“Whirlwind” in the Bible

[Study Aired Oct 15, 2024]

The term “whirlwind” in the physical world typically refers to a tornado, associated with storm clouds. The Hebrew word “suphah” (סוּפָה) is primarily used, which can be translated as whirlwind, storm, or tempest. This natural phenomenon is employed in Scripture to convey various spiritual truths and godly actions. The concept of the whirlwind appears numerous times in the Old Testament, often in contexts related to God’s power, presence, or judgment. Notable occurrences include God speaking to Job out of the whirlwind (Job 38:1, 40:6), Elijah being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11), the nature of God’s judgment against the wicked in (Proverbs 1:27) and (Proverbs 10:25), as an instrument of God’s judgment (Jeremiah 23:19, 30:23), and judgement against Israel in (Hosea 8:7).

While the exact term “whirlwind” doesn’t appear in the King James Version of the New Testament, there are related concepts expressed through two key Greek words. “Thyella” (θύελλα) appears once in the New Testament (Hebrews 12:18) and is translated as “tempest,” referring to a violent storm or whirlwind. “Elaunō” (ἐλαύνω), meaning “to drive” or “to carry away,” is used in various contexts, often relating to the concept of being driven or carried. In (Mark 6:48) and (John 6:19), it describes disciples struggling against the wind while rowing, which can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual struggles. (Luke 8:29) uses elaunō to describe a man being driven by an unclean spirit, (James 3:4) includes being driven by the wind and (2 Peter 2:17) has clouds carried by a tempest. These terms and concepts in both the Old and New Testaments provide a foundation for understanding the spiritual significance of the whirlwind throughout Scripture.

As we dive deeper into this study, we will explore how the whirlwind and its related concepts serve as powerful spiritual metaphors throughout the scriptures. We’ll examine how these physical phenomena reveal spiritual truths about God’s nature, His interactions with mankind, and the spiritual realities that shape our lives.

In the book of Job, we see the whirlwind as a medium through which God reveals Himself. After Job’s intense suffering, lengthy dialogues with his friends, and Elihu’s speeches, God finally speaks to Job out of the whirlwind (Job 38:1, 40:6).

Job 38:1-2 “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?”

Job 40:6-9 “Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?”

In God’s speech from the whirlwind, He challenges Job with a series of questions and statements that underscore the immense gap between God’s and mankind’s knowledge. God asks Job about the foundations of the earth, the boundaries of the sea, the origins of light and darkness, and the scattering of the east wind in (Job 38). He then questions Job about his knowledge and control over various animals, from the lion and raven to the ostrich and horse (Job 38 and 39). God’s inquiries extend to mighty creatures like the Behemoth and Leviathan. These impressive beasts serve as examples of God’s creative power and His sovereignty over all creation, from the smallest to the most formidable. By presenting these creatures that are beyond human control or full understanding, God further emphasizes the vast gulf between His knowledge and capability and that of man’s. Throughout this discourse, God’s questions serve to humble Job and to remind him of the vastness of God’s wisdom and the limitations of man’s understanding. This powerful revelation from the whirlwind ultimately leads Job to a place of humility and renewed trust in God’s sovereignty, illustrating how encounters with the Almighty’s power can transform our perspective on life’s trials and deepen our faith.

Proverbs uses the whirlwind to symbolize the swift and overwhelming nature of God’s judgment against the wicked.

(Proverbs 1:27) “When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.”

It also emphasizes the temporary nature of wickedness in contrast to the enduring quality of righteousness:

(Proverbs 10:25) “As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.”

Jeremiah employs the whirlwind as a metaphor for God’s furious judgment against wickedness.

(Jeremiah 23:19) “Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.”

He reiterates this imagery in Jeremiah 30:23, conveying the intensity and continuation of divine retribution.

(Jer 30:23) “Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.”

Ezekiel’s vision presents the whirlwind as part of an appearance of the Lord:

(Ezekiel 1:3-4) ” The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. And I looked, and behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.”

This vivid description associates the whirlwind with the north, and other elements like fire and brightness, creating a powerful picture of God’s glory and serving as a vehicle for divine revelation. The north is also associated with judgement.

The prophet Hosea uses the whirlwind to illustrate the principle of sowing and reaping:

(Hosea 8:7) “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.”

This imagery suggests that small actions can lead to disproportionately large consequences, emphasizing the serious outcomes of Israel’s unfaithfulness.

Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Finally, Nahum portrays the whirlwind as an element under God’s control, emphasizing His sovereignty:

(Nahum 1:3) “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”

This passage illustrates how God’s power extends over all creation.

