Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 32

Divorce

 

Matthew 5:32 “But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.”

cause of fornication... Fornication in the Bible means: adultery of married or single people (Mat. 5:32; 19:9; 1Cor. 7:2; 10:8; 1Thes. 4:3; Rev. 9:21); incest (1Cor. 5:1; 10:8); idolatry and adultery in honor of idol gods (2Chr. 21:11; Isa. 23:17; Eze. 16:15, 16:26, 16:29; Acts 15:20, 15:29; 21:25; Rev. 2:14-21; 14:8; 17:2-4; 18:3-9; 19:2); natural harlotry (John 8:41; 1Cor. 6:13-18); spiritual harlotry (Eze. 16:15, 16:26, 16:29; Rev. 17:2-4; Rev. 18:3-9; 19:2); sodomy and male prostitution (1Cor. 6:9-11; Heb. 12:16; Jude 1:6-7; Rom. 1:24-29; 2Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5). Do all these scriptures apply to single people only? If not, then fornication does not apply only to single people as some teach.

To commit adultery... Adultery is unlawful relationship between men and women, single or married. Out of 69 times that the sin is referred to in Scripture, only 2 passages speak of spiritual adultery (Jer. 3:3-12; Eze. 16:37). This term is not used in the broader sense of all forms of unchastity as is fornication (porneia. All adultery is fornication, but all fornication is not adultery.

Divorce was allowed in cases of adultery. (Luke 16:18), must be understood in the light of this verse. “Causeth her to commit adultery”: The assumption is that divorced people will remarry. If the divorce was not for sexual immorality, any remarriage is adultery, because God does not acknowledge the divorce.

God also says do not be unequally yoked with those of unbelief. If your spouse is a Satan worshipper, then you must not stay with him or her. What Jesus was saying, is that marriage should be forever. Nothing, except something of a moral issue, should separate husband and wife.

When they two are married, the Word says, they two become one flesh. Only a spiritual matter should cause a split. If we would just pray and ask God to send His choice of mate for us, we would save everyone a lot of pain.

In His response, the Lord strongly taught that marriage is viewed by God as an indissoluble unit and that marriages should not be terminated by divorce. The “exception clause,” except for marital unfaithfulness (porneias), is understood in several ways by Bible scholars. Four of these ways are: (a) a single act of adultery, (b) unfaithfulness during the period of betrothal (Mat. 1:19), (c) marriage between near relatives (Lev. 18:6-18), or (d) continued promiscuity.

God intended husbands and wives to live together permanently. Divorce was wrong except for marital unfaithfulness (cf. Mat. 5:32).

Bible scholars differ over the meaning of this “exception clause,” found only in Matthew’s Gospel. The word for “marital unfaithfulness” is porneiȧ

(1) Some feel Jesus used this as a synonym for adultery (moicheia). Therefore adultery by either partner in a marriage is the only sufficient grounds for a marriage to end in divorce. Among those holding this view, some believe remarriage is possible but others believe remarriage should never occur.

(2) Others define porneia as a sexual offense that could occur only in the betrothal period when a Jewish man and woman were considered married but had not yet consummated their coming marriage with sexual intercourse. If in this period the woman was found pregnant (as was Mary; Mat. 1:18-19), a divorce could occur in order to break the contract.

(3) Still others believe the term porneia referred to illegitimate marriages within prohibited degrees of kinship, as in Lev. 18:6-18. If a man discovered that his wife was a near relative, he would actually be involved in an incestuous marriage. Then this would be a justifiable grounds for divorce. Some say this meaning of porneia is found in Acts 15:20, 15:29 (cf. 1Cor. 5:1).

(4) Another view is that porneia refers to a relentless, persistent, unrepentant lifestyle of sexual unfaithfulness (different from a one-time act of illicit relations). (In the NT porneia is broader than moicheia). Such a continued practice would thus be the basis for divorce, since such unfaithful and unrelenting conduct would have broken the marriage bond. (On the subject of divorce and remarriage, see comments on 1Cor. 7:10-16.)

Whatever view one takes on the exception clause, Jesus obviously affirmed the permanence of marriage. Those who heard His words understood Him in this way, for they reasoned that if there were no grounds for divorce one would be better off never to marry. But this was not what Jesus intended, for God has given marriage to people for their betterment (Gen. 2:18). Marriage should be a deterrent to lustful sin and to unfaithfulness (1Cor. 7:2). But a few either do not have normal sexual desires (they were born eunuchs or were castrated), or are able to control those desires for the furtherance of God’s program on the earth (Mat. 19:12; cf. 1Cor. 7:7-8, 7:26). But not all are able to accept the single role (Mat. 19:11). Many marry and carry out God’s purposes, extending His work in the world.

