E-pistle for October 25, 2013
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation October 25, 2013
Hosea, gomer, and their three children
(Hosea 1:1-11)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the author and background of this book
1. Hosea was called by God to prophesy to the ten northern tribes of Israel; his
name means "Salvation" or "Deliverer".
2. Historically, Hosea preached during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and
Hezekiah in the southern kingdom of Judah, while Jeroboam II ruled in the northern
kingdom of Israel; this sets the date of Hosea's ministry from about 755 to 715 BC.
3. Hosea was chosen by God to become a living parable of his message by marrying
a woman who would be unfaithful to her covenant vows.
4. The Book of Hosea is about a nation which God dearly loved; about a nation which
was unfaithful to Him, pursuing other gods (lovers); and about God's unfailing love
and His attempts to bring His unfaithful people back to Himself.
II. Meditation: on the contents of this chapter
1. Hosea identified himself and the historical period in which he lived, v. 1.
2. The Lord called Hosea to "take a wife of harlotry" . . . to marry a prostitute . . .
because Israel had committed spiritual adultery by departing from God, v. 2.
3. In obedience, Hosea married Gomer and the couple had three children: "Jezereel"
meaning "God Scatters", "Lo-Ruhamah" meaning "No Mercy", and "Lo-Ammi"
meaning "Not My People", vv. 3-9.
4. These names prophesied God's coming judgment upon Israel, but Hosea also
foresaw a day of restoration when the nations of Israel and Judah would be
reunited (under "One Head," the Messiah), vv. 10-11.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual truths seen in this chapter
1. God calls persons into the ministry; sometimes God's ways are mysterious and
beyond human understanding.
2. God's righteousness and justice demand that there always will be divine judgment
upon sinful people.
3. The Lord's mercy and love is exhibited by His patient, long-suffering efforts to
bring His sinful people to repentance, and restoration.
4. The promised Messiah shall change sinners into "sons of the living God," v. 10 . . .
"But as many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them He (God the Father) gave
the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name," John 1:12.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Reaffirm the validity of the Lord's diving call upon my life.
2. Worship and obey the Holy God, "high and lifted up," Isaiah 6:1-3.
3. Thank the Lord for His love, mercy, and grace.
4. Tell the Good News that: "JESUS SAVES!"
The god of all comfort
(II Corinthians 1:1-24)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul wrote a cordial greeting to the church of God at Corinth and to the saints in
Achaia (a region of Greece), vv. 1-2.
2. Paul taught the believers about the God of comfort, Who had delivered him from
death, vv. 3-11.
3. Paul emphasized his sincerity and hope that his words to the church would be
understood, vv. 12-14.
4. Paul explained truths about the promises of God (which "in Him are Yes, and
in Him Amen"); he revealed his desire to spare the church any additional
chastisement, as he had done in his first letter, vv. 15-24.
II. Meditation: on God's blessings upon His people
1. God is the Father of mercies and the God of all COMFORTS, v. 3.
2. He COMFORTS us in our tribulations, v. 4.
3. He does this so we may be able to COMFORT others who are in trouble, v. 4.
4. We are to COMFORT others with the COMFORT by which God has COMFORTED
us, vv. 5-6.
III. Observations: on the comfort which the Lord provides
1. Comfort = to lighten grief or to alleviate pain.
2. The Holy Spirit is our 'COMFORTER," John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7 (KJV).
3. Paul's suffering allowed him to exhibit to other believers God's comfort in times
of persecution, vv. 5-6.
4. Paul encouraged fellow persecuted believers with the sure and certain promise of
God's consolation (COMFORT) for them, v. 7.
IV. Revelation: on God's continuing deliverance
1. In the past, God has delivered us from death, v. 10.
2. In the present, God continues to deliver us, v. 10.
3. In the future, God will still deliver us, v. 10.
4. Christians, through intercessory prayer for others, may participate in God's program
of COMFORT and deliverance, v. 11.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Worship (praise and thank) God for His COMFORT and encouragement.
2. Invite the Holy Spirit's COMFORTING presence to sustain me in times of persecution
and suffering.
3. Be an example to others of God's power to COMFORT in troubled times.
4. Joyfully live in the assurance of God's COMFORTING deliverance, praying that others
also may be blessed through their difficulties.
BE KIND. EVERY PERSON YOU MEET IS FIGHTING A HARD BATTLE!
--Good Stuff
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