ISRAEL OR CANAAN Hosea 12:1-7

I. Introduction

A. Some translators interpret verse 7 as merchant; others trafficker.

1. In each of these they use the phrase HE IS. There is no he is in the Hebrew.

2. There is only one word used, "Canaan.

3. It is true that the name Canaan acquired the meaning of merchant in later years. But that is not the meaning of the

Hebrew word.

B. Hebrew word Canaan means humiliated.

1. It was used from Genesis on to describe a people humiliated on account of depravity.

2. Throughout the Bible, Canaan is a synonym for corruption.

II. Consider Israel relation to Canaan.

A. God put Israel into Canaan's land by expressly commanding them to exterminate the people living there.

1. Some preachers refuse to believe that God was the author of the war against the Canaanite.

2. If I did not believe God would war against what is revealed concerning Canaan, then I would have trouble

believing in God at all.

B. God is at war against all that damns and destroys mankind.

1. When humanity rejects the wooing of God's love and becomes a cesspool of sin, then God with the skill of a surgeon cuts the cancer out.

2. God brought Israel into the land not only to drive out the people but to make them a fountain of blessing and

purity to the world.

3 God's purpose then was to remove a corrupt and rotten people and replace them with a people separate, clean and Pure.

C. Let's look at our text once again - Canaan (7) in whose hand are false balances, deceit and oppression.

1. He is not talking about the Canaanite but of Israel.

2. Israel was created by God to make Canaan Israel.

3. Instead Canaan had made Israel - Canaan..

4. God's purpose was for Israel to go into Canaan that degenerate cesspool of; iniquity and turn it into a God

ruled place of moral purity.

5. When God says Canaan in verse seven it is an indictment of the failure of His people.

III. The First Principle given here is that God's Elections are Always in the interests of Humanity.

A. Christians seem to fear that word election but we shouldn't for God's elections are always for inclusion and not exclusion.

1. If God chooses Abraham, He says to Abraham - I will bless and make thee a blessing. I will make of thee a

great nation.

2. To what end does He do this? In order that all nations shall be blessed in thee. Inclusion not exclusion.

3. If God chooses Israel, it was always to this end! That aft nations will be blessed in thee. He desires them to

be a center of light in order that no one walk in darkness. Inclusion not exclusion.

4. Jesus was the elect of God, the Chosen Messiah - Why? God so loved the world, He gave His Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish. Inclusion.

5. The Church is chosen of God but to what end? To be the instrument through which He can reach the world.

6. I hope this makes the doctrine of election more understandable and more palatable to you.

IV. Second Principle - Since God's Elections are Always in the interests of humanity, it follows that the elect be true to the Divine Purpose.

A. The chosen cannot compromise with evil and still fulfill its Divine commission.

1. If Israel is contaminated by Canaan, Israel cannot influence Canaan towards the God who loves them.

2. As members of His Church we will influence the world by attracting them to our Lord or else the world will rob us of our testimony and power.

3. There is always a conflict. God had to finally say to His own chosen people - Canaan.

4. Does He have to say that of you this morning? Are you demeaning your profession as a Christian. Are your morals those of an unsaved person?

B. Turn to II Cor 6:14-18

1. Notice the questions - all beginning with the word "What"

2. Each introduces a contrast.

3. Righteousness, iniquity - light and darkness - Christ and Belial - believer and unbeliever - Temple of God with

idols.

4. On one side He arranges the things for which the church of Christ stands. Righteousness, light, Christ, believers,

the Temple of God.

5. Observe the things which are opposed to the Church - Iniquity, Darkness, Belial, Unbelief, Idolatry.

B. Notice the phrases Paul uses.

1. There is no fellowship between righteousness and iniquity. What is there in iniquity that righteousness wants?

2. What communion (have in common) What does light have in common with darkness. Nothing they contradict each other.

3. What concord (Greek word is symphony) is there between Christ and the Devil. A symphony is a sounding together in harmony. What harmony is there between Christ and Satan.

V. We who are the people of God should never become Canaan. II Cor 6:17 - says Come out from among them and be separate saith the Lord.

A. We must insure that we make no compromise with those things that are opposed to Christ.

1. We are to stand true and clean - pure and strong.

2. Why? That we may be a testimony and blessing to those who do not know Christ.

B. Where are you this morning - where do you stand?

1. Have you compromised yourself - come clean and come to Jesus.