Book of Hosea Chapter 3 Vs. 5

 Hosea Redeems His Wife

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. Hos. 3:5

Afterward shall the... This part remains to be completely fulfilled. The part about returning is now in process of fulfillment, but seeking the Lord and David their king, and fearing God in the latter days remain to be fulfilled at the second coming of Christ (Zec. 12:10-13:1; 14:1-21; Mal. 4:5-6; Rom. 11:25-29; Rev. 11:1-2, 11:15; 20:4-10).

and seek the... This must refer to Messiah during the Millennium, as “in the last days” specifies (compare 55:3-4; Jer. 30:9; Eze. 34:23-24; 37:24-25). The Jews did not seek after Christ at His first advent. This reference has the Davidic Covenant as its background (2Sam. 7:12-17; Psm. Chapters 39 and 132).

David their king... David will be king over all Israel under the Messiah, but over the 12 apostles (Jer. 30:9; Eze. 34:23-24; 37:24).

the latter days... The tribulation period, Daniel's 70th week, etc.

David in the Kingdom: Although Christ will reign as sovereign in the kingdom; it is not clear whether He is the only One on the throne. Several passages suggest that David will reign in the Millennium under the Messiah (Isa. 55:3-4; Jer. 30:9; 33:15, 17, 20-21; Eze. 34:23-24; 37:24-25; Hos. 3:5; Amos 9:11).

These verses may be interpreted:

(1) Literally, with David being resurrected, returning to the throne, and have a sphere of regal authority under the regency of Christ.

One of Christ’s millennial titles, “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16), may suggest the presence of lesser kings and lords. So it will be that David will serve under Christ’s authority as vice-regent of Israel, just as others may similarly rule other regions or cities (Luke 19:12-18).

Those who suffer for Christ will someday reign with Him (2Sam. 7:12-16; Psm. 89:34-37; Eze. Chapter 47).

This is clearly slated to happen in the latter days. When they seek the LORD, they will find Him. Will find David, their king, reigning with the One they call Messiah, and we call Jesus. There will be a day of repentance. They are bought and paid for with that precious blood. We see in the following Scripture that God is God of all, not just a few.

1Tim. 4:10 "For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe."

He provided salvation for everyone. Some will not accept that salvation. There is much controversy about these 10 tribes (Israel), and what happened to them. In the physical, they would be very hard to trace. In the spiritual sense, they are the lost world that comes to Christ, represented by the remnant consisting of all the tribes of Israel. Every person who ever lived, was a sinner, just like Israel before they came to Christ.

All Christians have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus, just like these of Israel were bought by God. Perhaps, this whole chapter has been speaking of all people who are away from God until Jesus came and set them free. It is God's goodness and mercy that saves us, not some act upon our part. We actually deserve to die for our sins. The wages of sin is death. Jesus marked our bill Paid in Full.

I will give a selection of Scriptures that help on this.

Rom. 11:26-27 "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:" "For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins."

Rom. 9:6-8 "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel:" "Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called." "That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed."

Gal. 3:29 "And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

After Israel’s period of isolation she will repent and seek the Lord, rather than false gods (Hos. 2:7; 5:15; cf. Deut. 4:29). Israel will also recognize the authority of the Davidic monarchy, which it rejected at the time of Jeroboam I (cf. 1Kgs. 12:1-33). The nation will approach the Lord with a healthy sense of fear (trembling), even in the context of blessing. In the past the nation had taken the Lord’s gifts for granted and proudly turned away from His commandments (cf. Hos. 13:6; Deut. 8:10-18). The blessings (lit., “goodness”) in view here are wealth and agricultural bounty (cf. Deut. 6:11; Isa. 1:19; Jer. 2:7; 31:12, 31:14 where the same word, ṭûḇ, is employed). The concluding phrase, in the last days, was used by the eighth-century prophets as a technical expression for the time of Israel’s restoration predicted by Moses (Isa. 2:2; Mic. 4:1; cf. Deut. 4:30, “in later days”).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 31

 

Verses 31-32: “It hath been said” is again a reference to the Old Testament commandment of the Mosaic regulation (Deut. 24:1). The normal custom of the ancient Near East was for a man to verbally divorce his wife. In contrast, the ancient law of Israel insisted on a “writing of divorcement” or certificate of divorce.

