Hosea Study - OUMC

A 4-week Bible Study on the Book of Hosea
Contents
Study Format Week 1: Historical Context & Hosea Historical Context Meet Hosea Hosea 1:Hoseas Wife and Children Hosea 2: Charges Against an Unfaithful Wife & the Lords Love for Unfaithful Israel Hosea 3: Hoseas Wife is Redeemed Week 2: Israel as Gomer Hosea 4: The Lords Case Against Israel Hosea 5: The Failure of Israels Leaders Hosea 6: A Call to Repentance Hosea 7: Israels Love for Wickedness Hosea 8: Israel Harvests the Whirlwind Week 3: Judgment Hosea 9: Hosea Announces Israels Punishment Hosea 10: The Lords Judgment Against Israel Hosea 11: The Lords Love for Israel Hosea 12: Charges Against Israel & Judah Hosea 13: The Lords Anger Against Israel Week 4: Redemption Awaits Hosea 14: Healing for the Repentant Study Recap References 3 4 5-10 11-13 14-19 20-23 24-27 28 29-31 32 33-34 35-36 37-38 39 40-42 43-44 45-46 47-50 51-52 53 54-55 56-64 65-68
Cover adapted from the Bible Study blog design by www.HotBliggityBlog.com
1 Hosea: Redeeming Love
It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, declares the Lord. ~ Jeremiah 31:32
For the Maker is your husband the Lord Almighty is his name the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, he is called the God of all the earth. ~ Isaiah 54:5
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of Gods holy people.) ~ Revelation 19:7-8
Study Format
The study is broken up into four weekly sections. The individual weeks are not broken out by day, so you can work through each section as you are able to over the course of the week. This allows flexibility to do the study throughout the week, or in one sitting during each week when you can steal away some quiet time. Well read the entire book of Hosea, but focus on a few key areas each week, with other relevant verses to read and some questions to reflect on. The questions can also be used for small group discussions. A small group format would be 5 weeks to allow an introduction session, and might look something like: Session 1 Introductions & Distribute Materials As an ice-breaker, you may want to go around the room and ask what each person currently knows about Hosea. Session 2 Discuss Week 1 Questions Session 3 Discuss Week 2 Questions Session 4 - Discuss Week 3 Questions Session 5 - Discuss Week 4 Questions
Historical Context
We sometimes think of the Old Testament as just a historical account and not as relevant to our lives under the new, New Testament covenant. But the Old Testament is powerful in its messages about the relationship God wants us to have with him and it also helps us understand the necessity of Jesus as our savior. Hosea is a book depicting the relationship God desires for us and helps us become aware of ways in which we can stumble. It is a book of Gods desire for redemption. Before we jump into Hosea, I think it is so important to understand the context of Hoseas time and what got them into the mess they were in (again). For the life of me, no matter how many times I study the history of the Jewish kings and prophets, I cant seem to grasp it or remember it well. If youve never studied the history, or like me, you forget most of it, Im going to start with a brief recap because it has so much relevance. Here goes the short historical version1 of what got us to where we are in our book of Hosea. God told Abraham to leave his homeland and move to Canaan, which would later become Israel. Abraham gave up his comfortable life to move to the unknown (Genesis 12:1-9). God rewarded Abrahams faith, making him the father of Israel. (around 2100 BC) Abraham and his wife Sarah were very old when they had their first son, Isaac (Genesis 21:1-7; around 2066 BC). At one point God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Again Abraham is faithful and God sends a sacrifice in Isaacs place (similar to Jesus that he sent as a replacement sacrifice for our sins over 2,000 years later). God rewards Abrahams faithfulness, blessing and making numerous his descendants (Genesis 22). Jacob, the son of Isaac, was born in Canaan (Genesis 25:21-26). Through deceit, Jacob obtained his older brother Esaus blessing and birthright (Genesis 25:29-34, Genesis 27). Jacobs name was changed to Israel, and Canaan was later renamed Israel after Jacob. Jacob had 12 sons, for whom the 12 Tribes of Israel are named. (around 2000 BC) Joseph, the youngest and favorite of the 12 sons of Jacob (Genesis 37:3-4), was sold into slavery by his brothers who were jealous of him (Genesis 37:12-26). As a result, Joseph ends up in Egypt and rises to power as a trusted assistant of the pharaoh (Genesis 41:41-45). Because of a famine, his father (Jacob) and brothers move to Egypt where they are saved from harm and