These Old Testament depictions of the whirlwind provide a foundation for understanding its spiritual significance, revealing it as a symbol of God’s presence, power, and judgment.

In (Hebrews 12:18-24), we see a stark contrast between the Old Covenant experience at Mount Sinai and the New Covenant in Christ, with the concept of judgment playing a central role. The passage begins by describing Mount Sinai, associated with the giving of the Law, as a place of fearsome forces of nature, including a “tempest” (thyella in Greek, reminiscent of the Old Testament whirlwind). This mountain was unapproachable, symbolizing the distance between sinful man and a holy God under the Old Covenant. The scene was so terrifying that even Moses, the mediator of the Old Covenant, trembled with fear.

Hebrews 12:18-24 “For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

In contrast, we as believers under the New Covenant are said to come to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem. Here, instead of fear and trembling, there is joyful assembly. Notably, God is still presented as “the Judge of all,” but the context is radically different. As believers we approach not in terror, but as part of the “church of the firstborn”, with our names written in heaven. We come to Jesus, “the mediator of the new covenant,” whose sprinkled blood “speaks better things than that of Abel”.

This comparison highlights a transformation in how judgment is perceived. Under the Old Covenant, judgment was associated with fear and the impossibility of approaching God. Under the New Covenant, while God remains the Judge, His people can approach Him freely through Christ. The terrifying tempest of Sinai gives way to the welcoming assembly of Zion, illustrating how the New Covenant changes our relationship to divine judgment without negating God’s role as Judge.

The Greek word “elaunō” is used in various contexts, often relating to the concept of being driven or carried. In (Mark 6:45-48) and (John 6:16-21), it describes disciples struggling against the wind while rowing, which can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual struggles.

Mark 6:45-51 “And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.”

In Mark 6:45-51, we see a sequence of events that illustrates the disciples’ struggle in Jesus’ physical absence, followed by His intervention. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends His disciples ahead by boat while He retreats to a mountain to pray. The disciples find themselves in the midst of the sea, struggling against a contrary wind. The Greek word “elaunō” is used here to describe their toilsome rowing.

This scenario can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual struggles we face when we feel distant from Christ. Just as Jesus had departed to the mountain, leaving the disciples to face the storm alone, there may be times when we feel isolated in our spiritual battles.

However, the passage doesn’t end with the disciples’ struggle. Jesus, seeing their difficulty, comes to them, walking on the water. Initially, His appearance terrifies them, but He immediately reassures them: “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” Upon joining them in the boat, the wind ceases.

This narrative illustrates that even when Christ seems distant, He is aware of our struggles. It demonstrates His commitment to come to His followers in their time of need. The disciples’ amazement at the end underscores the renewing power of Christ’s presence in the midst of life’s storms.

This account serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual struggles, though real and often intense, are temporary. Christ’s presence and power ultimately overcome these challenges, often in ways that exceed our expectations and leave us in awe of His majesty.

The passage in (Luke 8:26-33) provides a vivid illustration of spiritual warfare and the power of unclean spirits over an individual. The use of “elaunō” in this context emphasizes the forceful control these spirits had over the man.

Luke 8:26-33 “And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven (elaunō) of the devil into the wilderness.) And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.”

The man’s condition is described in stark terms: he had been possessed by devils for a long time, wore no clothes, and lived in tombs rather than in a house. These details highlight the complete devastation of his life by the unclean spirits, stripping him of dignity, social connection, and normalcy.

The phrase “was driven (elaunō) of the devil into the wilderness” is particularly significant. It suggests that the unclean spirits not only inhabited the man but actively controlled his movements, forcing him into isolated and desolate places. This “driving” parallels the whirlwind imagery we’ve seen elsewhere, depicting an overwhelming force that the man was powerless to resist.

The severity of the possession is further emphasized by the spirits’ self-identification as “Legion,” indicating a vast number of demons inhabiting one individual. Their plea not to be sent “into the deep” (referring to the abyss, a place of confinement for evil spirits) reveals their fear of judgment and their desperate attempt to remain active in the world.

Jesus’ authority over these spirits is absolute. With a command, He drives them out of the man and permits them to enter a herd of swine. The violent reaction of the swine, running down a steep place and drowning, graphically illustrates the destructive nature of these spirits.

This passage serves as a powerful example of Christ’s authority over spiritual forces and His power to liberate those oppressed by evil. It also provides a sobering picture of the reality and intensity of spiritual warfare, showing how unclean spirits can “drive” or compel individuals, much like a whirlwind in the physical realm can drive objects before it.

