The Hedge of Thorns

God's Redeeming Love - Message 2 - The Hedge of Thorns. Gomer pursues her own lusts with reckless abandon and yet Hosea continues to provide for her necessities. He seeks to recapture her, to win her back by preventing her from finding what she wants out in the world and by providing for her what she needs at home. How could Hosea stop her from wandering and win her back? God uses the hedge of thorns to corral Gomer (representing His people). A hedge might be used to for protection, but usually it is used as a means of confinement. God's judgment mainfested in the consequences of our sin often hedges us in and prevents us from being free. This gives us an opportunity to seek to understand the depth of God's love for us shown in Christ. The outline for this message includes these points: 1) Gomer's Lust vs. 2-5, 2) God's Love vs. 6-8, 3) Great Loss vs. 9-13, 4) Generous Lovingkindness vs. 14-23.