famine by Joseph (Genesis 45). (around 1900 BC) Over time, the Israelites (descendants of Jacob) are enslaved for 400 years in Egypt. Moses eventually leads them out of Egypt, where they wander in the desert for 40 years (as a result of their disobedience). Moses brings them to the border of Canaan, the land God had previously promised to Abraham. (Book of Exodus; Exodus begins around 1446 BC) After Moses dies, Joshua leads the Israelites into Canaan and begins conquering the land, establishing a sovereign country of Israel for the first time in history. It took about 6 years for the tribes of Israel to conquer the Land of Canaan and to overcome the military might of the ancient Canaanites (Joshua 14). It was at that time that Joshua divided the land among the tribes and allotted portions according to the Word of the Lord. Joshua also revealed that each individual tribe was responsible to subjugate their portion of the land and remove the defeated people. Many of the tribes failed in this responsibility, leaving some of the people and their pagan rituals. The map on the next page shows the land of Israel divided by the areas the tribes settled in, with the larger tribes receiving more land. (around 1406 BC Israelites settle in Canaan)
(note 2)
During this time, Israel was not ruled by kings because God was their king. Instead, Israel is led by judges who settled disputes. (from around 1400 BC to around 1050 BC). After around 350 years of being ruled by judges, the people of Israel demand to have a king, like the neighboring countries. By demanding a king, the people are turning away from their faith in God as their king. Saul becomes the first king (1 Samuel 9 & 10) and reigns about 40 years. (around 1050 BC) After Saul, David becomes king of Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-9) and reigns for 40 years. David, unlike Saul, follows the commands of God. He makes mistakes, but he repents for them (Psalm 51). He seeks to please God. He expands the size of Israel and rules over surrounding territories. (around 1010 BC)
Read Pauls summary of events in Acts 13:16-22 and Davids prayer of repentance in Psalm 51. What are your thoughts on God testifying about David and calling him a man after His own heart? What do you think it looks like to have a heart like Gods?
Solomon, son of David, becomes king (1 Kings 1:28-40). Solomon prayed for and was granted an understanding heart to judge Gods people, wisdom and knowledge, and the ability to discern between good and evil (1 Kings 3:5). God said He would abundantly bless and dwell with Israel, if they kept Him first, and that He would be with Solomon. But God included a stern warning that there would be severe consequences if Solomon and the people of Israel turned away from Him and worshiped idols. Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. Solomon built the Temple in honor of God. Solomon created the wealthiest and most powerful central government the Hebrews would ever see, but did so at an impossibly high cost. Land was given away to pay for his extravagances, and people were sent into forced labor.
Read 1 Kings 11:1-13. What kinds of things did Solomon do? After his humble request for wisdom, walking closely with God and his success, all this happened in his old age (v4). How can we use this as a warning in our lives?
Solomon turns away from God and worships false gods. Although God had forbidden marriages between Israelites and people of other Nations (Deuteronomy 7:1-4) and had warned against having many wives, and becoming overly wealthy (Deuteronomy 17:17), in Solomons later years, he did all these things. He built places of worship for the gods of his foreign wives, and they turned his heart from the true God. He even participated in their rituals. This displeased God and He said to Solomon, Because you have done this, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen. (1 Kings 11:1-13) (around 970 BC) Solomon reigned 40 years until his death, ending the golden years of Israel. Shortly after the reign of Solomon, Israel becomes a divided kingdom (1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10). The 10 northern tribes refused to submit to his son Rehoboam and revolted. From this point on, there would be two kingdoms of Hebrews. The southern kingdom, called Judah, includes the city of Jerusalem and the Temple. The northern kingdom continued to be called Israel and formed their capital in Samaria. (around 926 BC)
(note 3)
Following is a timeline of the two kingdoms kings and prophets after Solomon leading up to Hoseas time (shown at the arrow). The color coding shows the righteous vs. evil kings. Notice the lack of green (righteous) in Israel leading up to and during Hoseas time.