In (2 Peter 2:17), the imagery of clouds carried by a tempest is used to describe false teachers:

“These (false prophets 2 Peter 2:1) are wells without water, clouds that are carried (elaunō) with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.”

To understand the phrase “clouds that are carried (elaunō) with a tempest,” let’s examine its context and related scriptures:

This verse uses clouds that are carried (elaunō) with a tempest as a metaphor to describe false teachers. To interpret this, we can look at other scriptures that use similar imagery:

Jude 1:12-13 provides a parallel description:

“These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.”

Ephesians 4:14 uses similar imagery to warn against instability in faith:

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”

Proverbs 25:14 also uses cloud imagery:

“Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”

These passages suggest that “clouds carried with a tempest” represent instability, lack of substance, and unfulfilled promises. Just as clouds driven by a storm bring no rain and provide no benefit, false teachers may appear impressive but offer no spiritual nourishment. The use of “elaunō” (carried or driven) emphasizes their lack of control and submission to external forces rather than to God’s truth.

Interestingly, elaunō is used positively in Revelation 7:17 to describe Christ leading His people:

“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead (elaunō) them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

This usage contrasts with the negative “driving” in other contexts.

These New Testament uses, while not directly employing the term “whirlwind,” carry forward similar themes of God’s power, judgment, and guidance. They demonstrate how the spiritual concepts associated with the whirlwind in the Old Testament find new expression in the New Testament, fulfilling the principle that “the law having a shadow of good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1).

The whirlwind serves as a powerful metaphor across both Testaments, illustrating various aspects of God’s nature and His interactions with mankind. In the Old Testament, revelations of the Lord often feature the whirlwind, as seen in Job 38:1 and Ezekiel 1:4, where it accompanies God’s direct communication or revelation. The New Testament, while not using the exact term “whirlwind,” presents similar powerful manifestations of God’s presence, such as the rushing wind at Pentecost (Acts 2:2):

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.”

This parallel suggests a continuity in how God reveals His presence, moving from the physical whirlwind to the spiritual wind of the holy spirit.

The whirlwind often represents God’s judgment in the Old Testament, as seen in Jeremiah 23:19 and 30:23. While the New Testament doesn’t use whirlwind imagery directly for judgment, it continues the theme of God’s overwhelming power in judgment, as in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8:

“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Both Testaments use storm imagery to represent life’s trials and spiritual battles. Isaiah 17:13 describes the whirlwind as transient troubles:

“The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.”

Similarly, James 3:4 speaks of being driven by contrary forces:

“Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.”

The concept of scattering also evolves across the Testaments. In the Old Testament, scattering by whirlwind often represents judgment, as in Zechariah 7:14:

“But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not.”

The New Testament transforms this concept, showing how God uses scattering to spread the gospel, as seen in Acts 8:4:

“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.”

This harmonization demonstrates how the spiritual significance of the whirlwind develops across Scripture. The New Testament carries forward and often deepens the spiritual concepts associated with the whirlwind in the Old Testament. This aligns with Jesus’ statement in Matthew 5:17,

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

The whirlwind imagery throughout Scripture serves as a multifaceted spiritual symbol, consistently representing God’s overwhelming presence, supreme power, and righteous judgment. This symbol reminds us of God’s sovereignty and dwelling with us, His ability to both create and destroy, and His perfect justice. It also acts as a potent metaphor for life’s trials and spiritual battles we face. Just as a whirlwind can uproot and scatter, life’s challenges and spiritual opposition can disrupt our lives. However, God’s sovereignty over the whirlwind reminds us of His control over our circumstances. Additionally, the whirlwind can represent life-changing spiritual experiences, often marking moments of profound change or revelation, as seen in Job’s encounter with God and Elijah’s ascension.

These insights offer practical applications for Christian life. When facing “whirlwinds” in our lives, we can remember that God often reveals Himself in these moments. Our trials can become opportunities for deeper encounters with God, aligning with James 1:2-3:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

The imagery of being driven by winds warns us against instability in our faith, as Ephesians 4:14 cautions:

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”

We’re called to stand firm in Christ, our unshakeable foundation.

While negative forces can drive us astray, Revelation 7:17 shows that the Lamb leads His people to living waters. We can apply this by submitting to God’s guidance, acknowledging Him to direct our paths as Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages:

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” 

The whirlwind as a symbol of God’s judgment reminds us to live in light of giving an account, as Christ exhorts in (Matthew 12:36):

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

These applications demonstrate how the spiritual significance of the whirlwind can inform and transform our daily walk with God, offering deeper insight into His nature, His workings in our lives, and our call to faithful discipleship.

