessions and homes back in Israel became overgrown with briers and thorns (v.6).

Hosea ends this chapter by saying, “My God will cast them away, because they did not obey Him” (v.17) This is exactly what the LORD promised under the terms of the Old Covenant (Deuteronomy 30:14-18). But thankfully, we can come to God by faith in a new and better covenant, where He promises to remember our sins no more.

The Truth: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12)