(note 4)
Following the death of the powerful Assyrian king Adad-nirai III (783 BC), who claimed to have extended Assyrian influence as far as the Mediterranean Sea, Assyria was ruled by a series of weak kings who were unable to do much more than preserve the Assyrian homeland (783-745 BC). During this time, Assyrian domination in the west waned. For Israel and Judah it was an era of unparalleled prosperity for both kingdoms, economically and politically. Together they could claim much the same territorial dimensions as in the days of Solomon before them. Jeroboam II took a nation that looked on the brink of death and turned it into one of the great power of his day in less than 25 years. During Uzziahs long 52-year reign the Southern Kingdom enjoyed economic prosperity and political power. Uzziah improved Judahs military strengths, which included fortifying Jerusalem and launching successful campaigns against neighbors to the west, east and south. This period of prosperity for the two kingdoms would not endure. Upon the death of Jeroboam II in 752 BC, kings of lesser ability ruled. There was spiritual weakness and renewed subservience to the rising power of Assyria. Assyrias leader Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727 BC) launched a new day in the Near East, where Assyrian resurgence blossomed into the mighty Neo-Assyrian Empire. Israel paid a heavy tribute to keep him from engulfing the Northern Kingdom. Internal squabbling compounded Israels difficulties in the face of Assyrian aggression5. What a wild, bumpy ride! As I look back at the history of Israel, I am struck by the timeframes. Times of worshiping God and times of worshiping idols. Times of peace and prosperity fly by in sometimes short and sometimes long periods. I think about the short life of our country here in the USA. We are so young at only 236 years old. We think we are so powerful and invincible. How nave we seem when we look at the long history of Israel. A period of 236 years of peace and prosperity would be a blip on the timeline. Although we will dive deeper into this as part of our study, what are some parallels you see between the historical context presented so far and our culture today?
According to Hosea 1:1, Hosea was given this message from the Lord during the years when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah and Jeroboam was king of Israel. He is a prophet to Israel during the time Isaiah and Micah were prophets in Judah. You can see from the timeline, they have been through many prophets and kings at this point.
Okayenough history for now. Lets meet Hosea!
Meet Hosea
Prophets were called to speak for God and deliver Gods messages to the people of Israel and Judah in the form of speeches, sermons, visions and/or life experiences. Hosea was a prophet in the Northern Kingdom (Israel). The name Hosea means salvation. Hosea began his ministry when Israel, under Jeroboam II, was at the height of their power and continued through periods of Israels political and spiritual weakness. Hosea was Gods man for a difficult era spiritually. Israel in Hoseas time was a spiritual mess. Prosperity had brought an unprecedented degree of cultural corruption. The much-sought-after political power had opened Israel to foreign cultural influence, including the demoralizing influence of Canaanite Baal worship.8 (Hosea 2:7, 17; 11:2) With regard to prosperity/power bringing cultural corruption, how/why do you think this comes about? How do you see this playing out in our society today?
Well see a lot of the downfall of Israel coming from their worship of other gods, including Baal. Here is a reference regarding Baal worship9 Baal religion revolved around the cycles of nature necessary for survival and prosperity in the ancient world, primarily growing crops or raising livestock, as well as the growth of human populations. Not surprisingly, in an arid and agriculturally marginal area of the world the fertility of land and crops played a large role in Canaanite world view. Also as expected, water was a major element of the myth and its images. Likewise, in an environment where human existence was often precarious for a variety of reasons human fertility was an important concern, not only for survival, but also due to the fact that people were one of the most important resources. The Israelites never abandoned the worship of God (Yahweh). They simply added the worship of Baal to their worship of Yahweh (called syncretism). They had one God for crises and another god for everyday life. The actual worship of Baal was carried out in terms of imitative magic whereby sexual acts by both male and female temple prostitutes were understood to arouse Baal who then brought rain to make Mother Earth fertile (in some forms of the myth, represented by a female consort, Asherah or Astarte).
While we dont worship Baal in our society today, what kinds of things does our culture tend to worship to meet our needs (even while often still worshiping God)?