This written statement gave legal protection to both the wife and the husband. Jesus explains elsewhere (Matt. 19:8), that Moses’ concession was not intended to be taken as license. The only exception given by Christ is for “the cause of fornication” (Greek porneia), meaning sexual unfaithfulness.

These statements make it clear that adultery or fornication is a legitimate ground for divorce. However, the legitimacy of the divorce does not necessarily establish the legitimacy of remarriage.

Scripture never commands that one must divorce an unfaithful wife or husband. On the contrary, there are many examples of extending forgiveness to the adulterous offender (Gen. 38:26; Hos. 3:1; John 8:1-11). The responsibility of divorce is clearly laid upon the one seeking the divorce.

“Whosoever shall put away his wife” without biblical basis “causeth her to commit adultery.” Thus, the divorcer brings about an unjust suspicion upon the divorcee.

Divorce

Matthew 5:31 “It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:”

hath been said... The rabbis had taken liberty with what Scripture actually said. They referred to (Deut. 24:1-4), as if it were given merely to regulate the paperwork when one sought divorce. Thus, they had wrongly concluded that men could divorce their wives for anything that displeased them, as long as they gave “a certificate of divorce.”

But Moses provided this as a concession to protect the woman who was divorced, not to justify or legalize divorce under all circumstances.

Whosoever shall put... Deut. 24:1-4; Isa. 50:1; Jer. 3:8.

put away his... Greek: apoluo, to loose (Mat. 18:27); release (Mat. 27:15-26); let go (Luke 14:4); set at liberty (Acts 26:32); send away (Mat. 14:15-23); dismiss (Acts 15:30); put away (Mat. 1:19; 5:31-32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18); and divorce (Mat. 5:32). Put away here means divorce and was so understood by the Jews. If the divorce was granted for fornication, a sin God looked upon as most serious, the putting away was legal, Christian, and sanctioned by Christ. It made the contract null and void as before marriage (cp. Deut. 24:1-4).

writing of divorcement... A legal document dissolving the marriage bonds. Called "writing of divorcement" (Mat. 5:31; 19:7) and "bill of divorcement" (Deut. 24:1-3; Isa. 50:1; Jer. 3:8; Mark 10:4). See Mat. 19:1-12; Mark 10:2-4; 1Cor. 7:1-40.

When Jesus said this, it was about like it is now. People were being divorced for every little whim. Jesus was trying to show how important marriage is, and it is not to be taken lightly. Not being faithful has always been grounds for divorce, and in our day homosexual activity is also, grounds for divorce.

(Mat. 19:3-9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18) Among the Jewish leaders were two schools of thought regarding the matter of divorce (Deut. 24:1). Those who followed Hillel said it was permissible for a husband to divorce his wife for any reason at all, but the other group (those following Shammai) said divorce was permissible only for a major offense.

Book of Hosea Chapter 3 Vs. 4

 Hosea Redeems His Wife

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: Hos. 3:4

the children of... All this has been literally true for many centuries. From 606 B.C. until today they have not had a king or a prince. They did return from Babylon and renew the sacrifices, but since 70 A.D. they have not even had this. They have been without images and teraphim all these years so the prophecy has been literally fulfilled.

without an ephod... Idolatrous items of priestly clothing and objects of worship (idols in this case).

They have been stripped from all privileges of worship, as the harlot had been stripped of contact with her lovers. In the king and prince, we see they are stripped of their civil authority. All forms of religion had been stripped, as well. The image is representing the worship of false gods. The ephod was worn by the High Priest, and was their connection to God. God spoke to the people through the Urim and Thummim of the ephod of the High Priest. Soothsaying was done through the teraphim.

