Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 13

 Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

Ye are the... Again, the phrase “ye are” indicates that only the genuinely born-again person is salt and can help meet the needs of the world.

salt have lost... Salt is a seasoning and preserving chemical, but if left on the bare earth or exposed to the sun, rain, and air it loses its savor and is worthless (cp. Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34-35).

wherewith shall it... Question 4. Next, Mat. 5:46.

The Beatitudes are followed by a summary statement of the basic character of the Christian’s life as salt and light.

Salt adds flavoring, acts as a preservative, melts coldness, and heals wounds. Thus, it is a very appropriate description of the believer in his relationship to the world in which he lives.

Salt is a preservative. Christians are a preservative. This earth would already have been destroyed, if it were not for the few Christians here. If the Christians fall away, what will happen to the earth? That is just exactly what is happening today. Watered down Christianity is taking over. If the Christians do not rise up a standard, then all is lost.

Lukewarm Christians will not make the final cut. God will spew lukewarm Christians out like lukewarm water. We need to live by the standards raised in the Bible. Sold out to God Christians are the salt of the earth. We must preserve the Bible and its standards, until Jesus returns. We must not compromise with the world.

Their circle of influence

To demonstrate the impact these people would make on their world, Jesus used two common illustrations: salt and light. Jesus’ followers would be like salt in that they would create a thirst for greater information. When one sees a unique person who possesses superior qualities in specific areas, he desires to discover why that person is different. It is also possible that salt means these people serve as a preservative against the evils of society. Whichever view one takes, the important quality to note is that salt ought to maintain its basic character. If it fails to be salty, it has lost its purpose for existence and should be discarded.

Book of Hosea Chapter 2 Vs. 10

 Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished

And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand. Hos. 2:10

will I discover... God pledged to expose Israel’s wickedness. The phrase is linked to being taken forcibly into captivity (in Eze. 16:37-40).

her Lewdness... Means disgrace. God does not want her anymore, because she has been unfaithful. No husband wants an unfaithful wife. He will bring punishment upon her for her sins. She deserves His punishment.

of her lovers... The idols were personified as if they could see, though they could offer no help.

The figurative portrayal of Israel as the Lord’s wife is carried along in these verses. Without wool and linen (cf. Hos. 2:5), which were used to make clothing (Lev. 13:47, 13:59; Deut. 22:11; Pro. 31:13; Eze. 44:17), she would have no means of covering her nakedness. Through this deprivation the Lord would expose her lewdness. Her shameful behavior would become known to all through this public demonstration (cf. Hos. 2:3; Eze. 16:36-37). “Lewdness” (naḇlûṯ, which occurs only here in the OT) refers to a blatant breach of covenant which disgraces the entire community. A related term (n^eḇālâh) is used of Achan’s sin (Jos. 7:15), as well as various prohibited sexual acts, including fornication (Deut. 22:21), incest (2Sam. 13:12), rape (Jdg. 19:23; 20:6), and adultery (Jer. 29:23). During this exhibition Israel’s lovers would be forced to stand by helplessly, being unable to deliver her from the Lord’s powerful grip. Then the Lord’s superiority and the lovers’ weakness (or apathy) would become apparent to her.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 12

 The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

Rejoice, and be... Is the command that grows out of the blessedness of the believer. The phrase “Rejoice”, and “be exceeding glad” means even more, exult! “Great is your reward in heaven” focuses attention on the eternal destiny of all things.

partakers of Christ’s sufferings

Christian Suffering

Eight Facts about Christian Suffering:

1. Suffering is not strange or unusual for Christians (1Pet. 4:12; 2Tim. 3:12).

2. One should rejoice when a partaker of the sufferings of Christ (1Pet. 4:13; Mat. 5:10).

3. The greater the suffering the greater the joy and glory (1Pet. :13; Rom. 8:17-18).

4. Besides the greater glory to come the Christian has the Holy Spirit upon him now to enable him to endure (1Pet. 4:14; Rom. 8:26-27).

