LOVE
Character Tour 6 of 8
November 25, 2007
mikematijevich
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro:
* Love is one of the most talked about, sought after, and misunderstood character quality in all scripture.
* Love is CENTRAL to who God is, in fact "God is love" 1 John 4:8 reveals.
- As we pull back the curtain on an Old Testament love story, we find it filled with sin, betrayal, and incredible reconciliation. .
- We see God's love unfold in real-life drama to communicate a kind of love that drives us to our knees in disbelief, gratitude, and adoration.

* This love story of a man named Hosea and his unfaithful wife, Gomer reveals God's heart of patient love for each of us who follow Him today.
* Their love story was very real, but God planned it to paint a picture of His love relationship with us today.

Background of the story:
- Hosea a prophet in Israel called to tell of God's judgment when things were going pretty well for Israel. (At least from their point of view)
- Since Israel was feeling GOOD- it was going to take a something dramatic from God to
get their attention.
* They needed to know two things:
1) They would be experiencing God's judgment for their rebellion.
2) God was pursuing them for a meaningful & intimate relationship.

Hosea 1:1-11
I. AN UNFATIHFUL AND UNGRATEFUL LOVER (1:1-9)

A. Hosea 1:1-3a Take thee a wife of "whoredoms"
1. "Gomer"- the land of Israel was like Gomer Gomer signifies corruption;
2. " Diblaim" signifies two cakes, or lumps of figs; this denotes that Israel was near to ruin, and that their luxury and sensuality were the cause of it.
They were as the evil figs that could not be eaten, they were so evil.
* It intimates sin to be the daughter of plenty and destruction the daughter of the abuse of plenty.
3. (1:4) "Jezreel"- God scatters
4. (1:6) "Loruhamah"- no more mercy
5. (1:9) "Loammi"- not my people

B. Familiar story because it mimics God's love for us.
Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
1. He loves us even though we are "less than perfect"

II. TRUE LOVES FAITHFUL PURSUIT (1:10 - 2:13)

A. Listen to love speaking- running from God you run into His embrace. (1:10-2:5
1. We have all gone "Gomer" one way or another in our lives.
Even though we don't deserve it - God invites us back to Him.
2. 2:1-2 "Ammi"- my people
"Ruhamah"- more mercy
Note: When we run from God he does several things in His pursuit of us…

B. Three tactics God used to stop the cycle of destruction:
1. Barricades us with Briars- pointed obstacles (2:6-8)
- If we don't listen to Him & respond He puts out the "sticky stuff"
- The consequences of our sin
(2:7-8) - God tells Hosea to go to her lovers & give them the stuff Gomer is after.
- But she continues to run after them thinking that they are giving her the stuff-
but we do the same thing - thinking God will get the CREDIT but… we call it LUCK, NETWORKING, credit our EDUCATION, our athletic prowess, yet God is shaking His head like Hosea- all that stuff is from ME!
* You are forgetting the source…
* When something great happens to you who do you give the credit to? Self or to God?
* God gives us guidelines & when we get too close to the edge- we get the "sensation" that we are at the edge…so what are you going to do?

2. Ruthlessly removes resources 2:9
Note: During the briar stage she had her needs met… but this stage they are taken away!
- Her necessities were gone- broke, busted & disgusted… that is the life of Gomer.
a. Remember Jonah… a racist, & rebellion… he learned running from God he ran into God.
b. The Prodigal Son- blessed, left, lost it all & ate with the pigs, came back…
Note: This is the theme throughout scripture…
* We all have "gone Gomer"- our own way… WHERE did it get her?
SLAVERY… (2:10)
You'd think God would just pound upside the head- but he DOESN'T.

3. Grips us with grace 3:1-3
a. God told Hosea to buy her back - & he obeyed, because he loved her (irrational love)
b. Imagine Hosea standing in the auction line- then he walked up to her..
* And covered her NAKEDNESS- then took her back into his house…
* She thought about God's GRACE- IRRATIONAL LOVE…
* We've all gone Gomer… voices bidding for us, porno, drug, greed… but the voice in the back bids for us & wins the bid.
* Have you responded to that LOVE?

Conclusion:
DO you want to know that kind of love?
We have all gone Gomer- but how far will you go NOT recognizing the Lord is pursuing you.