The Illustration Explained

Gomer’s lengthy period of isolation was designed to portray Israel’s exile, when the nation would be separated from its illicit institutions and practices (cf. Hos. 2:6-7). The absence of king and prince implied loss of national sovereignty. The elimination of sacrifice and sacred stones meant the cessation of formal religious activity. Sacrifices, having been commanded by the Lord, were a legitimate aspect of worship when offered with an attitude of total devotion to God. However, in Israel sacrifices had become contaminated by their association with Baal worship (cf. Hos. 4:19) and by the people’s failure to obey “the more important matters of the Law” (Mat. 23:23; cf. Hos. 6:6; 8:11-13). “Sacred stones” (maṣṣēḇâh) had been a legitimate part of patriarchal worship (cf. Gen. 28:18, 28:22; 31:13). However, because of those stones’ association with pagan religion, Israel was forbidden to use them after entering Canaan (Lev. 26:1; Deut. 16:22). In direct violation of this covenant stipulation Israel had erected such stones as part of its Baal worship (2Kgs. 3:2; 10:26-27; 17:10; Hos. 10:1; Mic. 5:13).

Ephod and idol refer to methods of divination. In this context the ephod was not the garment worn by a priest, but a cultic object (cf. Jdg. 8:27 and Roland de Vaux, Ancient Israel. 2 vols. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1965, 2:350). Idols (t^erāp̱ı̂m), sometimes found in homes (Gen. 31:19; 1Sam. 19:13, 19:16) or in a king’s collection of divination devices (Eze. 21:21), were despised by the Lord (1Sam. 15:23; 2Kgs. 23:24). These two items (ephod and idol) are also mentioned together in Judges (Jdg. 17:5; 18:14, 18:17-18, 18:20) as part of the belongings of an Ephraimite’s personal priest. These instruments of divination were confiscated by the Danites and used in their unauthorized worship system (Jdg. 18:27-31).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 30

 Lust

Matthew 5:30 “And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

if thy right... These 2 verses above are fundamental. It would truly be better to be blind, and on our way to heaven, than to see clearly on our way to hell. It also would be better to be a cripple, and on our way to heaven, than to go to hell with a whole body.

Sometimes, our good looks, or our special physical abilities, may turn our heads and cause us to believe we do not need God. This I believe, is what this Scripture is talking about. Anything that draws us away from God is bad.

cast into hell... Used three times here (Mat. 5:22, 5:29-30; 18:8-9; Mark 9:43-48; Isa. 66:24).

Jesus was advocating the removal of the inward cause of offense. Since a lustful heart would ultimately lead to adultery, one’s heart must be changed. Only by such a change of heart can one escape hell (“Gehenna”; cf. Mat. 5:22).

Book of Hosea Chapter 3 Vs. 3

 Hosea Redeems His Wife

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. Hos. 3:3

I said unto... Hosea must have been a wonderful man to obey the order to obtain a wife of whoredoms in the first place, and to show no resentment at being asked to buy her back again, after she had returned to her old lovers. He seemed to recognize the experience as part of God’s eternal message to his people; and being a true servant he did not question the wisdom of God.

Thou shalt abide... He simply made a cold contract with his wife to keep herself only to him for the price of $75 (Hos. 3:2). She shalt abide in seclusion at my discretion. The “many days” are an indefinite period of amendment, while watchful care was being exercised over her. During this time, she is to withdraw herself from her paramour and also from her husband. And wait in an unmarried condition, until I see it fit to espouse thee. Many days: It is not said how long, but a slave, as she is represented here, may not think this severe; the preferment will compensate her waiting.

thou shalt not... This is the third condition, she is to live chaste and modest, not to do as she had done. This was to settle her in a virtuous life, and to prove whether she would betake herself to a life praiseworthy.

and thou shalt... She was not to go with any other man, and was to keep herself for Hosea for "many days" (Hos. 3:3). The "many days" were applied to Israel being in dispersion and without being a nation (Hos. 3:3-4). Afterward they were to return to God and become His wife again as Gomer had become the wife of Hosea a second time after being away from him for a time (Hos. 3:5). She is bound to marry, none other, nor to commit adultery with any other.

so will I... In due time I will accomplish the contract, and, as I wait, so I will be for thee. So the deed is mutually sealed and signed.

This is a very personal Scripture. "Abide", in this particular instance, means sit still. This is like a punishment for her unfaithfulness. He does not take a chance on her being unfaithful with another man during this time. She is in isolation. He includes himself in this, as well. It seems for a period of time, she is totally separated from all contact with men.

This again, symbolizes the fact that Israel would be in captivity. She would not be able to play the harlot with her false gods, and she would be alienated from God at the same time. God would choose the length of time of her captivity, for her punishment for spiritual adultery.