Throughout our study, we’ve seen how the whirlwind serves as a powerful and multifaceted symbol in Scripture. From the Old Testament to the New, it represents God’s overwhelming presence and power, divine judgment and intervention, life’s trials and spiritual warfare, and reforming spiritual experiences. We’ve observed how these themes, while rooted in Old Testament imagery, find continued expression in the New Testament through related concepts and terms like “thyella” and “elaunō”.

This study exemplifies the richness of Scripture and the importance of digging deeper into its symbolic language. As Proverbs 25:2 states,

“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.”

We are encouraged to continue exploring the depths of God’s Word, always seeking to uncover the spiritual truths hidden within.

As we conclude, let us remember that true spiritual understanding comes not from man’s wisdom, but from the holy spirit. As 1 Corinthians 2:14 reminds us,

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

As we move forward from this study, let’s carry with us a renewed appreciation for the symbolic language of Scripture and its relevance to our spiritual lives. May we be like the Bereans, who “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Let us continue to grow in our understanding of God’s Word, the whirlwind, having it to transform our lives and deepen our relationship with Him.

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Hosea – Oldie but a Goodie

In the first chapter of Hosea we learned some very valuable insights into the mind of the Lord about His relationship to His body, His church. Though this book is written about a historical and physical people, as with the rest of scripture, there is much more to be cultured from this chapter spiritually.

As we saw from the very beginning of chapter one, God mentions a split in His people from those that claim to be His people but who are not. As a representation of this truth, the Lord tells Hosea to take on a wife that is much like His adulterous wife Israel.

We see that with the marriage of Hosea and Gomer, there are definite plans from God to be worked out in Hosea’s life as an admonition to us, His true body. Hosea has children which are named specifically to show us, among other things, that God has sown a plan for those who call Him Jehovah but only pay Him lip service in their servitude.

Though there are only 11 verses in chapter one, they are very succinct and powerful in showing us  what this plan that the Lord has sown will result in and we can see the consummation in the last verse of chapter one:

Hos 1:11  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.

However, it is amazing that as the bible stories progress throughout the scripture, we continually see a progression in the details and the awesomeness of how the Lord reveals Himself to us. That is exactly where we are going to be picking up in Hosea chapter two. Lord willing, we will be given eyes to see that chapter 2 is simply a more in- depth working of this plan of the Lord in your and my life as we walk this walk with the Lord.

Truly, the best stories are those which once you hear them you could swear you have heard them before even though it is the first time you have ever heard them. That is what is so miraculous and awe- inspiring about the scripture as I learn anew what the Lord has hidden within the letters He has mandated to be pinned down. With that, we will start the study on chapter 2.

Plead With Your Mother

Hos 2:1  Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.

Hos 2:2  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;

In verse 1 we see that we are to tell our brethren, “Ammi” and our sisters, “Ruhamah”.  Immediately upon reading this verse I noticed that my brothers and sisters are mentioned together and the most prominent example that jumped out to me is when Christ mentions who His brother, sister and mother are in the gospels.

In fact, in verse 2 we see that we are going to be addressing our mother as well.

Mat 12:46  While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

Mat 12:47  Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

Mat 12:48  But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

Mat 12:49  And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Mat 12:50  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

This is also mentioned in Mark as well, but Matthew says it clearly enough to be able to see that there is something profound we are being given at the start of Hosea chapter 2 that we need to keep at the vanguard of our minds.

He that does the Will of the Father are Christ’s brothers, sisters and mothers and taking this spiritual principal and applying it to Hosea chapter 2 will open up the entire chapter.

We are to tell our brothers, “people” and our sisters “mercy”.  We are to plead with our mother to put her adulteries out of her sight and from between her breasts. In not so many words, we are telling our brothers, sisters and mother “you are my people” as we deliver the plan of God to them, but these brothers, sisters and mother are NOT those who simply say they are because they call the Lord, Lord.

We are to plead with our brothers, sisters and mother to put away the false doctrines from out of their midst’s and to take Christ’s truths and applying it here means by doing so we are doing the will of the Father but equally important we are being made aware of who TRULY are our brothers, sisters and mother.

It is notable that we are told to plead twice because when the Lord is working with our brother, sister and mother He will make it very apparent that this is the case and very apparent when it is not.

If you think I am reaching with what I am told is my own interpretation let the Lord speak for Himself with the next few verses.

Playing the Harlot

Hos 2:3  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 2:4  And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.

Hos 2:5  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.

We are to plead with our mother to depart from her whoredom lest the Lord make her naked, make her a wilderness, dry land and slay her with thirst. What example could we possibly be reading about here? It is none other than you and me and anyone else who the Lord is working with, that’s who.

