Sobering Realities #17: An exposition of Hosea 9:1-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 5, 2012.
Intro:
It resides in the heart of every child of Adam. That innate resistance of authority. That yearning to be the captain of our own souls; the drive to be independent or autonomous. Children seek to overthrow the repressive demands of their “overbearing” parents. Convinced that mom and dad just have no concept of life in the modern world – teens seek to free themselves from the puritanical convictions of the older generation. This struggle has been going on from time in memorial. And it is not limited to the family. There are always those who seek to live free from the repressive legislation of the government; be it a dictatorship, a monarchy or a representative republic. Others feel oppressed by society’s outdated moral standards and yearn to live according to the dictates of their own longings. And of course there are those who cannot and will not acknowledge the existence of God for that would mean they are accountable to someone beyond themselves. The concept of a God who governs His creation cannot be tolerated for that would mean there are rules and I am not “free!”
I’m afraid that even among “Christians” there is a longing for a more tolerant, less involved deity who knows His place. To hear some folks talk, they want a God who is just for “catastrophic” coverage. They want Him when something big happens – but otherwise – don’t get too involved in my affairs. You almost get the feeling they would be happy if God just “went away” for awhile…but what if He did? James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father above, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. To remove God’s presence is to remove his grace and mercy. The psalmist says, “You will fill me with joy in your presence” (16:11). So what if he is not present?
When the apostle Paul catalogues the various sins of the sons of Adam, in Romans chapter 1, he spoke of their “suppressing” the truth and “exchanging” the truth for a lie and he finally says, “So God gave them over” (Romans 1:24). God abandoned them. He withdrew and said, “Alright, have it your way.” This same terrifying judgment is spoken of in the 9th chapter of Hosea.
Text: Hosea 9:1-17
“Even if they rear children, I will bereave them of every one. Woe to them when I turn away from them” (Hosea 9:12).
This is a chilling word!
Note the certainty – when I turn away from them. Yes God is gracious, merciful and longsuffering – but his patience is not without end and there is a reckoning. Repeatedly through the law and the prophets God warned of a judgment to come on sin and unbelief. As a spurned lover, God graciously sought reconciliation with wayward Israel. Time and again he came offering love and forgiveness – but Israel did not mend her unfaithful ways and now the time of judgment had come. Israel’s deathbed prophet delivered the awful news. “I have a controversy with the inhabitants of the Land,” declared the Almighty. “There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land…” Israel was in her final days.
This passage reminds us a very important truth – one that must not be forgotten but rather must call us to eternal vigilance.
Thesis: There is no more terrifying judgment than God’s withdrawing from His people.
What do you think of when you think of the judgment of God?
Fire and brimstone raining down on wicked Sodom and Gomorrah?
The devastation of The Flood?
The fall of Jerusalem and the carnage that followed?
Or maybe you think of natural disasters, political and economic chaos?
But I can think of nothing worse than God removing His presence.
Hear the agonizing cry of the Son from Golgotha, “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?” Abandoned. Forsaken. Alone. Deprived of the sweetness of His presence. Denied the protection of His “hedging” love. Exposed as the object of His wrath. “Woe to them when I turn away from them!”
There are three consequences of God’s withdrawal I want us to note in this text.
- When God withdraws His presence joy becomes mourning. (9:1-6)
- When God withdraws His presence corruption reigns. (9:7-13)
- When God withdraws His presence desolation results. (9:14-17)
Conclusion:
This was the final word for Israel.
The Assyrians came destroyed the Northern Kingdom and dispersed them throughout the world.
But that is not yet the case with you!
Because God is gracious, as long as his word remains there is hope.
As the apostle Paul wrote, “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
There is hope for you if you will look to Christ.
It is not too late will you come to him today?