Introduction: In the final four chapters of Hosea reminds Israel that though God is a righteous Judge, He is also a faithful and forgiving Husband. Even though Israel had played the harlot, God never forgot that He had made a covenant with them forever. God is faithful, even when His people are not.

I. Out Of Love, God Called Israel (vv.1-4)

1. God was a tender Father who freed His son from bondage (vv.1-2)

A. God had taken the initiative to love them, and He had made them apart of His own family (v.1).
B. The more God called to them, the further they went away from Him (v.2).

- They were determined to continue in their sin.

2. God was a tender Father who taught His son to walk and tenderly cared for him (vv.3-4).

A. God had taken the fledgling child and taught him how to walk and lifted him up when his strength failed, but they never realized that it was God who cared for them (v.3).
B. Like a farmer, God gently led Israel and removed their yoke so that they might eat with greater ease the food He provided (v.4)

II. Out Of Love, God Chastised Israel (vv.5-7)

1. Israel would return to captivity, but this time it wouldn't be Egypt (v.5)

A. Israel refused to repent, even though God sent His prophets to call them to repentance.
B. The nation would return to captivity because of their rebellion.

2. God would destroy the things they put their trust in (v.6)

- They made plans without consulting God, so their defenses would fall before the invaders.

3. The only time Israel would call upon God was when they were in trouble, but God would not listen this time (v.7)

- In the past when Israel called on God for help, He graciously helped them, but now this had ended.

III. Out Of Love, God Will Restore Israel (vv.8-11)

1. The compassionate heart of God revealed (v.8).

A. God's heart churned to think of making Israel as desolate as the cities of the plain (Admah & Zeboiim).
B. God is frustrated, and because of His love for them He doesn't want to give them up, but because of their sin He must judge them.

2. The faithfulness of God revealed (v.9).

A. Israel would not receive half of what they deserved.
B. God is Sovereign and is not accountable to man, but man is accountable to Him.
C. God would never completely desert His people.

3. The love of God demonstrated (vv.10-11).

A. In the past God roared like a lion when He judged the nation (5:14; 13:7), but in the future, His roar will call His people to come back to their land and God (v.10).
B. Like birds turned loose form their cages, the people of Israel will swiftly fly to their own land, and God will settle them in their homes (v.11).

I. Because Of Their Deceitfulness (11:12-12:1)

1. The entire nation (Judah included) had broken their covenant with God (11:12).

A. "Lies" and "deceit" refer to hypocrisy and unfaithfulness of Israel in its dealings with God.
B. While Israel had not remained faithful, God had!

2. Israel was living for vanity ("the wind"), and were receiving no nourishment (12:1).

A. Instead of grazing ("feeds," Lit., "to graze") on the green pastures that God provided, they were feasting on the emptiness of idol worship.
B. Lies and violence characterized the nation, and they fooled themselves into a false security by making foreign alliances.

II. Because They Followed The Wrong Example (vv.2-6)

1. Hosea traced Israel's deceitfulness back to its ancestor, Jacob (v.2)

A. Jacob's name meant, "grasper" or "supplanter."
B. Jacob's early life was characterized by an aggressive, selfish deceitfulness (Gen.25:26-27; 27:36).

2. Hosea cited several key events in Jacob's life (vv.3-5)

A. He struggled with his brother even before he and Esau were born (Gen.25:20-23), and even tried to trip Esau up as they were coming from the womb (v.3a: Gen.24-26).
B. While Jacob wasn't always the best example, here he is held out as an example of one who won victories through turning to God (vv.3b-5).

3. The deceitful nation of Israel needed to return to her covenant Ruler with tears and prayers (v.6).

III. Because Of Their Dishonesty (vv.7-8)

1. Hosea says that Israel was like a dishonest merchant (v.7)

A. The Hebrew word "kenaan," (ken-ah'-an) is used for the inhabitants of Palestine, the Canaanites, because they were traders. Hosea was implying that Israel had become like the Canaanites (v.7a).
B. Israel where using the scales of a dishonest businessman to cheat their customers (v.7b: Amos 8:5; Mic.6:10-11).
C. Rather than caring for the poor or oppressed, Israel delighted in oppressing others (v.7c: Amos 2:6-8).

2. Israel had become a self-reliant boaster, who thought themselves immune from detection (v.8).

IV. Because They Have Provoked The Lord To Anger (vv.9-14)

1. God would bring an end to Israel's sin and rebellion (v.9)

A. God reminded Israel that they were still His people, and would answer to Him for their sins.
B. They would lose their material wealth, including their fine homes.

2. Israel had no defense for their rebellion (vv.10-14).

A. God had sent plenty of warning for them to repent, but they ignored His prophets, divine revelations and teachings (v.10).
B. Gilead and Gilgal will be brought to nothing because of their idolatry (v.11)
C. Israel refused to look at all that God had done for them (from Jacob until now), thus provoking His anger against them because of her sin (vv.12-14).

1) God would leave upon Israel her guilt (v.14b)
2) God would repay Israel for her evil (v.14c).