AS THE HEBREW WORLD TURNED

#681        AS THE HEBREW WORLD TURNED

Scripture         Hosea                                                                                                                       

Recapitulation, 10/19/1977

Introduction

              With the coming of Hosea upon the scene, we approach the end of an era.  It was pointed out last week that Hosea would be the last prophet to the people of the Northern Kingdom, called Israel or Samaria (the capital).  Before we conclude the history of the prophets as related to the ten northern tribes, an overview of the contemporary scene is in order.  We need to understand, before Israel is phased out, what was happening in the world of the Hebrew complex.

              Our study will move into a neutral gear at this point:  The contemporary Hebrew complex tonight; the prophet Hosea next Wednesday, the Lord willing; and a review of the structure as related to the prophets the week after that.  We may well be taking a break at that point.  Wednesday nights during November and December have a preliminary priority.  There will be an extra business night, a mission emphasis, Thanksgiving, some Christmas music, etc.  We will probably continue after the first of the year, and Isaiah will be our first subject.  I will be happy to have the extra time to capsulize such a prophet as he.

              Let me encourage you to read ahead.  Hosea for next Wednesday.  (Pass  out outlines.) Start Isaiah for completion in December.  If the interest is sustained, we will continue with the other eleven prophets.

I.           The Political Scene: From Stability to Chaos.

              Following the great years  of the united kingdoms under David and Solomon, came division, 922BC.  Next, a century and a half of deterioration.  In 786BC, Jeroboam II became Israel’s king.  783BC, Uzziah became Judah’s king.  These two men would reverse the trend.

              It was a time of peace and prosperity.  No foreign nation strong enough.  The only warfare  of the period was Israel and Judah in expansion rumblings.  Prosperous trade agreements.  Forward reaching agricultural progress.  2 Chronicles 26:10 Uzziah—towers, wells.  Amos “winter and summer house.”  External peace and prosperity overshadowed internal spiritual sickness.

              It would do the Western nations much good to consider their own plight.  Amos:  For 3 transgressions and for 4.  Amos 3:2, You only have I known, therefore I will punish you.

              Hosea 4-7, Israel’s sin.  4:1, Hear the Word of the Lord ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge  of God in the land.

II.          A Pinpoint of Political Upheaval.  

              You can mark down the year, 746BC.  As long as even the corrupt Jeroboam lived, there was stability.  In twenty-six years—six kings total, unrelated—most assassinated.  Each with his own foreign policy (Hosea 5:13 / 7:11 / 12:1).  Religious inequities undermined (Hosea 4 / 8:13 / 13:1-3).

              But don’t overlook what happened outside.  745BC Tiglath-Pileser III (Pul) seized the Assyrian throne.  Within two years he was secure and ready to conquer the world.  Pact between Syria-Rezin and Israel-Pekah (2 Kings 15:29-16:10 / 2 Chronicles 28 / Isaiah 7).  Ahaz-Judah appeals to Tiglath-Pileser.  Assyrian record indicates Hoshea who was assassin. 

              Pekah was in fact appointed by Tiglath-Pileser.  He was a proper vassal king  until Tiglath-Pileser’s death.  He tried to pull away (II Kings 17:1f).

              Shalmaneser summoned and imprisoned Hoshea and marched on Samaria [in] 724BC.  Late in 722BC, Samaria fell.  Records indicate 27,290 leaders [were] deported.   Captives from Babylon, Hamath came in.  Hosea 5:7 [shows] dealt treacherously.

Conclusion

              The circumstances of these years caused the prophets to wear heavily the judgment of God.  Moral corruption, social injustice, religious ritualism demand the prophetic message.  Israel’s sin is intolerable—God is Holy.  Israel’s sin shall be punished—God is just.  Israel shall be restored—God is Love.

              The ten tribes will be definitive no more.  The Northern Kingdom will cease.  The remnant will survive.

·         Amos 3:12, “As a shepherd rescues from the lion’s [mouth only two leg bones or a piece of an ear, so will the Israelites living in Samaria be rescued].”

·         Hosea 13:8, “Devour like a lion.” 

·         Hosea 14:4, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.” 

·         Hosea 14:7, “They that dwell under his shadow shall return.”—God, Messiah, but probably is a reference to the kingdom promise of covenant.  The repentant of any age and clime and circumstance can believe that God will restore the penitent.