HOSEA
BACKGROUND:
Hosea, whose name means "salvation," has been called the "gentlest" of the Old Testament prophets. He was called to one of sacred history's most difficult missions. Hosea married a wife, Gomer, who abandoned him for a series of lovers, breaking the marriage covenant which bound them together. Yet Hosea's love for his wife was so great that he could not give her up. When her profligate ways led to slavery, Hosea bought her and brought her back home, to lead a holy life. In this the prophet shared God's own experience with His people, Israel. Though bound to the Lord in a covenant relationship, Israel turned away from Him to pursue idols and the adulterous lifestyle associated with paganism. That idolatry would ultimately lead the nation to enslavement too. Yet God could not stop loving, anymore than Hosea could. God too will one day bring His humbled people home, and they will again commit themselves to Him.
The Book of Hosea is deeply moving. As we sense the prophet's pain, we also enter into the pain God feels when His beloved people are unfaithful to Him. God's love truly is a love that will not let us go.[1]
DATE: 750-730 BC
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1:1-3:5: Hosea's Marriage
Ø Why did God instruct Hosea to marry an "adulterous wife" and have children by her?
Ø Why did Hosea give such unusual names to his children?
Ø What was God's complaint against Israel?
Ø What did Hosea's buying his wife back out of slavery to prostitution indicate?
Ø What application is there for us?
4:1-7:16: God's Indictment Against Israel
Ø List the indictments the Lord had against Israel (Chap. 4).
Ø Are these indictments characteristic only to Israel?
Ø List the judgments against Israel (Chap.5).
Ø Do the parent's sins affect their children (4:7)?
Ø What is the remedy for Israel's sin?
Ø What does God desire from His people?
Ø Israel turned to other gods and nations rather than to the God with devastating results.
Ø Application for us?
8:1-10:15: Consequences
Ø Why were there consequences for Israel (8:1)?
Ø What do verses 8:3-4 indicate about earthly rulers?
Ø On what did Israel depend rather than on God (10:13-15)?
Ø Application for us?
11:1-14:9: God's Love Demonstrated
Ø List the amazing attributes of God that are taught in this book.
Ø In 14:4-9 God indicates how He will heal Israel.
Ø When did the Lord fulfill this promise?
Ø What can we learn from all that Hosea has said against Israel?
[1]Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (523). Wheaton: Victor Books.
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