5. Christian sufferings glorify God (1Pet. 4:14; Rom. 8:17-18).

6. It is an honor, not a shame, to suffer as a Christian (1Pet. 4:16).

7. Though sufferings begin with Christians, they end in an eternal weight of damnation to the ungodly (1Pet. 4:17-18).

8. Sufferings should be borne by Christians, in patience as in the will of God, realizing that God is always faithful to His own in their sufferings (1Pet. 4:19; 1Cor. 10:13).

Ten Rewards for Christian Suffering:

1. Greater glory in heaven (2Cor. 4:17)

2. Eternal consolation (2Cor. 1:7)

3. Making Jesus known (2Cor. 4:11)

4. Life to others (2Cor. 4:12)

5. Making grace manifest (2Cor. 4:15)

6. Guarantee of judgment (2Thes. 1:5)

7. Reign with Christ (2Tim. 2:12)

8. Spirit upon us (1Pet. 4:14)

9. Glory to God (1Pet. 4:16)

10. Great joy (1Pet. 4:13-14)

Christian suffering does not consist of:

1. Suffering for murder (1Pet. 4:15)

2. Suffering as a thief (1Pet. 4:15)

3. Suffering for being an evildoer

4. Suffering for being a busybody (1Pet. 4:15)

5. Suffering for any crime listed in Rom. 1:18-32; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21

Christian suffering does consist of:

1. Persecution for righteousness (Mat. 5:10; 13:21; Mark 10:30; John 15:20)

2. Raveling's and slander (Mat. 5:11-12; 10:25; Acts 13:45; 1Pet. 4:4)

3. False accusations (Mat. 10:17-20)

4. Scourging for Christ (Mat. 10:17)

5. Rejection by people (Mat. 10:14)

6. Hatred by the world (Mat. 10:22; John 15:18-21)

7. Hatred by relatives (Mat. 10:21-36)

8. Martyrs (Mat. 10:28; Acts 7:58)

9. Temptations (Luke 8:13; Jas. 1:2-16)

10. Shame for His name (Acts 5:41)

11. Imprisonments (Acts 4:3; 5:18; 12:4)

12. Tribulations (Acts 14:22; 2Thes. 1:4)

13. Stoning (Acts 14:19; 2Cor. 11:25)

14. Beatings (Acts 16:23; 2Cor. 11:24-25)

15. Being a spectacle to people (1Cor. 4:9)

16. Misunderstanding, necessities, defamation, and despising (1Cor. 4:10-13)

17. Trouble, affliction, distresses, tumults, labors, watching, fasting, and evil reports (2Cor. 6:8-10; 11:26-28)

18. Reproaches (Heb. 13:13; 1Pet. 4:14)

19. Trials (1Pet. 1:7; 4:12)

20. Satanic opposition (Eph. 4:27; 6:12)

However, Jesus’ words encouraged His followers, for they would be walking in the train of the prophets, who also were misunderstood and persecuted (Mat. 5:12; cf. 1Kgs. 19:1-4; 22:8; Jer. 26:8-11; 37:11-16; 8:1-6; Dan. 3:1-30; 6:1-28; Amos 7:10-13).

Book of Hosea Chapter 2 Vs. 9

Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished 

Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness. Hos. 2:9

Therefore will I... Beginning here the judgment of God is applied to Israel (Hos. 2:11-13). The restoration of Israel is predicted in Hos. 2:14-23.

The Hebrew form of saying, “Therefore I will take back.” Jehovah resumes all that had been misappropriated. The king of Assyria (Tiglath-pileser, 734 B.C.), was the agency whereby this was to be accomplished (compare Isaiah 10:5).

and will recover...The raiment (wool and flax), was Jehovah’s gift to cover her nakedness, i.e., to meet the actual necessities of Israel. This He will tear away, and the idol-gods whom she has courted shall see her prostration, and their own helplessness to deliver or relieve.

Her unfaithfulness to God causes Him to remove all the blessings she had known before. She will be in the same condition she was in, when He saved her out of Egypt.

