Tough Love!

READING FOR STUDY GUIDE: II Chronicles 7: 12-16

Text: II Chronicles 7: 1-22

Are there any questions or comments regarding Sunday’s message “Let’s Go Shopping!”?

Thesis: The God of all creation holds up before His people the reality of His steadfast love (hesed) in the face of His retributive justice. An understanding of the nature of God as demonstrated through these two contrasting perspectives brings us to the recognition of God’s “Tough Love” and the acceptance of Christ’s work of Redemption.

1. II Chronicles 7: 13-14 – “When I shut up the heavens..command the locust…or send a plague..if my people who are called by my name, will…”
   1. II Chronicles 7: 12-22 is God’s response to Solomon’s prayer outlined in II Chronicles 6: 12-42.
   2. Solomon prays for the forgiveness of God, knowing God will keep His covenant while Israel will suffer the effects of not keeping covenant with God.
      1. II Chronicles 6: 24-25 –When…Israel defeated…and they turn back and confess…hear from heaven and forgive…
      2. II Chronicles 6: 26-27 –When…there is no rain…and they pray…and confess…and turn from their sin…hear from heaven and forgive …sin…
      3. II Chronicles 6: 28-31 –When famine or plague comes…or …locust…and a prayer or plea is made…then hear from heave…forgive…
   3. Solomon recognizes the reality of God’s retributive justice.
      1. Galatians 6: 7 – We reap what we sow
      2. Assign again

Using Scripture references such as Proverbs 22: 8-9; Jeremiah 34: 17; Hosea 10: 12-13; Matthew 7: 1-2; or II Corinthians 9: 6-7 write in your own words, an explanation of God’s retributive justice

2. Hosea 1: 1 – 3: 5 – The times of Hosea were characterized by:
   1. Material prosperity
   2. Spiritual bankruptcy
   3. Things “got good” and folk “forgot God”
3. God’s steadfast love “hesed” is demonstrated through the actions of Hosea with his unfaithful wife Gomer.
   1. “Hesed” – loyal, steadfast or faithful love. Stresses the idea of belonging together of those involved in a love relationship.
   2. The picture is presented to Israel in face of the crises Israel will face in its future capture, occupation and exile by its enemies.
   3. God’s love has never waned.
   4. God uses crises to bring about surrender.
      1. He desires a surrender of my will.
      2. He desires a faithful relationship.
   5. Zechariah 2: 8 “For whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye…” God says, “This is My doing.”
      1. Temptation – Our weakness needs God’s strength
      2. Difficult Circumstances – You are where God meant you to be
      3. Humbling Situations – The people around you are being used to accomplish humility
      4. Money Problems – God meets all your needs
      5. Sorrows – We turn to our Eternal Comforter

In small groups, identify Scripture two passages that speak to your group’s assigned condition. Then explain how God’s steadfast love is at work in those circumstances to bring you back into relationship with Him.

4. Hosea 3: 2 – “So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley.”
   1. The gospel is the reality of Redemption in our Lord Jesus Christ.
   2. He “BOUGHT” us back by His act on the Cross.