>Hosea 10: Two Different Hearts
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. HEART OF SINFUL MAN
A. SELFISH HEART OF MAN
>>1. CONSEQUENCES PRODUCED
Hosea 10:1-2 Israel was a luxuriant plant that yielded fruit. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land produced, he improved his sacred stones. Their heart is divided; now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones.
also Gal 5:13
>>2. CONSEQUENCES PERSIST
Hosea 10:3-6 For now they will say: “We have no king, for we did not fear the Lord; but if a king – what could he do for us?” They make promises; with empty oaths they make covenants; so judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.
The residents of Samaria tremble for the calf-idol of Beth-aven. Its people mourn for it, and so do its idolatrous priests (those who rejoiced over it and its glory) for it has been removed. That ‘thing’ will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the Great King. Ephraim shall be disgraced, and Israel shall be ashamed.
also II Kgs 22:5; Zeph 1:4
>>3. CONSEQUENCES PREDICTED
Hosea 10:7-8 Samaria’s king shall perish like foam on the surface of water. The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed. Thorn and thistle shall grow over their altars, and they shall say to the mountains, “Cover us,” and to the hills, “Fall on us.”
B. STUBBORN HEART OF MAN
>>1. CONTINUED PERVERSITY
Hosea 10:9-10 Since the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, Israel; there you continue. Shall not the war against the unjust overtake them in Gibeah? When I please, I will discipline them, and nations shall be gathered against them when they are chained for their multiplied sins.
>>2. CONTINUED PLEADING
Hosea 10:11-13a Ephraim was a trained calf that loved to thresh, and I spared her fair neck; now I will put Ephraim to the yoke; Judah must plow; Jacob must harrow for himself. Sow righteousness for yourselves; reap fruit of unfailing love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower you with righteousness. You have planted iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies.
>>3. CONTINUED PUNISHMENT
Hosea 10:13b-15 Because you have trusted in your own strength and in the multitude of your warriors, the noise of war shall arise against your people, and all your fortresses shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle; mothers were smashed to pieces along with their children. Thus it will happen to you, Bethel, because of your great evil. At dawn, the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.
II. HEART OF SOVEREIGN LORD
A. LONGING HEART OF GOD
>>1. CALLING PROVEN
Hosea 11:1-4 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more they were called, the more they went away from Me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols.
Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them up by their arms, but they did not realize that I was the One Who healed them. I led them with cords of kindness, with the ties of love, and I became to them like one who kisses their cheeks as I bent down feeding them.
also Deut 7:7-8
>>2. CALLING PROVOKED
Hosea 11:5-7 They shall not return to the slavery in the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king since they refused to return to Me. The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars off their gates, and devour them because of their own thinking. My people are determined on turning away from Me, and though they call to God Most High, He will not raise them up.
B. FAITHFUL HEART OF GOD
>>1. COMPASSIONATE PRONOUNCEMENT
Hosea 11:8-9 How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within Me; my sympathy grows warm and tender.
I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.
also Deut 29:23
>>2. COMPASSIONATE PROMISE
Hosea 11:10-11 They shall follow the Lord; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children shall come trembling from the west; trembling like sparrows from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord.
also Hos 5:14-15