God Will Sow

Hosea 1:2 

"The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea,

Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms:

for the land hath committed great whoredom,

departing from the LORD." 

    Many wonders why God would tell Hosea to marry a harlot, but understand that God intended to use this marriage as an illustration with His dealings with Israel. God used it to expose Israel's sin in this way because it reflected Israel's unfaithfulness to Him. So Jezreel, Hosea's first son, was legitimate because Gomer {Hosea's wife} "bare him a son" {1:3}. Now Hosea's other two children are identified as "children of harlotry" {Hos. 2:1-4} and are used as examples of Israel's illegitimate children, {Hos. 5:7}.

    This brief prophecy of the millennial reign of Christ gives several significant details. First, it clearly affirms that the restoration of God's people to the land of Israel will be a physical one. They will be called "son's of the living God" in the same place where Hosea called them "not my people" {v-10; the northern section of the promise land, possibly Samaria, Ezek. 37:21,25}. Second they will be reunited under one leader, and will be called God's children {v-11;  Ezek 36:10, 11, 28} when they return from the lands in which they have been captives. Third, the meanings of the names of Hosea's two youngest children will not apply to Israel anymore because their situation will be reversed.

    The application of this passage to the Gentiles is stated by the apostle in the book of Romans where he quotes the end of chapter 2 in our prophet, as expressing grace towards the Jews, and the Verse we are now considering towards the Gentiles: " Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?  As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.  And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God." {Rom. 9:24-26}.  While Peter, who speaks only to converted Jews, quotes the end of chapter 2 only. "Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." {1 Pet. 2:10}. There is no doubt that the Jews will come in, according to this principle in the last days; but the Holy Ghost expresses Himself here-as He has done in a multitude of passages quoted by the apostle -so as to adapt Himself to the admission of the Gentiles, when the time, foreseen of God, should come. But here He goes farther, and announces the return of the children of Judah and of the ten tribes, reunited, and subject to one head, in the great day of the seed of God

   It is said, "they shall come up out of the land"; and this has been supposed to mean their return from a foreign land; but I have an idea that it is rather that they all come up as one people in their solemn feasts. Thus the judgment of a corrupt and faithless people, and grace towards the Gentiles, and afterwards towards Israel as a nation, are very plainly announced, in words which, although but few, embrace the whole series of God's dealings.
    For example: We may observe that it is not said, "they shall be my people" (an expression less suitable to Gentiles), but "the sons of the living God"; which is precisely the privilege bestowed by grace on those who are brought to know the Lord since the resurrection of Christ. My Friends, This is the meaning of "Jezreel": or, more exactly, "God will sow."  "And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel," {Hos. 2:22}.

Amen!

Reading: Hos. 1;2

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry