Hosea 2:2-23 - Judgment, Mercy, and Grace

The book of Hosea is shocking. We open it up and right off the bat we are confronted with all sorts of things that we don’t really like to talk about in polite company. But there it is, right in front of us, and it’s in the Bible. What do we do with it? Well, we look at it honestly as what it is—the mirror of God’s word, and we see if we see ourselves in it. But more importantly we see if we see Christ in it. And that’s exactly what I attempt to do in this series through Hosea. What follows is the introduction I gave to my sermon from Hosea chapter 2.

“The question of whether or not we are presented with a true-to-life enacted parable in chapter one, or whether the whole thing is a metaphor is something that good people have and will disagree on. The humility that Christ commands us to have compels us to admit that what we have is a very ancient text and there are a lot of questions about it which may never be answered on this side of eternity. 

But what is certain is this. The northern kingdom of Israel has gone astray from its covenant with God. And God has sent his prophet Hosea to announce to them that he is a God of his word, that he will keep his covenant promises, that he will bring judgment upon the nation for its unfaithfulness and covenant breaking—just as he spoke through Moses.

So in the narrative of chapter one Hosea represents God and Gomer, his wife, represents the nation of Israel—specifically its political and religious institutions who are supposed to be completely and faithfully devoted to Yahweh God of Israel. The children represent the people of Israel, both individually and in community. 

Chapter one was a stunning chapter which began with a description of appalling sin, continued with promises of horrific judgment, but concluded with a vision of future grace. When we get to chapter two, specifically verse two, we are confronted with what looks eerily similar to a courtroom scene and God is using the language of divorce. The plaintiff, in this case God, begins his plea with the children—the individuals, the people or citizens of Israel.”

From this point I cover the entire chapter verse by verse and show how it points to Christ. To listen to it all just click the link below. God bless.


Click here: Hosea 2:2-23 - Judgment, Mercy, and Grace


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