Key Truth: God will remove His presence from us as part of His redemptive justice to call us back to Him while He may be found according to His will.

Introduction:

Q: Have you ever experienced the absence of the presence of God? How did it affect you? How did you respond?

The People of God Take God’s Presence for Granted:

Hosea 5:1-7

“All over Israel, political and religious oppression keeps the people from the freedom that they would have via a true knowledge of Yahweh (v. 4). The nation’s government and religion were established by God to protect and benefit his people. Instead, they have preyed upon the people, like snares to trap and imprison rather than to support and protect.”

Douglas Stuart, Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 31: Hosea-Jonah

Q: What keeps you from returning to the Lord when you have drifted from Him? Are there any legitimate biblical reasons that should keep you from returning to the Lord?

God Removes His Presence From the People of God:

Hosea 5:8-15

“The judgment of the divine Lion is meant to prompt repentance and to cause sincere seeking of God outside of the corrupt cult….”

David Allan Hubbard, Hosea: An Introduction and Commentary

Q: What causes you to earnestly seek the face of the Lord? What are some ways in which you seek the face of the Lord?

Hosea 5:1-15 teaches us that:

-we shouldn’t take God’s presence for granted and return to Him while He may be found

-God will remove His presence as part of His redemptive justice to call us back to Him

Benediction:

Hosea 6:1-3