Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 16, 2022

Even As the Lord Loves

Hosea 1:1-9;3:1-5

1. Background for Hosea

• 8th century: contemporary with Jonah, Amos, Micah and Isaiah
• external prosperity, internal decay, impending judgment
• Hosea: “salvation”

2. Gut-Wrenching Beginning 1:2-9

• shocking order and obedience
• three children: Jezreel, No Mercy and Not My People
• Gomer leaves for other lovers

3. Gomer Bought Back 3:1-5

• The LORD initiates
• costly love
• not for sharing
• a way back home
• connection to Christ: 1:10-2:1, 2:23, Rom. 5:8, 11:33-36, 1 John 5:21

4. So What?

• Knowing that He loves the loveless, tremble your way to the LORD and His goodness.
• Agree with the LORD’S assessment of your wandering nature (R. Robinson, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”).
• Marvel at the LORD’S restorative initiative.
• “If Hosea’s story can’t be real (because God could not ask a man to marry an unfaithful woman), then neither is the story of salvation real-because that is precisely what Christ has done for us.” (J. Boice)
• a word from Miss Ora (“Hast Thou Not Heard Him, Seen Him, Known Him?”)