After acquiring legal possession of Gomer, Hosea informed her that her adulterous lifestyle was over. She would remain at home with him, isolated from all potential lovers. The meaning of the final clause in Hos. 3:3 is unclear. The text literally reads, “and also I toward you.” The NIV (and I will live with you) understands the expression to be analogous to the preceding you are to live with me, meaning that both parties would devote themselves entirely to each other. Others understand the clause to mean that Hosea would abstain from sexual relations with her for a prolonged period of time (NEB).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 29

 

Verses 29-30: The statement of cutting off one’s hand or plucking out one’s eye definitely is not to be taken literally. What Jesus implies is that if “thy right eye offend thee,” then the logical thing to do would be to “pluck it out.” His point is not that one should literally pluck out his eye, but that one should recognize that the source of lust comes from within the mind and heart of man, not from the physical organ itself.

The right eye is not the source of sin; the heart of man is that source. The seriousness of the sin of lusting is thus illustrated by this graphic comparison. Ultimately, it would be better for a person to be physically maimed than to go to hell forever.

However, doing physical damage to oneself doesn’t in any way guarantee entrance into heaven. Jesus is simply teaching that man must bring the passions of his heart under the control of the Spirit of God.

Lust

Matthew 5:29 “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

eye offend thee... To cause a moral fall and loss of the soul by some means.

pluck it out... Nothing is gained by changing the literal meaning. Jesus was not advocating self-mutilation (for this would not in fact cure lust, which is actually a problem of the heart). He was using this graphic hyperbole to demonstrate the seriousness of sins of lust and evil desire.

it is profitable... Giving the reason why one should get rid of the offending member. Would it not be more profitable to do this literally than to have all members cast into eternal hell? Jesus is simply emphasizing the terribleness of eternal hell. There is a better method than this provided by the gospel. If one will become a new creature in Christ by the new birth this problem of sinful members will be solved (2Cor. 5:17-18; Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; 1Jhn. 1:7; 2:29; 3:6-10; 5:1-5, 5:18). See Mat. 18:8-9.

whole body should... Used twice of the whole body going to hell (Mat. 5:29-30; 10:28; Luke 12:5; Rev. 20:11-15).

The point is that it would be “better” (verse 30), to lose a member of one’s own body that to bear the eternal consequences of the guilt from such a sin. Sin must be dealt with drastically because of its deadly effects.

Jesus’ words recorded in Mat. 5:29-30 have often been misunderstood. Obviously Jesus was not teaching physical mutilation, for a blind man could have as much of a problem with lust as a sighted person, and a man with only one hand might use it also to sin. Jesus was advocating the removal of the inward cause of offense.

Book of Hosea Chapter 3 Vs. 2

 Hosea Redeems His Wife

So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: Hos. 3:2

So I bought... Price of Hosea’s wife: Probably from a slave auction, Hosea purchased Gomer for 15 shekels of silver and 1-1/2 homers of barley. Together, the total may have equaled 30 pieces of silver, the price paid for a common slave (Exodus 21:32). Barley was the offering of one accused of adultery (Num. 5:15).

The price paid to redeem Gomer is indicative of the depth to which she had sunk, as we see in this Israel. Barley was considered to be a food fit only for animals, and was eaten only by the poorest people.

15 shekels of silver @ $2.50 each: $37.50

and for an... 1.5 homers of barley—9.375 bushels (6.25 bushels to a homer) @ $4.00 each bushel: $37.50 Means redemption. Fifteen is five time three. The number 5 symbolizes grace and 3 symbolizes God. This is saying, by the grace of God, she was redeemed. We see also by Gods grace the remnant of Israel will be saved. We must also note that although we see in scripture that all Israel will be saved. This is speaking of the remnant because the remnant is the portion of Israel that believes in Christ Jesus.

Total:$75.00

The amount of 15 shekels was the redemption price of a slave. The barley (not made into flour) was the most valuable part of the price.

pieces of silver... Shekels. One was worth $2.50.

Lev. 27:16 "And if a man shall sanctify unto the LORD [some part] of a field of his possession, then thy estimation shall be according to the seed thereof: a homer of barley seed [shall be valued] at fifty shekels of silver."

A Homer was about 8 bushels. This homer and a 1/2 homer would have been 12 bushels of barley. Barley was thought of as the peasant's grain, because it was cheaper. Figuring this out in our money today, she brought less than 100 dollars. Perhaps, this has something to do with the fact that all who belong to God are bought and paid for. Christians are bought with the precious blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ).

