HOSEA LESSON 14


     We will begin this lesson in Hosea 14:1 "O Israel, return unto
the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity."

     This begins with a plea from God for Israel to repent, and return
to God. The truth is that God would look for any signs of repentance
from them, because He wants to forgive them. God mentions the reason
for their fall as their iniquity.

     Hosea 14:2 "Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto
him, Take away all iniquity, and receive [us] graciously: so will we
render the calves of our lips."

     Verse 2 above, reminds me of the following Scripture.
II 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."  Both Scriptures are a call for prayer of
repentance. I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness."  "Render the calves of our lips" would be an
expression of the sacrifice of praise to God.

     Hosea 14:3 "Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon
horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [Ye
are] our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy."

     This is expressing the fact that no world ruler could save them.
There is no one who can save them, but God. They renounce, also, the
idols they had made with their own hands. They will no longer trust in
the power of their horses in battle. They realize that only God is
merciful.

     Hosea 14:4  "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them
freely: for mine anger is turned away from him."

     This speaks of God, who has accepted their repentance, and set
them in right standing with Himself. It is God's mercy and grace that
saves them. God will cause them to love Him. They will no longer be
tempted to backslide. They will rest in God. Ephesians 2:8 "For by
grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is]
the gift of God:"  Ephesians 2:9 "Not of works, lest any man should
boast."
II Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew
no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

     Hosea 14:5 "I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as
the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon."

     This speaks of total restoration. Luke 12:27 "Consider the lilies
how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you,
that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
     Hosea 14:6 "His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as
the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon."

     God has completely turned away His anger from Israel, and His
blessings are upon him. The beauty of growth in the Lord is spoken of
here. The olive tree speaks of the Spirit. They will be beautiful, and
smell as Lebanon. This is speaking of them becoming the bride. Song of
Solomon 2:13 "The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines
[with] the tender grape give a [good] smell. Arise, my love, my fair
one, and come away." Romans 11:24 "For if thou wert cut out of the
olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to
nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the
natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?"

     Hosea 14:7 "They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they
shall revive [as] the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof
[shall be] as the wine of Lebanon."

     God is the protector here. It is His shadow that protects. It is
God who makes the earth produce from the grain of seed we plant. It is
His rain and sunshine which brings growth. It is the blessing of God
that makes it produce. The beautiful order of a productive plant is
spoken of here.

     Hosea 14:8 "Ephraim [shall say], What have I to do any more with
idols? I have heard [him], and observed him: I [am] like a green fir
tree. From me is thy fruit found."

     Ephraim has totally abandoned idol worship. Ephraim has learned
his lesson. His safety and help is in God. God's eyes are set on
Israel to bless him. The green fir tree speaks of eternal life. God is
the provider of all fruit. We must not depend upon anything on this
earth for our source. God is our source.

     Hosea 14:9 "Who [is] wise, and he shall understand these
[things]?  prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD
[are] right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors
shall fall therein."

     The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Those who are
wise accept the salvation offered to them by the Lord, and then walk
in that salvation. Those who choose God live in the righteousness that
He has provided. Those who reject the Lord, shall die in their sin.


     Thank you for taking the time to go through this study book with
us. May God richly bless you as you continue to study His Word.


                                      Your friend in Christ


                                      Louise Haney

                          Hosea 14 Questions


1.  What is the plea of God in verse 1?
2.  Why would God look for any signs of repentance?
3.  Quote 2 Chronicles chapter 7 verse 14.
4.  Quote 1 John chapter 1 verse 9.
5.  What does "render the calves of our lips" indicate?
6.  What is verse 3 saying about Asshur?
7.  They renounce their _______ in verse 3.
8.  I will heal their _____________.
9.  It is God's ________ and ________ that saves them.
10. Quote Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8 and 9.
11. Quote 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 21.
12. I will be as the ______ to Israel.
13. What does verse 5 speak of?
14. Quote Luke chapter 12 verse 27.
15. Verse 6 says, his beauty shall be as the ________ ________.
16. The olive tree speaks of the _________.
17. Quote Song of Solomon chapter 2 verse 13.
18. Who is Romans chapter 11 verse 24 speaking of?
19. Who makes the bare grain produce?
20. What statement does Ephraim make in verse 8?
21. The green fir tree speaks of _________ ________.
22. Quote Hosea chapter 14 verse 9.
23. The _______ of the ______ is the beginning of wisdom.
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