In response to Israel’s unfaithfulness, the Lord said He would deprive the nation of agricultural produce (grain and new wine), leaving it destitute. The Mosaic Law made agricultural prosperity dependent on loyalty to the Lord. Obedience to the covenant stipulations would result in the Lord’s blessing in the form of plentiful harvests, numerous offspring, and security (cf. Lev. 26:3-13; Deut. 28:1-14). Disobedience would bring drought, pestilence, war, death, and exile (Lev. 26:14-39; Deut. 28:15-68). Thus, the announcement in Hos. 2:9 revealed the Lord’s intention to implement the covenant curses against Israel. Drought, blight, insect swarms, and invading armies would destroy the land’s produce (cf. Deut. 28:51; Joel 1:4-12; Amos 4:6-9; 7:1).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 11

The Beatitudes 

Matthew 5:11“Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”

If God is as real as He claims, if the Bible is true, if heaven is to be gained, then no temporary earthly trouble or persecution can dispossess the child of God of joy in the prospect of the eternal glory that lies ahead.

They persecuted Jesus, because He didn’t fit into their pattern. They will persecute the followers of Jesus for the same reason. If you are not under persecution, better take your spiritual pulse, something is probably wrong.

There is a great shaking in the true church today, only those who are truly sold out to Jesus will stand.

People possessing these qualities would naturally stand out in the crowd and would not be understood by others. Thus, they would be persecuted; others would speak evil of them (Mat. 5:11).

Book of Hosea Chapter 2 Vs. 8

 Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished

For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal. Hos. 2:8

For she did... She did not know that her husband had provided her all the things which her lovers had provided, and more. She was to be punished and taught a lesson not to play the harlot again (Hos. 2:9-10).

prepared for Baal... Baal (the Phoenician sun-god) worship, already present during the time of the judges (Jud. 2:17; 3:3; 8:33), became established in Israel when King Ahab married Jezebel, who attempted to obliterate Israelite worship of the true God (1Kgs. Chapter 19). Offering to Baal actually came from God’s dowry to Israel (Eze. 16:10-14).

It was God that had provided her with all her needs. He had loved Israel so much that He gave her far beyond her need. He had showered her with silver and gold as well. Since we are looking at this spiritually, we must remember that "silver" symbolizes redemption and "gold" symbolizes God.

God had redeemed her and provided all of her needs. She repaid Him by giving that gold to the false god Baal. She had great wealth but did not appreciate the fact God had showered the wealth upon her. She took God for granted. The saddest thing was that she used the gold and silver to worship a false god.

Israel deprived of the Lord’s blessings

Israel’s guilt was established as the basis for her punishment. She had failed to acknowledge the Lord as the Source of her produce and wealth. Instead, she used silver and gold to manufacture Baal idols (cf. Hos. 8:4; 13:2), for it was this Canaanite deity to whom she attributed her agricultural (grain… new wine and oil) and economic prosperity (Hos. 2:5, 2:12-13).

Baal was the Canaanite god who supposedly controlled storms and was responsible for both agricultural and human fertility. The Canaanite “Legend of Keret” associated Baal’s rain with agricultural blessing in the form of grain, bread, wine, and oil (cf. J.C.L. Gibson, Canaanite Myths and Legends. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1978, p. 98). By looking to Baal for these things Israel broke the first of the Ten Commandments (cf. Exo. 20:3; Deut. 5:7), rejecting one of the main principles of the Mosaic legislation. Moses taught that the Lord provided grain, wine, and oil (Deut. 7:13; 11:14). Each Israelite, when presenting his first fruits in the harvest festival, was to recite the following words in the presence of the priest, “I bring the first-fruits of the soil that You, O Lord, have given me” (Deut. 26:10).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 10

 The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:10 “Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Blessed are they... As Jesus develops His message, He clearly teaches that such a life causes His people to be in direct contrast to the world in which they live. Therefore, He reminds us, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness” sake.” The plural use of “ye” (in verse 11), indicates that He foresaw this persecution as touching all His followers.

