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).