Hosea’s Obedient Response

Hosea responded obediently to the Lord’s command (cf. Hos. 1:3). He bought his wife back for a substantial price. A homer and lethek of barley were probably valued together at 15 shekels (Wolff, Hosea, p. 61). So the payment with the 15 shekels of silver was equivalent to 30 shekels, the price of a slave (cf. Exo. 21:32).

The circumstances surrounding this purchase are uncertain. Whether Hosea had legally divorced Gomer is unknown. She may have become a temple prostitute or was perhaps the legal property of someone who employed her as a concubine or hired her out as a prostitute. The phrase “loved by another” (Hos. 3:1) seems to suggest she was owned by another. However, the word “another” (rēa‛, “friend, fellow citizen”) may refer to Hosea, not a paramour (cf. Jer. 3:20). The following statement concerning the Lord’s love for Israel favors this. In this case one might translate, “Love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet [is] an adulteress” (Hos. 3:1 2, NASB).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 28

 Lust

Matthew 5:28 “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

looketh on a... With continual longing with the mind made up to commit the act if at all possible (Jas. 1:13-16). It becomes a state of the heart and is as deadly as the act itself (1Sam. 16:7; Mark 7:19-23).

Our hearts will be judged, even more than our deeds. The desire to sin is worse than the act of sin, unknowingly committed. Premeditated murder is much worse than killing someone during an argument, because of the desire of the heart to murder. Our hearts are either desperately wicked and cause us to sin, or we have pure hearts which make us righteous in God’s sight.

The Bible says, whatever is in our hearts will come out of our mouth. We cannot speak both good and evil, because sweet and bitter water does not come from the same well. Whatever is in our hearts is what we really are. Following Jesus, or Satan, comes from the heart. The whole thing takes place in the heart, as we read in Rom. 10:9-10.

Rom. 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

They Pharisees’ said the only way one could commit adultery was through an act of sexual union. They correctly quoted the commandment, but they missed its point. Adultery begins within one’s heart (looking lustfully) and follows in the act. The lustful desire, in the heart, as wrong as the act, indicates that one is not rightly related to God.

Book of Hosea Chapter 3 Vs. 1

 

Hosea Redeems His Wife

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. Hos. 3:1

said the LORD... The 5th prophecy in Hosea (Hos. 3:1-5: 3:4 fulfilled; Hos. 3:5 unfulfilled). Next, Hos. 4:1.

Six Predictions—Fulfilled:

1. The children of Israel will abide many days without a king (Hos. 3:4).

2. The children of Israel will abide many days without a prince.

3. The children of Israel will abide many days without a sacrifice.

4. The children of Israel will abide many days without an image.

5. The children of Israel will abide many days without an ephod.

6. The children of Israel will abide many days without teraphim.

Four Predictions—Unfulfilled:

1. Afterward (after the many days and the fulfillment of Hos. 3:4) the children of Israel will return to Israel (Hos. 3:5).

2. They will seek the Lord their God.

3. They will seek David their king.

4. They will fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.

Go yet, love... Hosea was told to go again and love Gomer his wife who had forsaken him for her old lovers. He was to love her as God loves Israel who left Him to go after other gods, and who loved wine (Hos. 3:1). He took another bag of money and other things with which to buy her back again (Hos. 3:2); and made a contract with her to abide with him many days and not to play the harlot or be for another man (Hos. 3:3). This also was applied to Israel (Hos. 3:4-5).

If anyone had occasion to renounce his wife, Hosea did; however, he was instructed to love her still. Similarly, God continued to love an unfaithful Israel.

Having been previously separated, Hosea was commanded to pursue his estranged wife Gomer, thereby illustrating God’s unquenchable love for faithless Israel.

Some versions of scripture add “Raison cakes”: These were eaten as a part of special occasions (2Sam. 6:19), they may have been used in idolatrous ceremonies, possibly as an aphrodisiac (compare Song of Sol. 2:5).

flagons of wine... (Hebrew ashishah), are raisin cakes. They are similar, if not identical, to the cakes mentioned (in Jer. 7:18 and 44:19) which were used in the idolatrous ceremonies in honor of the queen of heaven.

