Sunday School Lesson
Lesson scripture: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Introduction: Jesus and death cannot coexist. Death has no victory around Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55). Jesus destroys the one who has the power of death (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus proved this in his earthly ministry. Prior to his own resurrection, Jesus raised three people from the dead: the widow’s boy at Nain (Luke 7:11-17), Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:21-43), and Lazarus (John 11:1-44). Five reasons made the raising of Lazarus the most famous: 1) Its proximity to Jerusalem—the others took place in Galilee. 2) Its nearness in time to Jesus’ own resurrection. 3) The reaction by the religious leaders. 4) The space devoted to the narrative—44 verses. 5) The “I am” claim associated with the event. This month our lessons have considered four joyous weddings. But today we focus on a solemn funeral. Funerals remind us that the world is not set right yet (Romans 8:18-25). Funerals remind us of our poor choices (Genesis 3:1-19). But when Jesus attended, the funeral death was swallowed up by life.
The Tomb Unsealed
John 11:38-40KJV
38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
The earlier narrative tells us of Jesus’ tender relationship with the family of Lazarus. Jesus was informed of Lazarus’s illness with these words, “Lord, the one you love is sick” (John 11:3). When Jesus arrived and greeted Martha and Mary, he was moved by their disappointment and tears. John 11:33 says, “He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” Whole sermons could be preached from the tiny verse, “Jesus wept” (v. 35).
Our printed text begins with these words: Jesus, once more deeply moved . . . We have a Jesus who can be moved. We have a Jesus who can be touched by our grief. Truly as the song says, “No one understands like Jesus.” But Jesus’ pathos was more than mere sentiment. His pathos moved him to action. “Take away the stone.” Martha probably objected for a number of reasons, but the one stated in the text is, “By this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” In Jesus’ day burial followed quickly on the heels of death. Bodies were not embalmed but placed in a stone-like grave for one year to give the body time to decompose. Then the bones were removed and placed in a bone box called an ossuary. But Lazarus’s decomposition would be interrupted. The pathos of Jesus moved him to do something that put the glory of God on display.
Jesus' Prayer
John 11:41-42KJV
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Jesus needed no excuse to pray. He prayed before meals (Mark 6:41), in the early morning (1:35), and all night before he chose the apostles (Luke 6:12, 13). He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-42). He prayed on the cross (15:34). He often withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16).
After the stone was removed from the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus prayed. The prayer began with Jesus’ typical intimacy, “Father.” It proceeded in thanksgiving, “I thank you that you always hear me.” It acknowledged that an omniscient God knows everything, “I knew that you always hear me.” Finally it allowed others to overhear and thereby believe, “But I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” Everything in John’s Gospel moves us to the purpose of his writing, namely belief in the one sent from Heaven (John 20:30, 31).
Loose Him and Let Him Go
John 11:43-44
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
The pathos of Jesus motivated the prayer of Jesus, which fueled the power of Jesus. Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” More than one person has observed that it was good that Jesus called Lazarus by name. Had he not done so, Jesus would have emptied the cemetery! Who could doubt that he had that kind of power (John 5:25)?
The next words are a stunning tribute to the power of Jesus. The dead man came out. What other teacher can do that? This power is what sets Christianity apart from other religions. Philostratus tells of Apollonius of Tyana who supposedly performed a resurrection, but it was never substantiated. Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism have nothing quite like this. Jesus is in a category all his own when it comes to resurrection.
Lazarus crawled up those steps with his strips of linen and sudarium (the cloth around his face). Jesus commanded his sisters to unwrap him like they would a Christmas gift. What words of liberation these were, “Let him go.” When Jesus shows up at funerals, dead people move out of the cemetery.
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
A Wedding In Cana
Sunday School Lesson
Main Thought: This beginning of miracles did Jesus in cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and His disciples believed on Him.
Introduction: Jesus was a worker of wonders. He worked miracles for several reasons. He wanted to prove who he was (Mark 2:10). He wanted to demonstrate that the kingdom had come (Matthew 12:28). He wanted to show compassion (Mark 8:2). He wanted to reward faith (Matthew 15:28). He wanted to fulfill prophecy (8:17). He wanted to display the works of God (John 9:3) and the glory of God (11:4). Jesus also wanted to give previews of coming attractions. He worked miracles to give us a glimpse of Heaven where there would be no more mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). In his miracles Jesus pulled back the veil of eternity and let us look, albeit briefly, into a perfect world. Miracles were quick fixes, but they were part of his salvific work. Everyone Jesus healed got sick again. On another wedding day the wine perhaps ran short again.
Out Of Wine
John 2:1-5KJV
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
On the third day (there are several third-day stories in the Bible) a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Cana was not far from Nazareth. Perhaps Mary was related to the wedding couple. Mary, Jesus, and the disciples were all in attendance. Perhaps more people came than were expected. Perhaps the wedding celebration lasted longer than normal. Regardless of the circumstances, the wine ran out. In a shame/honor culture this was a social taboo. We may not know what Mary expected Jesus to do (since he had worked no miracles up to this point) when she said, “They have no more wine.” But the remark seems to be more than an indicative statement. Maybe she was saying, “Jesus, can you do something about this?” Some think Jesus was rude to his mother, but the tone of voice makes all the difference. Consider the direct address, “Woman.” Jesus’ concern is that the situation forces his hand to act miraculously before he was ready to do so. After all, his hour (a key term in John’s Gospel) has not yet come. Mary did not feel rebuffed since she said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” If Jesus fixed it, the wedding couple and their families would be grateful.
Instructions to the Servants
John 2:6-8KJV
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
This section of the text tells about the actual miracle of turning water into wine. This was no slight-of-hand magician’s trick. It was an honest-to-goodness miracle. Jesus used what was at hand—large empty water jars that were used for ceremonial (not hygienic) washing. The jars were of different sizes and thus the estimate of 20 to 30 gallons each. Jesus had the servants fill them to the brim with water. This ensured that no other substance was added. Evidently the water turned into wine in the jars. The servants took the water/wine to the master of ceremonies of the banquet. He tasted the wine and was overwhelmed with its quality. He remarked about the wine’s quality to the groom. But there is something bigger here. One way that the prophets predicted the time of the Messiah was with figures of speech dealing with an abundance of wine. The following texts indicate that when the Messiah comes wine would flow down the hills (vineyards) in abundance (Isaiah 25:6; 55:1; Jeremiah 31:12; Joel 2:24; 3:18; Amos 9:13-15; Zechariah 10:7).
The Miracle Revealed
John 2:9-12KJV
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
Several of the biblical narratives have morally objectionable things in them for some of us. But if the emphasis is placed on the alcohol in this account, we have all but missed the point. Verse 11 is the high-water mark in the narrative. Jesus worked the first of his signs at this wedding in Cana. The New Testament vocabulary for miracles is this cluster of words: power, sign, wonder, and work. John’s Gospel uses sign and work. A sign is a miracle, but one that specifically points to something beyond itself. So it’s not about wine. The wine is a symbol that points to a greater spiritual reality, namely the Messiah. This sign became the means by which Jesus revealed his glory. Glory means God’s weighty presence and his shining brilliance. It is a key term in John’s Gospel (1:14; 12:28; 17:5; 21:19). The result of this was that the disciples believed in him. Believe is also a key term in John’s Gospel (20:30, 31). It never appears in the Gospel in its noun form. For John, believing was a verb, a response to the Messiah. After this first miracle, Jesus went down to Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee with his mother, his half brothers, and his disciples. They probably needed a few days to process what they had witnessed. Was the wine and the whole wedding feast a preview of something yet to come (Revelation 19:6-10)?
Main Thought: This beginning of miracles did Jesus in cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and His disciples believed on Him.
