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Hosea, Gomer, God, and Israel
Sermon by Kim MyersThe book of Hosea addresses the spiritual idolatry and adultery of Israel, portraying their rejection of God's laws as whoredom. During the reign of Jeroboam II, around 760 years before Jesus Christ, Israel experienced unprecedented prosperity, yet this led to moral and spiritual degeneration. The people indulged in sins such as swearing, lying, killing, stealing, adultery, and idolatry, which grieved the heart of God most of all. Hosea 4:12-13 reveals how the spirit of harlotry caused them to stray, seeking counsel from wooden idols and offering sacrifices on mountaintops, leading their daughters and brides into harlotry and adultery. Since the Eternal viewed Israel as His wife, He saw their worship of other gods as spiritual adultery. Deuteronomy 31:16 foretold this unfaithfulness, warning that the people would forsake Him and break His covenant. Similarly, Judges 2:17 recounts how Israel turned from God's commandments, playing the harlot with other gods despite warnings. God had commanded from the beginning that they should have no other gods before Him, yet by the time of Jeroboam II, their persistent disobedience had become intolerable. God spoke through Hosea to illustrate this unfaithfulness, commanding him in Hosea 1:2 to take a wife of harlotry as a reflection of Israel's departure from the Lord. Hosea's marriage to Gomer became a living parable of God's relationship with His unfaithful people. Despite Israel's continued sin, God's love remained steadfast, as expressed in Hosea 6:1-2 and Hosea 14:1, calling them to return to Him for healing and revival. Hosea 11:4 and 11:8 further reveal God's enduring love and reluctance to abandon Israel, even as He grieved over their iniquity. Through Hosea's personal agony and unrelenting love for Gomer, despite her adultery, God demonstrated His own forgiving love for Israel. Hosea 3:2-3 shows Hosea redeeming Gomer from slavery, mirroring how God seeks to restore His people. Hosea 7:2 and 7:9-10 highlight Israel's failure to recognize their wickedness and return to God, yet Hosea 14:4 affirms God's promise to heal their backsliding and love them freely, underscoring His never-ending compassion.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Eight): Romans 10
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughFrom the days of Sinai on, the ancient Israelites fixated on the notion that they were God's chosen people. This perspective proved counterproductive.
The Beast and Babylon (Part Nine): Babylon the Great
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughFor being a religious book, the Bible contains an unusual number of references to harlotry! Yet they provide understanding of the great harlot of Revelation.
Not Just a Better America
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod does not endorse the American system any more than any other system not based on God's Laws. The Millennium will not resemble America.
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsModern Israel has a form of religion, but it is empty and unsatisfying because it refuses to obey God and substitutes the traditions of man in its place.
Purifying the Heart
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus advises a repentant Christian to attack sexual sin at its starting point, making it less about sinful acts than about an immoral way of thinking.
Hosea's Prophecy (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHosea was ordered by God to make a symbolic marriage to a harlot. This heartbreaking marriage portrayed Israel's unfaithfulness to God in spite of His care.
The Bride of Christ (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerGod's called and chosen people are being prepared, under Christ's direction, to become His perfect and faithful helpmate for eternity.
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIsrael demonstrates divided loyalties, vacillating between God and the world, veering more toward the world, resembling a panting dog or a pleasure-bent prostitute.
Choosing to Have a Good Relationship
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Bible emphasizes marriage as the primary bond of society. The purpose for the marriage relationship is to depict the marriage of Christ and His bride.
The Commandments (Part Sixteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIt is absolutely impossible for lust to bring about any kind of satisfaction. Adultery cannot be entered into without irrevocably damaging relationships.
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Six)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsModern Israel is repeating the same sins as ancient Israel. God's metaphors of the promiscuous wife, stubborn heifer, and rebellious child all apply to America.
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBoth Israel and Judah during Hosea's time adopted paganism from the surrounding nations. Syncretistic religion blends paganism and Christianity.
Are You Sure You Believe in God? (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBelief in God involves more than believing He exists, but in faithfully obeying what He asks us to do. Genuine faith gives us access to genuine power.