Hosea 7:2
But they fail to consider in their hearts that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face.
But they fail to consider
The Hebrew root for "consider" is "זָכַר" (zakar), which means to remember or to call to mind. In the context of Hosea, this phrase highlights the spiritual blindness and negligence of the Israelites. They are so consumed by their own ways that they do not pause to reflect on their actions or the consequences thereof. This lack of consideration is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, where the people often forget the covenantal relationship with God. The phrase serves as a call to self-examination and awareness of one's spiritual state.

that I remember
The word "remember" here is also derived from "זָכַר" (zakar), emphasizing God's omniscience and His active engagement with His people. Unlike the Israelites, who forget, God remembers. This remembrance is not passive; it is a deliberate and active awareness of their deeds. In a conservative Christian perspective, this underscores the belief in God's justice and His role as a righteous judge who holds humanity accountable for their actions.

all their evil deeds
The phrase "evil deeds" is translated from the Hebrew "רָעָה" (ra'ah), which refers to wickedness or wrongdoing. This encompasses not only individual sins but also systemic and communal transgressions. Historically, the Israelites were engaged in idolatry, social injustice, and breaking of the covenant, which are the "evil deeds" God remembers. This serves as a warning that no sin is hidden from God, and it calls believers to live righteously, knowing that God sees all.

Their sins engulf them
The imagery of being "engulfed" suggests being overwhelmed or surrounded. The Hebrew word "סָבַב" (sabab) can mean to encircle or encompass. This paints a picture of the inescapable nature of sin when it is not confessed and repented. In the historical context of Hosea, the Israelites' persistent sinfulness leads to their downfall and exile. For Christians, this serves as a reminder of the destructive power of sin and the need for repentance and redemption through Christ.

they are always before Me
The phrase "always before Me" indicates God's constant awareness and presence. The Hebrew "תָּמִיד" (tamid) means continually or perpetually. This suggests that nothing escapes God's notice, and He is ever-present. In a conservative Christian view, this is both a comfort and a challenge. It reassures believers of God's constant presence and care, while also reminding them of the need to live in a way that honors Him, knowing that their lives are always in His sight.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hosea
A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.

2. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, often referred to in Hosea as Ephraim, which had turned away from God and engaged in idolatry and immorality.

3. God
The sovereign Lord who is addressing the sins of Israel through the prophet Hosea, reminding them of His omniscience and justice.
Teaching Points
God's Omniscience
God is fully aware of all our actions, thoughts, and intentions. We cannot hide our sins from Him.

The Consequences of Sin
Sin surrounds us and affects our relationship with God. It is crucial to acknowledge and repent of our sins to restore fellowship with Him.

The Importance of Self-Examination
Regularly examine your life and actions in light of God's Word to ensure you are living in a way that honors Him.

God's Justice and Mercy
While God remembers our sins, He also offers forgiveness through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Living with Integrity
Strive to live a life of integrity, knowing that God sees all and desires truth in our innermost being.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's omniscience impact the way you live your daily life?

2. In what ways can you practice self-examination to ensure your actions align with God's will?

3. How does the awareness of God's justice and mercy influence your approach to repentance?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to live a life of integrity before God and others?

5. How can you use the truths found in Hosea 7:2 to encourage others in their walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 90:8
This verse speaks of God setting our iniquities before Him, similar to Hosea 7:2, emphasizing God's awareness of human sin.

Jeremiah 16:17
God declares that His eyes are on all the ways of the people, reinforcing the idea that nothing is hidden from Him.

Hebrews 4:13
This New Testament passage echoes the theme that everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of God.
An Unconsidered TruthA. Rowland Hosea 7:2
Court IntemperanceGeorge Hutcheson.Hosea 7:2
God's Memory of Man's WickednessJ.R. Thomson Hosea 7:2
God's Record of Our SinsHosea 7:2
God's Remembrance of SinHomilistHosea 7:2
Inconsideration Deplored. Rev. Joshua PriestleyKnowles KingHosea 7:2
Man Beset by His Own DoingsPaul S. Biggs Shipley.Hosea 7:2
Man's Sins in God's MindSamuel Martin.Hosea 7:2
The Evil of InconsiderationT. Kidd.Hosea 7:2
The Sin of the PeopleHosea 7:2
Sin's MalignancyJ. Orr Hosea 7:1, 2
Sins of Court and CountryC. Jerdan Hosea 7:1-7
God's Remembrance of SinD. Thomas Hosea 7:2, 3
People
Hosea
Places
Assyria, Egypt, Samaria
Topics
Acts, Always, Beset, Compassed, Consider, Deeds, Doings, Encompass, Engulf, Engulfed, Evil, Face, Heart, Hearts, Mind, Over-against, Remember, Remembered, Round, Sin, Sins, Themselves, Wickedness, Works
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hosea 7:2

     1020   God, all-knowing
     6025   sin, and God's character

Library
October 6. "Ephraim, He Hath Mixed Himself" (Hos. vii. 8).
"Ephraim, he hath mixed himself" (Hos. vii. 8). It is a great thing to learn to take God first, and then He can afford to give us everything else, without the fear of its hurting us. As long as you want anything very much, especially more than you want God, it is an idol. But when you become satisfied with God, everything else so loses its charm that He can give it to you without harm, and then you can take just as much as you choose, and use it for His glory. There is no harm whatever in having
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Inconsideration Deplored. Rev. Joshua Priestley.
"And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness."--HOSEA vii. 2. Is it possible for any man to conceive of truths more fitted to arrest the attention and impress the heart than are those contained in this volume? It has been said that if a blank book had been put into our hands, and every one of us had been asked to put into it the promises we should like to find there, we could not have employed language so explicit, so expressive, and so suited to all our varied wants,
Knowles King—The Wesleyan Methodist Pulpit in Malvern

Prayer to the Most High
"Lord, teach us to pray."--Luke xi. 1. "They return, but not to the Most High."--Hos. vii. 16. THE Most High. The High and Lofty One, That inhabiteth eternity, whose Name is Holy. The King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the Only Wise God. The Blessed and Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords: Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto: Whom no man hath seen, nor can see. Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty: just and true are Thy
Alexander Whyte—Lord Teach Us To Pray

On the Animals
The birds are the saints, because they fly to the higher heart; in the gospel: and he made great branches that the birds of the air might live in their shade. [Mark 4:32] Flying is the death of the saints in God or the knowledge of the Scriptures; in the psalm: I shall fly and I shall be at rest. [Ps. 54(55):7 Vulgate] The wings are the two testaments; in Ezekiel: your body will fly with two wings of its own. [Ez. 1:23] The feathers are the Scriptures; in the psalm: the wings of the silver dove.
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Book vii. On the Useful or the Ordinary
The bread is Christ or conversation of the Lord; in the gospel: I am the living bread. [John 6:41] The wine is the same as above; in Solomon: and drink this wine, which I have blended for you. [Prov. 9:5] Olive oil is mercy or the Holy Spirit; in the psalm: I have anointed him with my holy oil. The same in another part: Let not the oil of the sinner, that is, admiration, touch my head. [Ps. 88(89):21(20); Ps. 140(141):5] Pork is sin; in the psalm: they are sated with pork. [Ps. 16(17):14 (unknown
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Exod 20: 14. God is a pure, holy spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness. In this commandment he has entered his caution against it; non moechaberis, Thou shalt not commit adultery.' The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our chastity. In this commandment there is something tacitly implied, and something expressly forbidden. 1. The
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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