Introduction: Jesus was a worker of wonders. He worked miracles for several reasons. He wanted to prove who he was (Mark 2:10). He wanted to demonstrate that the kingdom had come (Matthew 12:28). He wanted to show compassion (Mark 8:2). He wanted to reward faith (Matthew 15:28). He wanted to fulfill prophecy (8:17). He wanted to display the works of God (John 9:3) and the glory of God (11:4). Jesus also wanted to give previews of coming attractions. He worked miracles to give us a glimpse of Heaven where there would be no more mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). In his miracles Jesus pulled back the veil of eternity and let us look, albeit briefly, into a perfect world. Miracles were quick fixes, but they were part of his salvific work. Everyone Jesus healed got sick again. On another wedding day the wine perhaps ran short again.
Out Of Wine
John 2:1-5KJV
1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
On the third day (there are several third-day stories in the Bible) a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Cana was not far from Nazareth. Perhaps Mary was related to the wedding couple. Mary, Jesus, and the disciples were all in attendance. Perhaps more people came than were expected. Perhaps the wedding celebration lasted longer than normal. Regardless of the circumstances, the wine ran out. In a shame/honor culture this was a social taboo. We may not know what Mary expected Jesus to do (since he had worked no miracles up to this point) when she said, “They have no more wine.” But the remark seems to be more than an indicative statement. Maybe she was saying, “Jesus, can you do something about this?” Some think Jesus was rude to his mother, but the tone of voice makes all the difference. Consider the direct address, “Woman.” Jesus’ concern is that the situation forces his hand to act miraculously before he was ready to do so. After all, his hour (a key term in John’s Gospel) has not yet come. Mary did not feel rebuffed since she said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” If Jesus fixed it, the wedding couple and their families would be grateful.
Instructions to the Servants
John 2:6-8KJV
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
This section of the text tells about the actual miracle of turning water into wine. This was no slight-of-hand magician’s trick. It was an honest-to-goodness miracle. Jesus used what was at hand—large empty water jars that were used for ceremonial (not hygienic) washing. The jars were of different sizes and thus the estimate of 20 to 30 gallons each. Jesus had the servants fill them to the brim with water. This ensured that no other substance was added. Evidently the water turned into wine in the jars. The servants took the water/wine to the master of ceremonies of the banquet. He tasted the wine and was overwhelmed with its quality. He remarked about the wine’s quality to the groom. But there is something bigger here. One way that the prophets predicted the time of the Messiah was with figures of speech dealing with an abundance of wine. The following texts indicate that when the Messiah comes wine would flow down the hills (vineyards) in abundance (Isaiah 25:6; 55:1; Jeremiah 31:12; Joel 2:24; 3:18; Amos 9:13-15; Zechariah 10:7).
The Miracle Revealed
John 2:9-12KJV
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
Several of the biblical narratives have morally objectionable things in them for some of us. But if the emphasis is placed on the alcohol in this account, we have all but missed the point. Verse 11 is the high-water mark in the narrative. Jesus worked the first of his signs at this wedding in Cana. The New Testament vocabulary for miracles is this cluster of words: power, sign, wonder, and work. John’s Gospel uses sign and work. A sign is a miracle, but one that specifically points to something beyond itself. So it’s not about wine. The wine is a symbol that points to a greater spiritual reality, namely the Messiah. This sign became the means by which Jesus revealed his glory. Glory means God’s weighty presence and his shining brilliance. It is a key term in John’s Gospel (1:14; 12:28; 17:5; 21:19). The result of this was that the disciples believed in him. Believe is also a key term in John’s Gospel (20:30, 31). It never appears in the Gospel in its noun form. For John, believing was a verb, a response to the Messiah. After this first miracle, Jesus went down to Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee with his mother, his half brothers, and his disciples. They probably needed a few days to process what they had witnessed. Was the wine and the whole wedding feast a preview of something yet to come (Revelation 19:6-10)?
Saturday, January 16, 2016
An Unfaithful Bride
Sunday School Lesson
Lesson Scripture: The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord. Hosea 1:2KJV
Introduction: School boys used to say, “Beauty is only skin deep, but ugliness goes all the way to the bone.” When it is spiritual ugliness, it goes deeper still. The minor prophet Hosea experienced spiritual ugliness. Like many of God’s prophets, his life got intertwined with his prophecy. Last week’s lesson about a most beautiful bride contrasts with this week’s lesson about an unfaithful bride. God can work through beautiful people, but he specializes in redeeming unfaithful people. This lesson holds hope for the unfaithful.