Notice 2Tim. 3:12, “Yea, and all that will love godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

To be persecuted for something we have done wrong is one thing, but to be persecuted because we are, to the best of our ability, serving God is something else. Paul said, to count it all joy when we are persecuted for Jesus. The disciples and Paul thought it a great honor to be persecuted for preaching about Jesus.

Most ministers today are not under persecution. Many are preaching what their congregation wants to hear. They are careful not to stir up the regular members by preaching against adultery, homosexuality, stealing, lying, coveting, and all the other sins of our day.

If you start preaching hard against pornography, rock music, drugs, alcohol, X-rated and PG-rated television and movies, and a total lapse of fellowship with God, you will see persecution. People do not want to be preached to about their sins. It is okay to preach about sins they are not committing. Just don’t preach on “their” sins.

Many of the early Christians were martyred for the name of Jesus Christ. Are we that committed today, that we would proclaim Jesus even to the death?

With God’s help, I will go on preaching what I hear in my spirit for the church. We must repent and renew our lives with the Lord Jesus Christ. Heaven is our home. We are just here temporarily.

The Scripture says when we see great troubles coming upon the earth to look up and rejoice (Luke 21:28), “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.

They desire and possess God’s righteousness even though it brings them persecution (Mat. 5:10).

These qualities contrast sharply with Pharisaic “righteousness.” The Pharisees were not “poor in spirit”; did not “mourn” in recognition of their needs; were proud and harsh, not humble and gentle; they felt they had attained righteousness and therefore did not have a continual appetite or desire for it; they were more concerned with “legalities” of God’s and their own laws than with showing mercy; were pure ceremonially but not inwardly; created a rift, not peace in Judaism; and certainly, did not possess true righteousness.

Jesus’ followers who possess these qualities become heirs of the kingdom (Mat. 5:3, 5:10) on earth (Mat. 5:5), receive spiritual comfort (Mat. 5:4) and satisfaction (Mat. 5:6), receive mercy from God and others (Mat. 5:7), will see God (Mat. 5:8), that is, Jesus Christ, who is God “in a body” (1Tim. 3:16; cf. John 1:18; 14:7-9). His followers were known as God’s sons (Mat. 5:9; cf. Gal. 3:26) for they partook of His righteousness (Mat. 5:10).

Book of Hosea Chapter 2 Vs. 7

 Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished

And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now. Hos. 2:7

she shall follow... With earnest travel, and with wearisome toil, she shall attempt every way to get to them, but to no purpose: afflictions and sorrows surround Israel; these Israel can by no means break out of to these lovers, and they, like false lovers, hasten as fast and as far from this adulteress as they can.

Her lovers are idols and idolaters, her false friends, and false gods.

she shall not... They which hasten after such strange gods and helps, as this shameless harlot, shall meet with sorrow, but never overtake their desired help.

she shall seek...: As is the manner of immodest strumpets; it speaks also her obstinate resolution in her way: so, Israel forsook a God that would have sought him to do him good, and by no disappointments would be (for a long time), taken off from this frantic wildness, of seeking to idols that could do him no good.

but shall not... The final issue of all is at last, she is wearied in her folly, tired with fruitless labor, and sits down hopeless of ever finding help from idols and idolaters.

I will go... Restless, she will try one way more; if she only had tried this sooner, this would have been successful. She will return, come back, and seek to her Husband.

my first Husband... i.e., God, who had married Israel to himself, who was her Husband indeed: all others were as adulterers, as deceivers and seducers, who abuse the credulity of wanton women first, and next abuse their husbands’ beds.

For then was it better with me than now: how much the tune is changed! (In Hosea 2:5), all her gallantry, her feasts, her rich apparel, these are gifts of her lovers; not a word of her Husband’s greatest kindnesses. But now she sees and confesses that the least of her Husband’s kindnesses was better than the greatest kindness of these her paramours, and at worst with her Husband she was better than at best with adulterers.

You cannot try out the world and then come back to God anytime you want to. That is what Israel found out, and it is what Christians find out also. God did not want part of their love, He wanted all. Loyalty to God involves forsaking the entire world. Israel suddenly realizes that she was much better off when she was with God.

Her frantic efforts to find her lovers would be thwarted (Hos. 2:7). As a last resort, she would resolve to return to her Husband, the Lord, opening the way for restoration. The reality behind this figurative portrayal of judgment probably included drought, invasion, and exile (cf. Hos. 2:9, 2:11-12; Lev. 26:18-22).

As a last resort, she would resolve to return to her Husband, the Lord, opening the way for restoration. The reality behind this figurative portrayal of judgment probably included drought, invasion, and exile (cf. Hos. 2:9, 2:11-12; Lev. 26:18-22).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 9

The Beatitudes

 

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Blessed are the... The next description deals with the peacemakers. They are at peace with God and desire to live in peace with all men (Rom. 5:1).

Their peace with Christ enables them to be ambassadors of God’s message to a troubled world. Hence, they shall be called “the children of God.”

Throughout the Beatitudes Jesus clearly underscores that only those who have the qualities of a changed life, herein described, are citizens of His kingdom.

Jesus is the King of Peace. The only true peace comes from Him. There will never be peace on the earth, until the King of Peace comes and brings His peace to the earth. If we are His children, we pattern our lives by His; and we too, bring peace around us as He has given us His peace within. Truly, we are His children (followers), in His peace.

The peacemakers (Mat. 5:9) show others how to have inward peace with God and how to be instruments of peace in the world.

Book of Hosea Chapter 2 Vs. 6

 Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished

Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. Hos 2:6

I will hedge... The prediction is that she would not be happy and successful in her life of harlotry—she would long for her husband again and return to him (Hos. 2:6-8). I will erect impassable barriers that shall pierce and mangle her flesh.

way with thorns... The path of evil shall be a path of thorns.”

shall not find...She was determined to go her own way. She does not follow in the path God has made for her. When she decides to do this, God covers His path that He had left for her with thorns. She will not be able to find her way back, unless God removes the thorns. Christians know that Jesus is the Way. To try to get to heaven other than by Jesus is impossible. To walk in sin even now, obscures the path that leads to God.

In response the Lord declared that He would soon eliminate all means of access to these lovers. Israel would find familiar paths blocked with thorns and stone walls (Hos. 2:6). Her frantic efforts to find her lovers would be thwarted (Hos. 2:7).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 8

The Beatitudes

 

Matthew 5:8 “Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

pure in heart... Greek: katharos, translated "clean" (see, John 13:11). This takes place at the new birth (2Cor. 5:17; 1Jhn. 1:9; 2:29; 3:5-10; 5:1-4, 5:18; Eph. 4:24; 2Thes. 2:13).

shall see God... Not only with the perception of faith, but in the glory of heaven (Heb. 12:14; Rev. 22:3-4).

I am so happy that this Scripture does not say pure in deeds. The Lord will judge our hearts on judgment day. I have said so many times, if we are truly saved, we no longer have the desire in our hearts to sin. Old things and desires have passed away, behold all things become new.

It is our heart that has been made new. The Bible says, For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. There is a spiritual seeing of God for the present when our hearts are pure, and there will be a physical seeing of God when we join Him in heaven.

Those who are not pure in heart will spend an eternity in hell and will not be with God as the Christians will be.

The pure in heart (Mat. 5:8) are those who are inwardly clean from sin through faith in God’s provision and a continual acknowledging of their sinful condition.

Book of Hosea Chapter 2 Vs. 5

 Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished

For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink. Hos. 2:5

their mother hath... Gomer had gone back to her former lovers to live as a harlot. This was used to illustrate how Israel had backslidden and gone from Jehovah to serve idol gods (Hos. 2:5-23).

I will go... Literally “Let me go,” it denotes strong desire and bent. Israel attributed her prosperity to the idols of her heathen neighbors; her “lovers” (compare verses 7, 10, 12). She would not be deterred from pursuing them.

that give me... Seven things Gomer had in harlotry:

1. Lovers

2. Bread

3. Water

4. Wool

5. Flax

6. Oil

7. Drink

The "mother" here is Israel. Israel had been unfaithful to God. The lovers here are possibly speaking of the countries around them. God did not want Israel mixing with the heathen nations around them because they would pick up bad habits from them. The worship of false gods was introduced to them by the people around them. They made treaties with these nations and picked up much of their culture.

Israel belonged to God, and He had provided for all of her needs, had even fought her battles for her. Now she is turning from God's help to worldly people's help. God was sufficient for them, and He is sufficient for us today as well in the church. There is no need to look to the world for answers, the world does not have answers. Only God has answers to our problems.

Punishment initiated

The Lord’s judgment, instead of bringing His relationship with Israel to a complete end, was designed to effect restoration. The first step in this process was to deprive the nation of its false gods and the prosperity it erroneously attributed to them.

Israel deprived of her lovers.

In Hos. 2:5 Israel’s unfaithfulness is vividly pictured. She resolved to pursue her lovers (the Baals; cf. Hos. 2:13, 2:17; 11:2) because she believed they supplied her physical nourishment (food… water), protection (wool and… linen; cf. Hos. 2:9), and pleasure (oil and… drink).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 7

 The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed [re] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

Blessed re the... Has reference to those who have been born again by the mercy of God. Because divine love has been extended to them, they have the work of the Holy Spirit in them producing a mercy that defies explanation by unregenerate men.

Jesus Himself became the ultimate example of this when He cried from the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

We reap what we sow. The Lord tells us that He will forgive our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us (Mark 11:25-26). My cry is not for a just God, but for a merciful God. Our just reward is death, but through the mercy of God, we are saved by His grace.

Jesus began His sermon with “the Beatitudes,” statements beginning with Blessed are. “Blessed” means “happy” or “fortunate” (cf. Psm. 1:1). The qualities Jesus mentioned in this list, “the poor in spirit,” “those who mourn,” “the meek,” etc., obviously could not be products of Pharisaic righteousness.

The merciful (Mat. 5:7) extend mercy to others, thus demonstrating God’s mercy which has been extended to them.

Book of Hosea Chapter 2 Vs. 4

 Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished

And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms. Hos. 2:4

not have mercy... The children are like their mother: not only are they born of doubtful parentage, but are personally defiled. Not only is idolatry enshrined in the national sanctuary and the royal palace, but the people love to have it so. They endorse the degradation of their mother.

God greatly blesses the children of those who are faithful to Him. Let us see what happened to those who worshipped false gods.

Exodus 20:5 "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;"

We see then (what verse 4 above is speaking of). These children can repent and come to God on their own, however. The mother generally has a great deal to do with the moral character of her children. She has not taught them correctly in this particular instance.

Sometimes, the mother could be speaking of the church in our case. In that case, a church which does not teach truth could cause the members to fail.

The third threat involved the rejection of the wife’s children. The reason was that they were children of adultery. This may mean they were products of their mother’s illicit relationships, though probably it simply indicates they were covered with shame by reason of their association with such a mother (cf. Hos. 2:5 and Hos. 1:2). At any rate, the Lord announced they would not receive His love (rāḥam; cf. Hos. 1:6-8; 2:1), implying they would be disowned and become orphans. In this way any reminder of the relationship with their mother would be eliminated.

The harsh punishment threatened in Hos. 2:3-4 seems to imply complete termination of the marriage. The wayward wife would be executed and her children disowned. However, the context clearly demonstrates that this would not occur. This same anomaly occurs in Eze. 16:1-63 where Israel is executed as an adulteress (Eze. 16:35-42) only to be eventually restored to favor (Eze. 16:59-63). Apparently the harsh language was intended to emphasize the severity of the punishment without implying the absolute termination of the Lord’s relationship with Israel, a remnant will survive.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 6

 The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

hunger and thirst... An idiom for a strong desire; last day, that great day of the feast. The eighth day, the great day of the feast because it was a day of great assembly and offering sacrifices for Israel. The first seven days they professed to offer sacrifices for other nations (Lev. 23:34-36). On this day a priest drew water from the pool of Siloam in a golden vessel and brought it to the temple. When the morning sacrifice was on the altar he poured this water mingled with wine upon it, while the people were singing with great joy. It was perhaps at this time that the Lord made His great prophecy of the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the life of each believer in Him (John 7:37-39).

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)] The 20th New Testament prophecy in John (John 7:37-39, being fulfilled). Next, John 8:21.

These future possessors of the earth are its presently installed rightful heirs, and even now they “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” This is the opposite of the self-righteousness of the Pharisees. It speaks of those who seek God’s righteousness rather than attempting to establish a righteousness of their own (Rom. 10:3; Phil. 3:9).

What they seek will fill them, i.e., it will satisfy their hunger and thirst for a right relationship with God. They experience a deep desire for personal righteousness, which in itself is a proof of their spiritual rebirth.

Those who are poor and empty in their own spiritual poverty recognize the depth of their need, and they hunger and thirst for that which only God can give them.

shall be filled... (Greek chortazo) refers to a complete satisfaction. The psalmist proclaimed: “He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (Psm. 107:9).

This verse really needs very little explanation. Those who are trying to be in right standing with God (righteousness), spend a lot of time in the study of God’s Word. The more we seek, the more we consume of the Word, the more we are filled. The only way we can be blessed is to know that these blessings are available, and to know how to act upon them. God’s Word reveals the blessings.

The Pharisees were concerned primarily with external qualities, but the qualities Jesus mentioned are internal. These come only when one is properly related to God through faith, when one places his complete trust in God.

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Mat. 5:6) have a spiritual appetite, a continuing desire for personal righteousness.

Book of Hosea Chapter 2 Vs. 3

Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished 

Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst. Hos. 2:3

set her as... (Eze. 16:4; 23:25-26, 28-29). The day of her political "birth" was when God delivered her from the bondage of Egypt, and set up the theocracy.

make her as... (Jer. 6:8; Zeph. 2:13). Translate, "make her as the wilderness," namely, that in which she passed forty years on her way to her goodly possession of Canaan. With this agrees the mention of "thirst" (compare Jer. 2:6).

The house of Jacob was in this condition, when God sent Moses to bring them out of Egypt to the Promised Land. They had nothing. They became the wife of God when they made covenant with Him to keep His commandments. This was also, the condition of a sinner, before he was saved. We make covenant, when we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

The righteous do not hunger and thirst, they are filled. Those who wander away from God do not benefit from the things of God, because He withdraws from them. This is what this is saying here. They must repent or God will let them get back into the condition He found them in.

The Lord’s appeal (Hos. 2:2) was strengthened by a severe threat containing three solemn warnings to Israel (I will occurs three times in Hos. 2:3-4). First, the Lord threatened to strip her naked, making her an object of shame and ridicule (cf. Hos. 2:10; Eze. 16:35-43). The punishment fit the crime. She who had exposed her nakedness to her lovers would be exposed publicly for all to see. This public act apparently preceded the execution of an adulteress (cf. Eze. 16:38-40).

Second, the Lord threatened to make her like an arid desert, deprived of water (cf. slay her with thirst), incapable of producing or sustaining life. All her powers of fertility would be removed. Again the punishment fit the crime. She who had engaged in illicit sexual behavior would become incapable of reproduction.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 5

 The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 

are the meek… shall inherit the earth”, refers again to those who have been humbled before God and will not only inherit the blessedness of heaven, but also will ultimately share in the kingdom of God on earth. Here, in the opening statements of the Sermon on the Mount, is the balance between the physical and spiritual promise of the kingdom. The kingdom of which Jesus preached is both “in you” and is yet “to come.”

This word “meek” has been misunderstood by so many. It really means humble, or mild-mannered. This is the opposite of being out of control. It is not weakness, but supreme self-control empowered by the Spirit (Gal. 5:23). This is an attitude of the soul toward God and man, being willing to be instructed by God and willing to receive chastisement when necessary.

