022005

GOD’S TOUGH LOVE
DOES GOD WANT ME BACK?

Hosea 11:1-2, 5-7 (Monday)
Hosea 11:1-2 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.” Hosea 11:5-7 “Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans. My people are determined to turn from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them.” (NIV)
1) Reading these verses, what do you think is the major emotion running through God’s heart?
2) Read Hebrews 12:6. With this in mind, what is God’s motive for scattering His children, sending war and allowing a pagan nation to rule over them?
3) How do you think it makes God feel when we don’t truly honor Him?
4) Do you see any evidence that God has given up on His children? Explain.
Hosea 11:3-4 (Tuesday)
It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.” (NIV)
1) Have any of you seen the movie, “A Place in the Heart,” starring Sally Field? (You can view this movie free on Comcast on Demand.) Anyway, a blind man comes into destitute family’s life and over a period of time they come up with a very unique way for him to step outside of the four walls that imprison him. They devised a series of ropes for him to hold onto and follow. These ropes allowed him to venture into a world that was beyond his ability to otherwise reach. I was picturing this scene while reading today’s verses. Those ropes provided this man’s with the gifts of freedom and security. True, there were still places he could not go and if he let go of the rope, he was sure to become disoriented and lost—the ropes served as a safety net that kept him away from any obstacles that might have been in his way, but most importantly, the ropes led him straight to the family—the people who loved and cared about him. (Although, in this movie, this particular man did not start out being very lovable—much like us!) Anyway, in these passages we see God leading His children in much the same way. He was leading them with His great hand—with the ropes of kindness and love. Do you think God can show us real love without putting up “ropes” that set safe boundaries?
2) Has God set some ropes (or boundaries) in your own life? How do you respond to these ropes—as a type of bondage or as the tender compassion and mercy of God? Be ready to share.
3) Do you ever feel compelled to let go of the rope—or are you holding fast? What is the usual result?
4) Just where does God intend for our “ropes” to lead us?
5) What does God say was Israel’s response to His love?
6) People who need to be led are blind. What does John 9:39-41 have to say about blindness? What type of blindness was Jesus referring to?
7) Another reason that people need to be led is that they wander, like sheep. What does Isaiah 53:6 say about this subject? How have we gone astray? What was God’s “rope” in this passage?
Hosea 11:8-11 (Wednesday)
“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man-- the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath. They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes," declares the LORD.” (NIV)
1) In verse 9 God tells His children (that includes us!) that He will not punish them as they justly deserve—that instead, He is moved by His compassion for them. How do you want to face Jesus and have Him judge you—according to your iniquity (sin) or according to His unfailing love? (See Psalms 103:10)
2) Yet, God will discipline! Why is discipline necessary? What is the motive behind discipline—punishment or correction? Anger or love? Okay, re-read Hebrews 12:6!
3) Again, in verse 11 we see the compassion of God in His dealings with His children. What was the heart of God’s motive for discipline?
4) Israel was like the worse teenager of all time! Sinning over and over again—not listening—going their own way—ignoring the very One who loved them! (Sound like anyone you know?) Yet, can you find one instance where God withdrew His love? How should that speak to our own wayward hearts?
5) Have you ever felt that you have finally blown it with God? According to these verses, is that ever possible?
6) Read Joshua 1:5. Too often we doubt God’s love and faithfulness. Or, we are so concerned that we will fail God. Isn’t it wonderful to know that it is HE that WILL NOT fail us! Isn’t that the most freeing message you have ever heard! Let’s give God a great big Hallelujah!
Psalms 103:8-12 (Thursday)
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
1) These are not just words on a page. The psalmist David spoke these words out of experience. God had revealed Himself to David in how He responded to different events and yes, sins in his life. Share some ways God has revealed Himself to you.
2) David was not the first one to use these descriptive words about God—they were first spoken about God by God Himself! (See Exodus 34:6) Now, earlier Moses had asked to see God’s glory, but God wanted to make sure that Moses knew what was in His heart! No wonder every knee shall bow! Glory!
3) Tough love—justice tempered with grace! I’m sure we’ve all had a dose of that! Fortunately for us, God found a way to bring an unholy people into His holy family. What made it possible for God to send our sins as far as the east is to the west? (See Romans 3:21-26) Again, what was His motivation?
4) Remember our study of Gomer and how she ended up on a slave block? Did she do anything worthy of Hosea loving her and buying back her freedom? What was his motivation?
5) Have you ever doubted God’s love or worse, like Gomer, refused to respond to it?
6) What was God trying to show Israel in having His prophet show this kind of unfailing love to his wayward wife? Read 1 John 4:19.
Luke 7:40-47 (Friday)
“Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” (NIV)
1) The man Simon was a Pharisee. Considering the fact that the Pharisees were strongly opposed to Jesus’ coming and messing with their “religion” and “rules” it was actually quite bold for Simon to open his home to Jesus. So, this shows there was some hope for him. On the other hand, Jewish custom demanded that when a guest entered your home, your lowest servant washed his feet (remember, we’re talking dirt roads here) you personally anointed the head of your guest with oil and offered him the kiss of friendship. Simon had done none of these things for Jesus. Why do you think he failed to show Jesus these well established customs?
2) What steps have you taken in your own life to welcome Christ into the home of your heart?
3) Go back to 7:36—how this sinner woman makes her way into this Pharisee’s house is nothing short of a miracle! She would definitely be considered “unclean” and therefore, unfit to enter the home of such a “righteous” man as Simon. But, clearly, nothing and I mean nothing was going to keep her from Jesus. She “washes” His feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair and never stops kissing them! I’m sure this was quite a scene! In many eyes, her loving display was the epitome of bad taste and judgment—further disgracing her in society—perhaps forever. Jesus says she went away forgiven because she loved much. Why do you suppose she loved Jesus so much?
4) Are you this free in your expression of love for Christ? Why or why not?
5) Suppose we all grew up in a loving Christian family and lived fairly godly lives. Is it a “given” that we only love God “a little?” Is it possible to “love much?” Explain.