THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily Scripture studies is designed to help you in daily honoring God with adoration.

Each day, Monday through Friday, a Scripture with commentary is posted.

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior Scripture studies by book and chapter, just clik

HERE.

Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through Isaiah are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to:

Bruce McGee
P.O. Box 1627
Columbia, LA 71418

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE STUDY
HOSEA

1 Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. 2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: 3 And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee. 4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: 5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

Gomer had been unfaithful. God's command to Hosea included purchasing her back to himself as his wife.

First, Hosea was to assure her of his love: "Go yet, love..."
Jesus said that God gave the law of divorce, due to adultery, because of "the hardness of your hearts...but from the beginning it was NOT so" (Matthew 19:8). Divorce is for those who do not know how to LOVE! Love is giving of self without thought of return.

Many a man has lost his wife to adultery because of the "hardness" of his heart! And many a woman has lost her husband to adultery for the same reason. Sin is sin. Hardness of heart is as much sin as adultery!

God's love did not cease because of Israel's badness! God's love for mankind does not cease because of our badness! He PURCHASED us to Himself with a price -- the price of His OWN BLOOD!

Though Israel had forsaken God and chased imaginary gods, He still LOVED them! And He provided them a way of return to their "marriage" to Him!

Secondly, Hosea was to assure her of his CONTINUING LOVE (verse 3). When the sins of Israel demanded divorce, God assured them of a SECOND CHANCE!

PRAISE GOD! He offers mankind a SECOND CHANCE! Though we are sinners all (Romans 3:23), and we have all chased "imaginary idols" of the world, God offers RESTORATION through REPENTANCE!

Through the love of Christ extended by the cross of Calvary, we "hardened hearts" have an opportunity to be FORGIVEN and RESTORED to a right relationship with God!

Heaven is not for perfect people! Heaven is for those who are MADE perfect through surrender to God's love!

It is BECAUSE of God's love that sinners repent and RETURN - seeking God and His forgiveness (verse 5).

God is not like man! If God had "hardness of heart," we should ALL be divorced from Him and have eternal hell!

But God sets the PERFECT EXAMPLE as a "Husband." He LOVES us back to Himself!