The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-06-28
GRACIOUS INVITATIONS.
is'erpstioasi sssssy school Lesson
Zoe Juiy =. fsvo-rest, Hosea
t<u-o-Memory verses 81.


READ the whole book OF Hosea
PLACE IN BIBLE HISTORY "a Kings
Chaps 10. 10. u; Chron., Chaps %. "a. Is
CONTEMPORARY PROPHETS Amos.
Belonging to Judah. hut prophesyins In
Israel. Isaiah. Prophesylng In Judah.
SECULAR HISTORY. During Hoseas
ministry authentic history began IN Greco,
with the Olympiads. u. G. nc Rome was
founded u. G. 75s Assyria was the domi.
nant, overshadowing power during Hoseat
life. and was the instrument Of the execu-
ton OF the Divine warnings.
EXPLANATORY.
The Mission Of the Prophet Hosea
Hosea had fallen upon evil times, and
his mission was to make them better.
Like Elisha at the bitter fountain OF
Jericho, he was TO cast the salt OF right.
cousnoss into the polluted social and
religious fountains OF Isracl's life. and
restore the waters to health. The
Prophet Amos preceded Hosea. Ilis
message was one Of denunciation OF
sin. of WOE unto you," OF punishment,
OF warning. IL was OF Divine justice
The Prophet Hosea follows him with
a new motive, the mightiest that can
bo brought 10 bear upon the heart OF
man-the love CT God, the deepest, ten.
dercst, strongest love possible. "To
Amos proposition God is Justice Ilo-
sea adds, God is Love-"
|. lIosea's Personal Experience Make,
Him a Living. Visible Sermon on the
Power Of Love to Conquer Sin.-Chaps.
Ia.
II. Hosea's Appeals and Warnings
Chaps. 3-i4. lie shows how the people
are decnying morally, and rs a natural
result politically.
III. a Vision Of the Past.--Chnp. II.
The warnings and woes against sin are
interrupted by two visions; one Of the
past, chap. IL. and one OF future posi-.
bilities, chap. IA.
". The Vision of Hope.-1i:1-o.
First. The Prophets Appeal Tvs. 1, 81.
V. /. Return" like the prodigal son,
after his bitter experiences, unto the
Lord thy God:" whose child you are
to whom you owe allegiance, gratitude,
love, obedience. For thou hast fallen
by thine iniquity:" Again like the
prodigal son. They had found what
an evil and bitter thing" IL is TO forsake
Jehovah their God (Jer. 2:l9). v. g
Take with you words" Express your
feelings of repentance; make public
confession OF sin, NO that your penitence
may he known as widely as the sin;
put your vows and promises on record;
as 1t were. sign a pledge. Such things
are the natural Accomplishments OF true
repentance. "And turn" X. ", re-
turn. 10 the Lord. This Is the new birth
of John 3:3, 5. IL is, and always has
been, the essential condition Of saliva
ton.
Second. The Penitent's Prayer and
Confession Tvs. 2, 81. Take away all
iniquity." by free forgiveness. and by
taking away the sinful nature. $50
will we render the calves OF our lips:"
The calves, OF bullocks. were the larger
sacrifices of their ritual. Their vows,
their praises, their expressions OF love,
their confessions and promises were
their true offerings to God. Compare
lisa. 5s:j-li. W. "Assur, Assyria, shall
not save u.s." They will no longer turn
TO Assyria for help, as they had done
before (5:i3: 7:li; $50. For in thee
the fatherless:" "Lo-Ruhamah" Of
chaps. and 2. "flndeth mercy" (Com.
pare John 1873. / will not leave you
"comfortless," Greek, orphans"
Third. The Lord Speaks in Reply Tvs.
4-6). V. 5. 81 will be as the dew"
Rather, rs the night mist. |. G., the
masses Of vapor brought by the damp
westerly winds of summer. The baleful
effects of the slrocco are often felt in
Palestine during the rainless heat of
SUMNER, but by the beautiful provi.
sion Of night-mist all hardy forms OF
vegetable life are preserved. - Cam.
bridge Bible. "Grow:" blossom, las
the lily:" in glorious beauty and pro.
fusion. V. G. What beautiful picture
this is of the kingdom OF God on earth I:
the ideal which every Christian church
should seek TO realize more fully.
Fourth. The Prophet Pictures Israel
Under the Fulfilment of this Promise.
V. 7. They that dwell under his.
lsrears, shadow" The people of Is
rael. shall return;" Revive ms the
bare branches revive in the springtime.
Shall grow. blossom, "as the vines"
beautiful and fruitful.
Fifth. Repentant Israel Speaks. V.
s. What have TO do any more with
idols?' Israel renounces idols forever.
Sixth. The Lord Responds. IL have
heard (answcred) him, and observed
him:" and will regard him. The Lord
accepts lsrael's repentance, and will
take him under His care.
Seventh. Repentant Israel re ioices In
the result. II am like a green fir tree"
evidently thinking of the splendid for
ests of Lebanon.
Eighth. The Lord replies in words OF
both hope and warning. From Me is
thy fruit found" All these blessings
come from the Lord. as the life and
fruit OF tree comes from the earth
and air. So in John IS. the fruit on the
branch comes from the vine.