Hosea's Prophetic Appointment
Hosea 1:1KJV
1 The word of the Lord that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Hosea prophesied primarily in the northern kingdom, even though the kings identified in verse 1 were from the southern kingdom. All the kings of Israel (northern tribes) were bad. King Jeroboam was really bad. Ahaz was one of the worst kings of Judah. Jotham was not too bad. Uzziah and Hezekiah were good. This roller coaster of royalty made Hosea’s job even more challenging. But the bigger challenge would be in his own family.
Hosea's Wife and children
Hosea 1:2-9KJV
2 The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord.
3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.
4 And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel, in the valley of Jezreel.
6 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.
8 Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.
9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.
God made the unfaithfulness of his people personal for the prophet. Early in his ministry when the word of the Lord came to him (when he would speak by God’s authority), Hosea received an unusual request. He was told, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her.” One has to wonder what went through Hosea’s mind. But he didn’t have to wonder long. God went on to say, “for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” Hosea got it. His life was to be a sermon illustration on the order of a parable. So Hosea married Gomer (evidently a well-known prostitute). The betrothal and wedding must have been odd for them both. The children played an important role, and their names really matter to this Hebrew narrative. Gomer conceived and bore him a son. In fact Gomer bore Hosea three children in all, two sons and one daughter. The first son was named Jezreel. His name meant “God sows.” But what God would sow would be judgment and destruction. God would punish Jehu’s house for his ruthless destruction of Ahab’s household as well as special servants of Judah. Take note that Hosea’s prophecies took place during the Assyrian siege of Israel in 722 BC. Gomer’s daughter would be called Lo (not) Ruhamah (loved). God’s grace is not unending. It does have its limits. God would no longer show love to Israel. He would allow them to be captured. But he would continue, for the time being, to show love for Judah (which Hosea 11 shows). God would even save Judah, but the saving would be done his way—not by military power. Gomer’s third child was a son who was named Lo (not) Ammi (people). God’s people were not acting like God’s people. The rest of the book shows this. The people were destroyed for lack of knowledge (4:6). They left God in “a spirit of prostitution” (v. 12). Their love for God was as short-lived as the morning dew (6:4). They became as detestable as the gods they loved (9:10). They were bent on turning away from God (11:7). The names of the children indicated the unfaithfulness of God’s people. But some day the descendents would be called children of the living God (Romans 9:25, 26).
A Future Time of Restoration
Hosea 1: 10-11KJV
10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
The future of the unfaithful bride is actually quite bright. Hope always springs forth from God. Even though it could be interpreted that Gomer would be unfaithful again (Hosea 3:1-5), Hosea’s love (and God’s) was steady (11:1-12). God remembered his covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17) as evident by the phrase, “The Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore.” People not previously belonging to God would be brought under his loving reign. What is pictured here is God’s new Israel composed of Jews and Gentiles. The people of Israel (northern tribes) would be reunited with the people of Judah (who would experience Babylonian captivity). In other words, by the power of resurrection, God would bring forth his new people. They would have one new leader (Messiah) who would bring them up out of their spiritual exile. With a word play on Jezreel, God would be sowing something other than destruction. He would sow to reap a harvest of righteousness. The God of Scripture always brings life out of death, order out of chaos, and a bright future out of the most unfaithful circumstances. He always leads with cords of kindness and bands of love (Hosea 11:4).
Lesson Scripture: The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord. Hosea 1:2KJV
Introduction: School boys used to say, “Beauty is only skin deep, but ugliness goes all the way to the bone.” When it is spiritual ugliness, it goes deeper still. The minor prophet Hosea experienced spiritual ugliness. Like many of God’s prophets, his life got intertwined with his prophecy. Last week’s lesson about a most beautiful bride contrasts with this week’s lesson about an unfaithful bride. God can work through beautiful people, but he specializes in redeeming unfaithful people. This lesson holds hope for the unfaithful.
