GOD, ISRAEL, & AMERICA

HOSEA 4

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE LORD’S CONTROVERSY WITH THE LAND [v. 1-2]

 

1. No Truth [v. 1-2] look at the sin being promoted, the truth being denied

 

Zechariah 8:16 These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

 

2. No Mercy [v. 1-2] think of the millions aborted

 

Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

 

3. No Knowledge of God [v. 1-2, Hosea 6:6] the proliferation of atheism, cults, isms, and heresies

 

Malachi 2:7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

 

II. SIN’S CONSEQUENCES TO THE LAND [v. 3-19]

 

1. Languishing [v. 3-5, Isaiah 24:4]

 

The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.

 

2. Rejection [v. 6-11, 9:17]

 

My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

2 Kings 17:15, 20 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.

 

3. Shame [v. 12-19, Zephaniah 3:11]

 

In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

 

III. GOD’S PERSONAL & NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION [5:15] I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

 

1. Acknowledgement of Sin [Confession] Proverbs 28:13

 

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

 

2. Forsaking of Sin [2 Chronicles 7:14]

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

3. Seek The Lord

 

Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Isaiah 34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

Mt. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.