Remember, this is a spiritual message that we are given admonishment about.  Doesn’t this sound like that story we are hearing for the first time that seems so familiar? That is because this is another reflective ray of light bouncing off of the same spiritual mind that is given to those who the Lord’s working with. Breaking down these verses is like telling the same story over and over but it is a story that never gets old. It is contained right here in this minor prophet’s book and has been for many, many generations.

In verse 3 we are told that this mother of ours, which ironically we use to be as the harlot church/ body, is naked and made a dry wilderness that is slain with thirst. Not only that, but we are told in verse 4 that anything that comes out of this harlot wilderness wife will not be shown mercy. I ponder who and what that could be?

Naked:

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Wilderness:

Rev 17:3  So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Rev 17:4  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Rev 17:5  And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Dry Land:

Gen 1:9  And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

Gen 1:10  And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

Slain with Thirst:           

Isa 3:1  For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

Joh 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Isn’t it painfully obvious who is being talked about here? Is it this harlot wife that I am sure glad not to be a part of? I am sure glad I have Jesus! Isn’t it tearfully and painfully numbing knowing that this whore of a wife is YOU and ME?

Who were the very first naked people ever? Adam and Eve. Where were they sent? “Into the wilderness” from the garden. Whose does Adam and Eve from Adam represent? The earth which happens to to be made very clear in Genesis from the very creation of the world and the water being separated so that the dry land could appear. We have seen and heard this story, have we not?

So I implore you, WHO is it that is TAKEN AWAY. If you have any doubt that the churches of the world have a little truth in them, then let Hosea admonish you again that the WHOLE STAY OF BREAD and WATER is TAKEN AWAY.
Still think Christ is in the church as the Christ Christendom says He is? Still think they don’t have another Jesus as we all once had? Let’s see if the Holy Spirit inspired any more admonition through Hosea for us.

Discovering Our Lewdness

Hos 2:5  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 2:6  Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.

Hos 2:7  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 2:8  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 2:9  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 2:10  And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.

G oing back to chapter 1 we were told that the subject of that chapter was Israel and we saw Israel being contrasted with Judah.  In verse 1:7 we see that the Lord says He will have mercy upon the house of Judah contrasted with verse 1:6 where the Lord says He would not have mercy upon the house of Israel. This was so much the point that Hosea and Gomers son was named Loammi, meaning not my people.

In verse one of chapter two, we are told to tell our brother, “ammi” which is obviously conveying the thought of these brothers being the people of the Lord. So, it is undoubtedly clear that there are two contrasting people who both call the Lord, Lord. However, one is the true people of the Lord and the other is not. We also see the truth that both call the Lord, Lord with the naming of another of Hosea and Gomer’s children being named Jehu…and Jehu literally means Jehovah is He.

In verse 4 of chapter 1 we see this:

Hos 1:4  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.

So, keeping this all in mind when we approach Hos 2 verses 5-10, we should have a very clear focus on who it is we are talking about. As with all biblical stories we can literally see the old man versus the new being played out. We can see that we were once Israel who will be shown no mercy and we will also be of the house f Judah who will receive mercy. We will be of the house of Jehu and we will also be of the house of Jezreel at our appointed times.

In verses 5-10 we see a very interesting dilemma being played out in the mother harlot as she hops from her to husband to her many lovers. She thinks the things that she is given are from her lovers, the bread, water, wool, flax, oil and drink, but we see clearly in verse 8 that it was the Lord who was providing these things all the time.

Isn’t it so true that we go after our own lovers in the form of false doctrines and the things that are so contrary to the Lord while we are living under the roof of another so- to- speak? Ironically, while we are there we are nourished with bread and water, covered with wool and flax, and given power through doctrine, oil and wine.

The Lord is actually working against us the entire time by SUPPLYING the things we need so that He later can take it all away including our lovers who we give the credit to. Look at this harlot wife.

She is giving credit to her lovers for the things her husband has provided and while she goes about her ways to go after her lovers she is being worked against behind the scenes by her true husband and she doesn’t even know it. Her paths are hedged with thorns, there is a wall that is separating her from her lovers as she seeks them and it gets to a point where she finally says to hell with this and decides it is better to be with her husband than be in this condition.

It sounds like she really despises her husband doesn’t it? Oh how she loathes her husband while it has been Him all along who has been taking care of her while she had other lovers. I think she is about to have another thing coming though if she thinks she is just going to simply go back to her husband.

Hos 2:9  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 2:10  And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.

Hos 2:11  I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.

Hos 2:12  And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, These are my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them.

Hos 2:13  And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.