Hosea's Prophetic Appointment
Hosea 1:1KJV
1 The word of the Lord that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Hosea prophesied primarily in the northern kingdom, even though the kings identified in verse 1 were from the southern kingdom. All the kings of Israel (northern tribes) were bad. King Jeroboam was really bad. Ahaz was one of the worst kings of Judah. Jotham was not too bad. Uzziah and Hezekiah were good. This roller coaster of royalty made Hosea’s job even more challenging. But the bigger challenge would be in his own family.
Hosea's Wife and children
Hosea 1:2-9KJV
2 The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord.
3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.
4 And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel, in the valley of Jezreel.
6 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.
8 Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.
9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.
God made the unfaithfulness of his people personal for the prophet. Early in his ministry when the word of the Lord came to him (when he would speak by God’s authority), Hosea received an unusual request. He was told, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her.” One has to wonder what went through Hosea’s mind. But he didn’t have to wonder long. God went on to say, “for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” Hosea got it. His life was to be a sermon illustration on the order of a parable. So Hosea married Gomer (evidently a well-known prostitute). The betrothal and wedding must have been odd for them both. The children played an important role, and their names really matter to this Hebrew narrative. Gomer conceived and bore him a son. In fact Gomer bore Hosea three children in all, two sons and one daughter. The first son was named Jezreel. His name meant “God sows.” But what God would sow would be judgment and destruction. God would punish Jehu’s house for his ruthless destruction of Ahab’s household as well as special servants of Judah. Take note that Hosea’s prophecies took place during the Assyrian siege of Israel in 722 BC. Gomer’s daughter would be called Lo (not) Ruhamah (loved). God’s grace is not unending. It does have its limits. God would no longer show love to Israel. He would allow them to be captured. But he would continue, for the time being, to show love for Judah (which Hosea 11 shows). God would even save Judah, but the saving would be done his way—not by military power. Gomer’s third child was a son who was named Lo (not) Ammi (people). God’s people were not acting like God’s people. The rest of the book shows this. The people were destroyed for lack of knowledge (4:6). They left God in “a spirit of prostitution” (v. 12). Their love for God was as short-lived as the morning dew (6:4). They became as detestable as the gods they loved (9:10). They were bent on turning away from God (11:7). The names of the children indicated the unfaithfulness of God’s people. But some day the descendents would be called children of the living God (Romans 9:25, 26).
A Future Time of Restoration
Hosea 1: 10-11KJV
10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
The future of the unfaithful bride is actually quite bright. Hope always springs forth from God. Even though it could be interpreted that Gomer would be unfaithful again (Hosea 3:1-5), Hosea’s love (and God’s) was steady (11:1-12). God remembered his covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17) as evident by the phrase, “The Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore.” People not previously belonging to God would be brought under his loving reign. What is pictured here is God’s new Israel composed of Jews and Gentiles. The people of Israel (northern tribes) would be reunited with the people of Judah (who would experience Babylonian captivity). In other words, by the power of resurrection, God would bring forth his new people. They would have one new leader (Messiah) who would bring them up out of their spiritual exile. With a word play on Jezreel, God would be sowing something other than destruction. He would sow to reap a harvest of righteousness. The God of Scripture always brings life out of death, order out of chaos, and a bright future out of the most unfaithful circumstances. He always leads with cords of kindness and bands of love (Hosea 11:4).
Saturday, January 9, 2016
The Most Beautiful Bride
Sunday School Lesson
Lesson Focus:My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her
Song of Songs (also known as Song of Solomon) is the genre of love poetry. We expect to see many figures of speech, and Song of Songs does not disappoint us.
Extolling the bride's Beauty
Songs of Solomon 6:4-10KJV
4 Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.
5 Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.
6 Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them.
7 As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.
8 There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.
9 My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
10 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?
Celebrating the love between the
Bride and Groom
Songs of Solomon 6:11-12KJV
11 I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished and the pomegranates budded.
12 Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.
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