Episode Description:
Join Gary & Jane in this latest episode of Hearing God as they share how Hosea in the Bible heard God. They unpack how God used Hosea's life and actions to send specific messages to the Israelites who were unfaithful to God. God asked Hosea to marry a prostitute to demonstrate this. Since Hosea's life was a prophetic act, Gary & Jane share what prophetic acts are and how they can change outcomes. Gary & Jane also share how our name is important and can bring identity and purpose.
Episode Notes:
Background to Hosea:
· Hosea lived around 755 – 715 BC, around the time of Isaiah, Micah, and Amos. He lived in the Northern Kingdom during the reign of King Jeroboam 2.
· Hosea is famous for obeying God's command to him to marry a prostitute who betrayed his trust. His wife committed adultery, and the Israelites committed spiritual adultery.
· Hosea and his wife Gomer had three children whose names even sent messages of judgment upon Israel.
· God used Hosea's life and actions to send specific messages to the Israelites who were unfaithful to God, who had turned their back on God, and who were worshipping other Gods.
· You see repentance, redemption, and restoration throughout Hosea's life and that of the Israelites.
First Principle: God can and will do anything. God is sovereign. God can also ask us to do the unimaginable.
· Are we prepared to follow God no matter what?
· Will we remain faithful to God no matter what?
· Hosea 1:1 – "the word of the Lord came to Hosea."
· Hosea 1:2 "When the word of the Lord came to Hosea, he said to Hosea…" Hosea obeyed God. Do we obey God quickly?
· Hosea received from God through an auditory method.
· The first three chapters are about how Hosea lived, and the following 11 are about what he was to say to Israel.
· When you hear from God, run it past several tests – does it align with the nature and character of God, is there Biblical precedence, and see the advice of wise, trusted people.
· Don't hide behind 'God told me to".
Second Principle: Our name is important.
· They had three children. God said to call the eldest son Jezreel – because I will punish the house of Jehu and put an end to the Kingdom of Israel.
· Daughter Lo-Ruhamah means 'not loved' because I'll no longer show love to Israel.
· Son – Lo Ammi, which means 'not my people' for you (the Israelites) are not my people, and I am not your God.
· Our name is important. It can signify identity, purpose, and character and is often symbolic.
· Nicknames.
· There is often a correlation between hearing God and our identity.
Third Principle: Prophetic acts can change the outcome.
· Hosea marrying Gomer was a prophetic act. He was marrying someone, knowing she would be unfaithful, just like God with Israel.
· A prophetic act is something done (at God's direction) in the natural (physical) realm that supports God's workings in the spiritual realm to bring forth results manifested in the natural realm. It somehow opens the channel for releasing God's presence, power, and victory to affect the physical realm and change outcomes.
· It is not a formula or method you can blindly follow to produce different results. God is not a respecter of formulas. It is also not always possible to fully explain or justify the sense behind a prophetic act with our human mind. Doing something that constitutes a prophetic act is also not worthwhile if it doesn't first come from God.
· It is a physical action that God gives you to do that becomes a sign and decree to forge a breakthrough in the spiritual realm. Prophetic acts are powerful visual and kinaesthetic statements to the spirit world.
· In today's culture, we celebrate various occasions that once began as very symbolic and prophetic, e.g. 21st birthday key symbolising the key to the door, the wedding ring symbolising eternal love.
Biblical examples of prophetic acts: The Bible has many prophetic acts. Several examples are:
· Ezekial 4 – Lying on the left/right side, food and drink preparation, prophesying to creation.
· 2 Kings 13:14-19 - Elisha – King Jehoash's arrow. Get an arrow and shoot it out the window. You will now destroy the Arameans at Aphek. Elijah also commanded him to strike the ground with the rest of the arrows, but King Jehoash only struck the ground three times instead of 6.
· Exodus 12 – Israelite families killed a lamb and put blood on their doorposts
· John 9:1-7 – Jesus putting clay on the blind man's eyes.
· The action can be for intercession, warfare, healing, a call to ministry etc. It can hold the spiritual power necessary for fulfilment or breakthrough.
The main principle with prophetic acts: Ask God what the issue is and whether He wants you to do a prophetic action to facilitate change. If so, what prophetic action comes to mind? Act on it whenever you feel prompted by the Holy Spirit.
Prophetic activation:
Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him –
· "Father God, what are Your thoughts about my name?"
· "Father God, what do I need to know about my name?"
· "Father God, what nickname do You call me?"
· You may even ask God if there is a prophetic act He would like you to do.
Time Stamps:
[0:36] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.
[2:57] – Background to Hosea.
[4:21] - First Principle: God can and will do anything. God is sovereign. God can also ask us to do the unimaginable.
[7:34] – Second Principle: Our name is important.
[10:28] – Prayer for people who their name has wounded.
[12:27] – Third Principle – Prophetic acts can change the outcome.
[16:08] – Several Biblical examples of prophetic acts.
[17:12] – A significant prophetic act our family did and the outcome.
[20:46] – Recap the principles.
[21:19] – Prophetic activation.
[22:23] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.
[24:27] – Gary prays for you.
Resources / Links Mentioned:
· Website: https://garyandjane.co
Bible Verses Mentioned:
· Hosea 1-14
· Ezekiel 4
· 2 Kings 13:14-19
· Exodus 12
· John 9:1-7
Connect with Gary & Jane:
· Visit the Hearing God podcast website https://garyandjane.co
· Email admin@garyandjane.co
· Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092429006234
· Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/hearinggodpodcast/
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