This sounds an awful lot like the Lord loves days, times weeks and years doesn’t it? It sounds like He enjoys the things His wife did while she was participating in whoredom with her lovers? Obviously, I am speaking very foolishly. These are all the things that HER LOVERS have given her, not the Lord, right? She has done WHOREDOMS with them, and the Lord is clear that He will DESTROY them as even His wife says these things are REWARDS that her lovers have given her. Her husband is going to tear them all down and utterly destroy them and that is exactly why Paul states:

Gal 4:8  Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

Gal 4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Gal 4:10  Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

Gal 4:11  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Aren’t the things we just mentioned in Hosea partaking of days, months, times and years? Wait a minute Steven, it is God who gave His whore wife Israel these feasts, and Sabbaths and moons the mirth that comes with it, isn’t He? YES, but why? We were just told right here in Hosea and we will be told further. It is solely so that HE can DESTROY THEM when we didn’t know our husband, the things that keep us in BONDAGE.

We just read that it is the husband who is in actuality supplying the needs to the harlot wife, and it is also the husband who has given His wife, THROUGH HER LOVERS the things which He will vanquish.

But why go through all that trouble? Why does the Lord go through these great LENGTHS to simply only destroy everything He has been doing? It is because He has an unfathomable LOVE for His wife, His body.

He is willing to suffer the lovers being given credit for taking care of His wife, as the church gives another Jesus credit for being Him. He is willing to suffer the lovers being given credit for all these things because he knows the plan, the Jezreel, what He is sowing and He has given us a glimpse as He always does in the rest of this chapter.

A Door of Hope

Hos 2:14  Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

Hos 2:15  And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

Hos 2:16  And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.

Hos 2:17  For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.

Notice, it is in the wilderness that the Lord will bring His wife. Does this sound like a familiar story? He will give His wife vineyards from the wilderness, and the valley of trouble for a door of HOPE, and this wilderness will be as in the day when she came up out of Egypt? How in the world is this related at all to Israel coming up out of Egypt? It is immeasurably linked. It is linked because it is a direct relationship between Israel coming up out of Egypt as to the true people of God, the true bride, coming from the harlot wife.

As a result His wife will call her Husband thus, her man, and will not only call Him master, as was the relationship a lot of the time between man and wife in the OT.

It is truly amazing just how much our Husband loves us. After all things we have done, we will be given the love for Him back that He has for us. It reminds me of where Christ tells His disciples that they are not merely His servants but His friends. We, as the wife of our Husband, will call Him “our man, our husband – Ishi” instead of master or “Baali”.

          class=”bibleverse”> Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Joh 15:15   Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

It is at this point in our walk, where we have been made privy to what God sows, His plan, that we are truly able to be faithful to our Husband. Ironically, it is nothing that we have done to make it happen either. It comes about simply due to the love that God has for us.

Hos 2:18  And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.
Hos 2:19  And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
Hos 2:20  I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

It is all the Lord and His works that sets us free from the dominion of the things that are within us. It is the Lord who will make a covenant FOR US with the beasts, fowls and creeping things of the ground WITHIN us that will allow us to lie down safely and not longer be dominated servants of those beasts, fowls and creeping things.

The Lord will espouse us to Himself and Himself only and it is He who will give us the ability to be faithful to Him. It is just as Christ said earlier to His disciples in Joh 15:

Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

            Joh 15:17  These things I command you, that ye love one another.

“Ye are my friends if YOU DO WHATSOEVER I COMMAND YOU” and because of this LOVE we are called friends. Doesn’t being ordained sound a lot like being made sanctified, set aside, ESPOUSED to Christ our Husband? It is by this LOVE we have been shown for NO reason of our own, that we are also to show this love, this mercy to others – our brothers, sisters and mothers.

Listen to this miraculous plan:

Hos 2:21  And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;

Hos 2:22  And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel. 

Hos 2:23  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.

Where is Christ sitting? In Heaven. Who are we to Christ? His body. We represent Christ and we are the light to the world. We shall be linked to heaven through Christ and His Mind. We will be given bread, and wine and oil…Christ, his doctrine and with POWER…the Holy spirit of God and we SHALL HEAR JEZREEL…. What God sows…in other words, God’s plan. Isn’t that what we have been hearing during this entire study?

What is this miraculous plan again Steven?

Here it is in Hosea:

Hos 2:23  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.

And here it is in the NT:

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1Pe 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief.

Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Video Links

Hosea – The Lord and His Church

It is widely accepted in the organized church that Hosea and the stories contained in the books of this minor prophet are speaking about God and His relationship with Isreal.