This has nothing to do with going around with your head hanging down, or even allowing people to push you around. This is a humble heart, quick to understand, forgive, and obey God. We see here, a blessing connected with it.

inherit the earth... Christians will reign with Jesus as His subordinates here on the earth the 1,000 year reign of Christ, and we truly shall inherit the earth. This is just another attribute of the Christian’s humble heart.

Some of the standards are general (e.g., “You cannot serve both God and money” [Mat. 6:24] ); some are specific (e.g., “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” [Mat. 5:41]); and some pertain to the future (e.g., “many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name?’” [Mat. 7:22]).

Book of Hosea Chapter 2 Vs. 2

 Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished

Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts; Hos. 2:2

with your mother... Gomer of Hos. 1:3.

she is not... Just as Gomer had left Hosea, so Israel had left God—for whoredoms. In both cases the marriage was dissolved for a time.

Although the language is applicable to Gomer, it depicts a courtroom scene in which the Lord, as the plaintiff, brings charges against the defendant.

let her therefore... Individual Israelites, depicted as the children, are commanded to bring charges against their mother, Israel as a nation. The physical immorality of Gomer pictures the spiritual idolatry of Israel.

The same message is in this chapter (that was in chapter one). It is just expressed more fully. The "mother" is speaking of the harlot wife, Israel. Christians must remember that Jesus is coming back for a bride that is without spot or wrinkle. He does not want a bride that is committing spiritual adultery either. The worship of false gods is spiritual adultery. We must be faithful to Him, if we are to be His bride.

and her adulteries...The "adulteries from between her breasts", possibly, speaks of hidden sin. This is just another warning to keep the first commandment.

Mark 12:30 "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment."

To not keep this commandment is spiritual adultery. Sins that are hidden are just as bad as those out in the open.

Restoration through punishment

Hosea’s relationship with Gomer was designed to reflect the Lord’s experience of being rejected by His covenant people Israel (cf. Hos. 1:2). In Hos. 2:2-23 the Lord described this rejection in detail, comparing Israel to an unfaithful wife who chased after lovers. In the process of confirming the nation’s guilt, the Lord announced coming punishment. This judgment, however, would not be final, for God intended to draw Israel back and restore the broken covenantal relationship. Thus this section, like the preceding one (1:2-2:1) progresses from judgment (Hos. 2:2-13) to salvation (Hos. 2:14-23, along with Hos. 3:1-5).

The Lord’s Punishment of Israel

Included in this section are an introductory summons (Hos. 2:2), an appeal for repentance (Hos. 2:2) accompanied by a threat of punishment (Hos. 2:3-4), and two judgmental speeches (Hos. 2:5-7, 2:8-13), each containing an accusation (Hos. 2:5, 2:8) and an announcement of punishment (Hos. 2:6-7, 2:9-13).

Punishment threatened

The section opens with the Lord calling for a formal accusation to be brought against Israel. The covenant relationship is likened to marriage, the Lord being the husband and Israel the wife. The children addressed (cf. your mother) need not represent any specific group within Israel. They are included for rhetorical effect and add to the realism of the figurative portrayal. The word translated rebuke (rı̂ḇ) is used here of a formal legal accusation. A related noun often refers to a lawsuit (cf. Exo. 23:2-3, 23:6). In Hos. 4:1 this same noun is translated “charge.” The reason for the accusation was the disrupted relationship between the covenant partners. The Lord, speaking as the Husband who had been severely wronged, declared, She is not My wife, and I am not her Husband. Some have interpreted this statement as a formal declaration of divorce, which is unlikely in this context. The Lord’s ultimate purpose was to heal the relationship, not terminate it (cf. Hos. 2:2, 2:6-7, 2:14-23). Thus the statement was probably an acknowledgment that “no reality remained in the relationship” (Derek Kidner, Love to the Loveless, p. 27). The Lord’s wife, by her unfaithful behavior, had for all practical purposes severed the relationship with her Husband.

Rather than exercising His legal prerogative by having His wayward wife executed (cf. Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22), the Lord issued a call for repentance, urging the nation to abandon its adulterous activity (Hos. 2:2).