Tough Love!

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

Text: II Chronicles 7: 1-22

Thesis: The Bible is the story of God’s steadfast love for his people as we have turned our backs on God. 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. God assigns our actions back to us.
         1. Proverbs 22: 8 – Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
         2. Proverbs 22: 9 – The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
         3. Matthew 7: 1-2 – Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
         4. II Corinthians 9: 6-7 - Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
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. Although the consequences of Israel’s actions were severe, God’s love 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.
         I Corinthians 10: 13 – No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
      2. Difficult Circumstances – You are where God meant you to be.
         Hebrews 13: 5b – “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
      3. Humbling Situations – The people around you are being used to accomplish humility.
         Philippians 2: 3 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves
      4. Money Problems – God meets all your needs.
         Philippians 4: 19 – And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
      5. Sorrows – We turn to our Eternal Comforter
         John 14: 16 – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever
   6. 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.

INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP