Playlist: Israel as Harlot (topic)
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Four): God's Indictment
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's indictment of Israel and Judah reveals a profound betrayal, portraying Israel as a harlot in a spiritual sense due to their unfaithfulness to Him. He had called Israel out of Egypt, forming them into a nation with a special, intimate relationship, bound by a covenant ratified with blood to worship and obey Him alone. Yet, …
Hosea's Prophecy (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHosea's prophecy vividly portrays Israel as a harlot, symbolizing the nation's unfaithfulness to God. God instructed Hosea to marry Gomer, a woman of harlotry, to reflect Israel's departure from the Eternal through idolatry and alliances with other nations. Just as Gomer proved unfaithful to Hosea, Israel dishonored their …
The Seventh Commandment: Adultery
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe concept of Israel as a harlot emerges as a central theme in understanding the national sin of faithlessness. In the book of Hosea, God portrays Israel as a faithless wife, engaging in whoredom by departing from Him. Hosea 1:2 reveals the Lord's command to Hosea to take a wife of whoredoms, symbolizing the land's great …
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Israel is depicted as having entered a covenant relationship with God that is symbolized as a marriage. After this union was established, Israel committed spiritual adultery by engaging in idolatry, going up on every high mountain and under every green tree to play the harlot. This act of disloyalty defiled the land and led God …
Deuteronomy Opening
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIsrael trusted in her own beauty and fame, playing the harlot by pouring out her harlotry on everyone passing by and adorning multicolored high places with her garments where she continued the same practice. This behavior revealed a degenerate and brazen heart that committed the deeds of a harlot, prompting God to judge her as …
Deuteronomy and Idolatry
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Israel described the nation as a woman whom He married. Her fame went out among the nations because of her beauty, which was perfect through the splendor He had bestowed on her. She trusted in her own beauty, played the harlot because of her fame, and poured out her harlotry on everyone passing by who would have it. She took …
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod presented His relationship with Israel through the parable of Hosea's marriage to Gomer, portraying Israel as an unfaithful wife who turned to other gods, formed alliances with pagan nations, and adopted their cultures. This image of harlotry dominates the opening chapters, where physical Israel's rejection of God resulted …
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Six)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIsrael is depicted as a promiscuous wife whose unfaithfulness takes the form of spiritual adultery through the worship of Baal. This imagery portrays idolatry as a betrayal of the intimate covenant union the Lord established with His people, a transgression against the marriage between the Lord and Israel that violates the first …
What's So Bad About Babylon? (2003) (Part 1)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIsrael is presented as the Harlot Woman who dominates the forming Beast within end-time Babylon. This identification arises from the description of her luxury, pride, and avoidance of suffering, which match the conditions of ancient Israel more precisely than any other nation. Her self-glorification leads her to declare that she …
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Eight) Cultivating the Fruit of Faithfulness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasIsrael has proven disgustingly fickle, unreliable, and rebellious toward God, repeatedly behaving as a brazen, impudent harlot. Hosea received the command to rescue and buy back this unfaithful people, not to allow continued whoring but to prompt repentance of disgusting sins so that Israel might return in humble, chastened …
Are You Sure You Believe in God? (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod summoned ancient Israel to repent from her idolatrous ways and revealed through Jeremiah the account of two sisters, Israel and Judah. The Northern Kingdom committed spiritual adultery by worshiping idols on all the high places, defiling the land through casual harlotry and adultery with stones and trees. Although God …
Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe notion that it does not matter what we wear if our heart is right on the inside is foolish. Our clothing ought to reflect our inward character.
Re-education (Part 1)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod mandates that we unlearn carnal processes (purging the leaven) and totally adopt new spiritual processes- eating unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Remembering Who We Are
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWhen we consider the awesome contrast of what we were before God called us and what we are now, we cannot allow ourselves to commit spiritual fornication.