Hosea is instructed to love this unlovable wife of his, as God loves Israel. God loves with unconditional love. While we were yet in sin, God sent His Son to save us. Man loves because of some reason, or the other. God loves in spite of, not because of. His love is Agape love. The greatest love shown ever is spoken of in John.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Most husbands love their wives, because they are faithful to them, and because they see them as being beautiful. Israel was unfaithful to God, and yet He loved them in spite of their unfaithfulness. As far as the natural man could look, Israel was worthless. God loved them anyway. Remember, the prophet experiences in the physical the same thing that is happening in the spirit with his people. Hosea must love her, in spite of her unfaithfulness and heavy wine drinking.

The restoration of Hosea’s marriage

As Hosea’s experience with his unfaithful wife portrayed Israel’s rejection of the Lord, so the recovery of his wayward wife pictured the Lord’s love for and restoration of Israel.

The Divine Command

The Lord told Hosea to demonstrate his love to his adulterous wife once more. This gracious act would serve as an object lesson of God’s great love ('ahă̌ḇâẖ) for Israel despite her gross unfaithfulness. Rather than responding favorably to the Lord, she was turning to other gods and loving ('āhab) instead the sacred raisin cakes, delicacies apparently employed in feasts associated with Baal worship. Perhaps they were similar to the cakes offered to the goddess Astarte (cf. Jer. 7:18; 44:19).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 27

 Lust

Matthew 5:27 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:”

Thou shalt not... This prohibits unlawful sexual relationship and upholds the sacredness of marriage for the propagation of the human race. Exo. 20:14; Deut. 5:18.

This is one of the 10 commandments. In Old Testament times, the participants in this type of sin were stoned to death. This sin involves the body (the temple of the Holy Ghost), and is therefore a very serious sin.

A second practical illustration dealt with the problem of adultery (Exo. 20:14). Once again the Pharisees’ teaching was concerned only with the outward act. They said the only way one could commit adultery was through an act of sexual union.

Book of Hosea Chapter 2 Vs. 23

 The Lord's Mercy on Israel

And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. Hos. 2:23

I will sow... This pictures the sowing of Israel as a plant of His own in the earth, indicating their restoration (Hos. 1:10-11). This is why the word Jezreel (the seed of God which He will sow) is used in Hos. 2:22.

were not my... Quoted in Rom. 9:25, not of the Gentiles only, but as an illustration of what may be true in their case as well as in Israel’s (cp. 1Pet. 2:10).

This could be the wife of God, Israel, who had been rejected of God. All relations had become new. God is starting all over again with Israel. This could also, be speaking of the unbelieving world, which has been offered the opportunity to be God's people. Whosoever will, regardless of nationality or blood line, shall have the opportunity to be God's people, and Him be their God.

Rom. 3:29 "[Is he] the God of the Jews only? [is he] not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:"

Rom. 9:26 "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."

The Lord Himself is pictured as engaging in agricultural endeavors. He will plant Israel in the land (cf. see Hos. 1:2), where she will grow under His protective care. The nation called Lo-Ruhamah (not… loved; cf. Hos. 1:6) and Lo-Ammi (not My people; cf. Hos. 1:9) will experience God’s compassion and will be addressed as His people. They will acknowledge that He, not Baal, is their God. This passage is parallel to 1:10-2:1, where the same reversal in the significance of the symbolic names is seen.

Hos. 2:23, along with Hos. 1:10, is quoted in Rom. 9:25-26 and 1Pet. 2:10. Paul quoted those Hosea passages to say that both Jews and Gentiles will be converted during the Church Age (cf. Rom. 9:24). This does not mean, however, that he equated the Gentiles with Israel and regarded the conversion of Gentiles as a direct fulfillment of Hosea’s prophecy. Paul clearly taught that national Israel would be saved as well (Rom. 11:1-36). Rather, Paul extracted from Hosea’s prophecy a principle concerning God’s gracious activity (cf. F.F. Bruce, The Epistle of Paul to the Romans. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1963, p. 196).

According to Hosea, God will mercifully bring a previously rejected people into a relationship with Himself. Paul recognized this same pattern in God’s dealings with the Gentiles. In Rom. 9:25 Paul, then, was applying Hos. 2:23 to the Gentiles; he was not reinterpreting the verse (cf. comments on Rom_9:24-26). Likewise Peter (1Pet. 2:10) saw the language of Hosea’s prophecy as applicable to New Testament believers, who by divine mercy have been brought into a relationship with God (cf. 1Pet. 1:3).