What is NOT widely talked about nor known to most of Christendom is that this book is a highly concentrated example of what the ultimate plan of God is for all of mankind being worked through His body, His church – us, Lord willing.

Over the next several studies, we will be delving into how this book reveals the details of the miraculous and merciful work of God becoming All in all. Let us begin form the beginning of Hosea.

The “land” departs

Hos 1:1  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.

Hos 1:2  The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

Immediately, we see a spiritual picture being painted for us if we are given the faith to believe what we are hearing. Last Saturday, we had a phone conversation which focused on Rom 10:17 and I personally had noticed something about this verse that I had never really seen before. I have known the biblical truth of it for some time now, but it never was given to me to see exactly what was being said.

Here is Rom 10:17:

           Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I have heard this verse and read it many times, but I have never seen that if you read it in reverse you see the order of things much more clearly:

Word of God > hearing > faith

Word of God produces hearing and hearing produces faith. I had for several years thought that faith came and was given by God as a gift, and that is true, but there is something MUCH more being said here.

What is hearing? Christ mentioned hearing many, many times in His ministry. Hearing obviously is not meant to simply mean hear the vocal tones and pitches of the words physically hitting your ears. We all know that this is to be understood that we are given spiritual hearing.

What suddenly hit me like waking up on the beach on a hot summer day with my eyes wide open is that FAITH comes AFTER SPIRITUAL HEARING is given by the Word of God. Isn’t this true?

How many times have we all been guilty in the past or have seen many Christians claim to have faith in God only to show our and see their true colors, so to speak, and realize we had no faith in the end. We only THOUGHT we had faith until the trial happens. It simply was not given to us but we thought it was. This is no doubt the same way Peter must have felt when he denied Christ after vehemently telling Christ he would never do so.

I simply mention this little blurb of thought because I want us all to come to this study and all  of the rest of the Word of God with the mind that we MSUT always be diligent to pray that we be given the hearing that produces the faith that is so necessary to us enduring to the end.

It is the called, chosen and those full of faith that will ultimate overcome and I pray it is all of us as the Lord wills.

With that in mind, let us read Hos 1 verse 1 and 2 again keeping in obedience the thought that this is a very spiritual message given to us at the cost of it coming on physical Israel and Judah’s back.

Hos 1:1  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.

Getting back to my original statement, we see a spiritual statement being made at the beginning of Hosea that tells us the role of the true church versus that of the harlot. We see Judah and Israel being mentioned immediately and in the same verse to leave no doubt as to what we will be discussing.

Hosea will be discussing the same two men we always discuss. These two men have a father. These two men have a mother. One of the mothers is above and the other is below. One man is old and one is new.

Verse 1 sets the stage by informing us at what time this is taking place. Historical speaking, this is at time when there was a time when Israel and Judah were not in agreement at all. There is no doubt about that when you read of what happens to cause Israel and Judah to become enemies before all of this ever takes place.

That is for another study, but it lets us know that Hosea comes onto the scene at a very particular time. This time frame is where we see the beginning of the wor of the Lord coming from His prophet:

Hos 1:2  The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

The Lord instructs His prophets to take a wife unto himself because the land has departed from the Lord. We all understand I hope that the land is within us. Historically Israel had worshipped the golden calves that Jeroboam had placed at Bethel and Dan. That just set off a chain of whoredom that Israel kept from thereon out until that were taken away into Assyria.

Ironically, the Lord tells Hosea to follow this example but it is for a VERY good reason as we are hopefully going to discover in these future studies over Hosea.

Complete process

Verse 3-6:

Hos 1:3  So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.

Hos 1:4  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.

In verse three we are instructed very carefully what all of this will result in because the Lord is very particular that we pick up on the names of the people that He places in these stories. Gomer happens to mean to complete, finish or completion.

In verse four we are then continuing to see that this conceived son that was bore from Gomer will have His blood avenged upon the house of Jehu. Does anyone have a guess as to who this son is spiritually speaking? What about Jehu?

You may be thinking to yourself that I am being very facetious with the names but tell me this doesn’t ring home spiritually:

Jezreel = God will sow

Jehu = Jehovah is He

So put back in context and order

.. for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of what I saw on the house of those who say Jehovah is He.

Do you think I am stretching this at all? I believe Israel and physical Jews known what these names mean in their language and we too should be aware of what they mean so that we can somehow glean the whole picture of what God is painting for us in these and all verses of scripture.

If you think I am stretching these verses to fit this study, let’s continue to read and see if the message being delivered in any way reveals what I am saying to be true or false.

Hos 1:4  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.

Hos 1:5  And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.

