Beyond Crocodile Tears
Hosea 6:1 – 11
Sept. 28, 2008
Peace Fellowship Sermons
Rev. Dennis Edwards, MDiv, MA, PhD
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September 28, 2008
Sermon Audio: Beyond Crocodile Tears
September 27, 2008
Study Questions: Beyond Crocodile Tears
Hosea 6: 1-11
This week's questions:
1. Last week we determined that the Israelites were being punished because they did not 'know' (or rather failed to 'acknowledge') God. Chapter six begins with repentance (vv. 1-3). Now the people are acknowledging God in hopes that He might avert His indignation. When we speak of repenting, what is involved? Is it mere sorrow for sins we've committed? What, if any, actions are we to take?
2. Old Testament religious praxis involved bringing various sacrificial offerings to the spiritual leaders. These offerings were presented to God for varying reasons. To name a few, there were peace offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings. The first seven chapters of Leviticus expound on the various offerings and what they were used for. Hosea 6: 6 says that God would rather His people demonstrate mercy and acknowledge Him as opposed to receive their burnt offerings. We may presume that the Israelites were 'religiously' bringing their offerings to the Lord. Why wasn't God pleased with them? In what ways do we go through the motions, so to speak?
3. Verses seven through nine speak of places (Adam, Gilead and Shechem) where the Israelites broke covenant with God or were otherwise unjust in their dealings with people. Though spiritual adultery is the prevailing motif of Hosea's prophecy, we see in these verses that there was injustice in the land as well. In what ways is there injustice in our city? What should Christians be praying for? Are there any practical ways we can help those who have felt the sting of injustice?
Note: Unlike the New Living Translation (NLT), some translations speak of the place called 'Adam' (v. 7). It is mentioned in Joshua 3: 16. The Bible doesn't record how the Israelites specifically broke covenant with God at this location.
September 21, 2008
Study Questions: It's Not What You Know...
Hosea 4:1 - 5:15 This week's questions:
1. In chapter four, Hosea uses a specific word to declare that the Israelites did not 'know' God (4: 1, 6). In this instance, however, this word does not mean that the people were ignorant or otherwise unaware of Him. The prophet is trying to explain that the Israelites were not 'acknowledging' God. They were purposefully moving in a direction counter to His will for them. In what ways have you failed to acknowledge God? Did you feel a sense of His conviction? Were there any uncomfortable consequences? How did you learn from this experience?
2. We learned earlier in Hosea's prophecy that Israel was worshipping Baal (2: 8). Baal and Asherah were the Canaanite gods of agricultural and human fertility. Canaanite theology held that in order to have an abundance of food and progeny, the people had to consort with temple prostitutes in an effort to have the gods bestow blessings on them. To their detriment, Israel engaged in such practices (4: 11-14). In what ways have we taken matters into our own hands, perhaps leading us to sinful behavior even to get the necessities of life? What were the consequences of not waiting for God's sense of direction?
3. Hosea's prophecy portrays a rather dismal picture of the people's spiritual leaders as well. The priests were so corrupt that they created a sacrificial system in which they benefited from the sins of the people (4: 7, 8). For an example of what this may have looked like, see the story of Eli's sons in 1Sam 2: 12-17. What specifically should the Church be praying for in regards to our spiritual leaders?
4. Unlike Israel, our national leaders are not religious leaders, but even so, how can we be praying for our next president? Also, how are Christians to be salt and light regardless of who the next president is?
Sermon Audio: It's Not What You Know
It's Not What You Know
Hosea 4:1-5:15
Sept. 21, 2008
Peace Fellowship Sermons
Rev. Dennis Edwards, MDiv, MA, PhD
Listen to streaming audio
September 14, 2008
Slideshow: Peace Fellowship Picnic
After a summer of many activities in the community (VBS, School supply distribution), we took a day to relax and enjoy some fellowship at Leesylvania State Park.
