May 31
Lesson 14 (KJV)
Pursue Love and Justice
Devotional Reading: Deuteronomy 8:11–20
Background Scripture: Hosea 11; 12
Hosea 11:1, 2, 7–10
1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the [Most High], none at all would exalt him.
8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
10 They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
Hosea 12:1, 2, 6–14
1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
2 The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
8 And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my [labors] they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
9 And I that am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
13 And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
14 Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.
Key Verse
Turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.—Hosea 12:6
Justice and the Prophets
Unit 3: Called to God’s Work of Justice
Lessons 10–14
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Identify Israel’s problem.
2. Explain whether the predicted consequences of that problem better fit the concept of restorative justice or that of retributive justice.
3. Identify one or more modern parallels to elements of the text and develop responses.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. Rotten at the Core
B. Lesson Context
I. Father’s Faithfulness (Hosea 11:1, 2, 7–10)
A. God’s Action (v. 1)
B. Israel’s Reaction (vv. 2, 7)
Judgment Tempered by Love
C. God’s Decision (vv. 8, 9)
D. Israel’s Future (v. 10)
II. Lord’s Resolution (Hosea 12:1, 2, 6–14)
A. Charges of Sin (vv. 1, 2)
B. Direction for a Return (v. 6)
C. Persistence in Wickedness (vv. 7, 8)
D. Plan for Reconciliation (vv. 9, 10)
E. Resistance to the Plan (vv. 11–14)
Conclusion
A. Fruit for the Harvest
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
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Admah |
Ad-muh. |
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Baalim |
Bay-uh-leem. |
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Ephraim |
Ee-fray-im. |
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Gilead |
Gil-ee-ud (G as in get). |
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Gilgal |
Gil-gal (G as in get). |
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Zeboim |
Zeh-bo-im. |
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What Do You Think? How can you use this text to encourage those who feel that their bad decisions cannot be forgiven? Digging Deeper What other texts have you found to be valuable in this regard? |
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What Do You Think? How can we guard against allowing our trust in earthly covenants to supersede the new covenant we have in Christ? Digging Deeper What early warning signs have you noticed to be important in indicating that that is happening? |
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What Do You Think? What techniques can you pass on to others to help them wait for God? Digging Deeper Which mistake are Christians more likely to make: failing to wait for God, or waiting too long and therefore failing to keep up with Him? Why is that? |
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What Do You Think? What do the text’s frequent references to Egypt suggest to you about what to be on guard against in human nature, generally speaking? Digging Deeper What practices have you found useful in overcoming this human tendency? Be specific. |
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us put hands and feet to our claims to follow You—and convict us when we don’t. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Thought to Remember
Let love and justice characterize your life.
Odor, Judith, Charles R. Boatman, et al. “Pursue Love and Justice.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2019–2020. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson et al. Vol. 67. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2020. 335. Print.
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