Hos 1:6  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

In verse 5 we see that it is in this day, this day of the ceasing of the Kingdom of the house of Israel that the Lord does it by…. drumroll please….

…the breaking of the bow…

What is the bow in scripture? The bow is used for what? The bows is used to kill. The bow is used to deliver something that kills. Arrows. Spirtually, arrows are doctrine. Bows deliver this doctrine. It is in the VALLEY of JEHOVAH that the powerfully and deadly delivery system of Israel, this whore Israel, is brought to nought. Is that all though? No, it isn’t.

When this happens she that commits whoredom conceives AGAIN. This time, she conceives a daughter so that the Lord can continue to pronounce His judgment on this whoredom. He will not have mercy because this daughters name means not pitied. The time for pity has come and gone.

Taking the sum of the Word we know that God had already taken pity when He took His wife in initially. He brings her into His life, marries her decks her out and gives her everything she could possible want…but where am I getting that idea from? It is best understood when read. Quickly, I will read it in Ezekiel:

Ezekiel 16:4  And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.

Ezekiel 16:5  None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.

Ezekiel 16:6  And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.

Ezekiel 16:7  I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare.

Ezekiel 16:8  Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

Ezekiel 16:9  Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

Ezekiel 16:10  I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

Ezekiel 16:11  I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.

Ezekiel 16:12  And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.

Ezekiel 16:13  Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

Ezekiel 16:14  And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 16:15  But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.

So, we can clearly see that God showed pity on this woman when no one else did, but He no longer will do so as we read just a moment ago in verse 6 of Hos 1. Continuing in Hosea we see the nest verse:

Hos 1:7  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.

            Hos 1:8  Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.

In verse seven we see clearly that the Lord states that there will be no instrument of ours, no effort that we add to the battle, nothing on our part that will SAVE US. He will SAVE US “by the Lord”. Isn’t that instructive?

Remember, we are being given and are being told that there is a stark contrast between Judah and Israel. One is taken away and one is left. We want to be the one that is left “in the field”.

A few studies back at the local Indianapolis bible study, we had joked about how if we were to go sit in a church and hear a sermon on Sunday morning, we could take the sermon, reverse everything that is said, and it would all then be true.  What we were getting at is that the church tells us that we want to be the ones raptured away when in truth we want to be and Lord willing will be the ones left behind.

It is the old man that is taken away, the “you are of your father the devil”, the Esau who is refused His birthright because He sold it. We do NOT want that part to remain. The part that the Lord will save, the Judah that will be saved by Him and Him alone will be what is left in the valley to be stood up to obey the Lord!

When this has all been grasped spiritually we are then told in verse eight and nine:

           Hos 1:8  Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.

Hos 1:9  Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.

We now see a SON being BORN from this process of rejection. This son is born to show this people that they are not the people of God. Can this be any clearer than what we are told it is to be a physical versus spiritual jew?

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

What is amazing as I study this out is how strong’s concordance can see some of what is being said but cannot accept what is being said. Strong’s records the name Loammi as SYMBOLICALLY meaning not my people when in truth this is SPIRITUALLY true not symbolically.

Hos 1:10  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.

Hos 1:11  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.

Doesn’t verse 10 sum it up beautifully? The number of Israel, these that are not my people, shall be as the sand of the sea. Where have we seen that before?

           Gen 22:15  And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

Gen 22:16  And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

Gen 22:17  That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Gen 22:18  And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

But as if that is neither here nor there, because with God all things are possible and with God He sees the end from the beginning we are immediately told that, “it shall come to pass in the place they are told that they are not God’s people,” they shall be told, “Ye are the Sons of the living God”.

Where have we heard that before?

Mat 16:16  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Rom 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Rom 9:22  What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

Rom 9:23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Rom 9:24  Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Rom 9:25  As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

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.

Rom 9:27  Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

Is this starting to click with anyone? God is not slacking. He is, was and will be speaking to us all along as we come to know His Son and Him through His Son as we receive more and more of that eternal life in down payment form in this life.

Hos 1:11  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.

That which was torn off and cast away shall be brought back and grafted it. Both with come up out of the land, us!

Isn’t this a wonderful plan? This is truly miraculous. If you think this “little” thing we are experiencing in this life now is nothing important, then you simply have not been given the eyes to see and ears to hear just what is happening in you. What is happening in us all is the revealing of the Sons of the living God! The plan of God from the very foundation of the world is being brought about through this process He is working in you and me NOW!

.. for GREAT shall be the day of WHAT GOD HAS SOWN.

Next study, we will be continuing into chapter 2 of Hosea to continue to see how we are progressing in this process of God becoming All in all.