Sermon Audio: Transforming Trouble into Hope
Transforming Trouble into Hope
Hosea 2:14 – 3:5
Sept. 14, 2008
Peace Fellowship Sermons
Rev. Dennis Edwards, MDiv, MA, PhD
Listen to streaming audio
Study Questions: Transforming Trouble Into Hope
Hosea 2:14 – 3:5
This week's questions:
1. Ancient Israel had a long legacy of falling in and out of fidelity with God. The Scriptures depict a certain cycle of sin, punishment, repentance, and mercy. This is most clearly illustrated in the book of the Judges (see 3: 7 - 16 & 10: 6 - 16). During the monarchial years, it was common for the prophets to promote contrition throughout the land in the hopes that God would 'repent' or 'turn away' the consequences he had in store for their disobedience (see Jeremiah 26: 3, 13; Joel 2: 12 - 14 & Jonah 3: 8 - 10). Unlike these prophets who placed an emphasis on the people's remorse prior to divine mercy and deliverance, Hosea depicts God pursuing His bride in the midst of her 'adultery' (2: 14 - 17 & 3: 1). What is your impression of this depiction of God? What is His patience working in us (see also Romans 2: 4)? In what ways can we take God's patience for granted?
2. Restoration is a theme that emerges in this section. Because of the people's sin, they will be stripped 'naked' of God's provision. Compare 2: 8-12 (barrenness) with verses 15 - 22 (plenty). In what ways have the people been restored? Note the tangible and intangible ways.
3. Redemption and reconciliation are the central motifs of chapter three. In simplistic terms redemption is the act of buying something or, in this case, someone back. Hosea redeemed his wife to illustrate how Israel would one day be reconciled to God (3: 1, 2). In theological terms, redemption really illuminates the helplessness of those being bought back. They are unable to get themselves out of their predicament. This was Israel's situation when God promised restoration. In our Christian context, we speak of being redeemed by Jesus' blood. How has He redeemed us? How are we helpless? What was or is our predicament? Reflect on and discuss the cost.
September 7, 2008
Sermon Audio: Revelation Through Heartache
Revelation Through Heartache
Hosea 1:1-2:13
Sept. 7, 2008
Peace Fellowship Sermons
Rev. Dennis Edwards, MDiv, MA, PhD
Listen to streaming audio
September 6, 2008
Study Questions: Revelation Through Heartache (Hosea 1:1 - 2:13)
This week's questions:
According to Hosea, God will punish the Israelites for what King Jehu did at Jezreel (1: 4). For a historical context, read 2 Kings 9 and 10 to see what happened there.
Note: Some scholars wonder why a punishment is warranted because the bloodshed at Jezreel was apparently sanctioned by God (see 9: 6-10 & 10: 30). However, many presume that the punishment is a consequence of Jehu's killing of Ahaziah, king of Judah. He fled from Jehu in Jezreel but was wounded and died in nearby Megiddo (see 9: 27). Also, see 2 Kings 10:31.
1. The ancient Israelites often gave their children names that were indicative of personal or social circumstances. In this sense, their names can be understood as 'the sign of the times' so to speak. For some examples of this see Gen 25: 24-6 (Jacob and Esau), Gen 29: 31 - 30: 24 (Jacob's children) and 1 Sam 1: 20 (Samuel). God gives Hosea specific instructions on what to name all three of the children born to Gomer: Jezreel (God plants), Lo-Ruhamah (not loved) and Lo-Ammi (not my people). What is the significance of these three children's names? What do they mean for the Israelites? Hosea's name means 'salvation.' What, if anything, could that mean for them as well?
2. What images of God and Israel are evoked by using the marriage analogy? Hypothetically speaking, what happens upon the discovery of marital infidelity? What may be some of the human responses? According to the Scriptures, how will God respond to His people?
3. In 2: 1-13 we have a case of displaced loyalty and discipline. The Israelites neglected to give God the honor and glory He deserved and attributed their good fortune to Baal (v. 8). For this they will be punished. In what ways are we personally and communally disloyal to God? What are the false gods or 'Baals' in our lives?
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