The book of Hosea is broken up into two broad primary categories: Chapters 1-3: The biographical narration of Hoseas marriage and life with Gomer Chapters 4-14: The message, with themes of sin, punishment and restoration. Throughout the book we can see the behaviors related to Israels downfall. Well touch on many of them throughout the study, but here is a sample of what is to come. 10 Swearing, deception, murder, stealing, sexual vice (4:2) Corrupt prophets and priests (4:4) Lack of knowledge of God (4:6) Opportunist religious leaders (4:7) Harlotry & drunkenness (4:11) Idol worship (4:12-13) The more shameful their deeds, the more they loved and flaunted them (4:18) Pride (5:5) Instability, hypocrisy, ritual (6:4, 6:6) Worldliness (7:8) Corruption (9:9) Backsliding (11:7) Idolatry (13:2) Quite a list! No wonder they needed a stern message about repentance. But are we any better today? I dont know about you, but all of these are convicting to me upon reflectionboth personally and as it relates to our culture today. Lets reflect on these things as we work through the study, recognizing that it is not just Israel God is speaking to through Hosea. For me, the timeline helps to put it in perspective. I tend to think of Old Testament events as occurring sooooo long ago and the New Testament being fairly recent, but the messages from God to his people through Hosea was 1,360 years after God called Abraham. Approximately 770 years later Jesus died for our salvation still preaching the message, still warning us of the alternative. As we read this study we are approximately 1,982 years from the death of Jesus. It is all so relevant and timely for us today.
Something I have really been praying about as I work on this study and dig into Hosea is that it will result in clarity and a positive change in our lives. I know there is some tough love in this book and I want it to be a wake-up call in a good way, not something that depresses us. We have the benefit of Gods Word and the ability to learn through the story of others. Know that Hosea is a beautiful story of Gods love, persistence seeking us out and redemption. God is the same today as he was in Hoseas time. He is still in control and He is waiting patiently for us to fully come back to Him.
(note 11)
Hosea 1: Hoseas Wife & Children

Hosea 1:1 sets the timeframe, which we discussed in the previous section. Lets jump into the story and read Hosea 1:2. Whoa! Go and marry a prostitute (New Living Translation), whore (Message), promiscuous woman (New International Version). And this is all when the Lord began to speak to Hosea. What an introduction to the prophet profession. What do you think about Gods request to Hosea? What do you think Hosea thought?
Maybe with a name meaning salvation, Hosea though he could save her. Thought he could lover her enough to change her ways. It seems odd that God would tell Hosea to marry a prostitute, however God often asks prophets to do difficult things to make a point. Here are a few examples God told Isaiah to Go, take off your clothes and sandals," and Isaiah did it, going about naked and barefooted. (Isaiah 20:1-2) and he did it for THREE years (Isaiah 20:3-4). Why? as a warning sign to Egypt and Ethiopia, so the king of Assyria is going to come and take the Egyptians as captives and the Ethiopians as exiles. He'll take young and old alike and march them out of there naked and barefooted, exposed to mockery and jeersthe bared buttocks of Egypt on parade! Everyone who has put hope in Ethiopia and expected help from Egypt will be thrown into confusion. Everyone who lives along this coast will say, 'Look at them! Naked and barefooted, shuffling off to exile! And we thought they were our best hope, that they'd rescue us from the king of Assyria. Now what's going to happen to us? How are we going to get out of this?'" (Isaiah 20:3-6) God told Jeremiah to get some shorts, put them on and keep them on without washing them, then take them far away to hide them in a crack in a rock, then after a long time go back and get them. (Jeremiah 13:1-7). Why? God explained, "This is the way I am going to ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalema wicked bunch of people who won't obey me, who do only what they want to do, who chase after all kinds of nogods and worship them. They're going to turn out as rotten as these old shorts. Just as shorts clothe and protect, so I kept the whole family of Israel under my care"God's Decree"so that everyone could see they were my people, a people I could show off to the world and be proud of. But they refused to do a thing I said. (Jeremiah 13:8-11) God told Ezekiel to make a food ration to eat over 390 days on his sideand to bake it with cow dung (after Ezekiel had issue with using human dung). (Ezekiel 4:9-15) Why? Then he said to me, "Son of man, I'm going to cut off all food from Jerusalem. The people will live on starvation rations, worrying where the next meal's coming from, scrounging for the next drink of water. Famine conditions. People will look at one another, see nothing but skin and bones, and shake their heads. This is what sin does." (Ezekiel 4: 16-17)
Oh my! The life of a prophet wasnt an easy one. God went to great measure, using visual representations in some cases, to warn His people and try to get them back on track. 14 Hosea: Redeeming Love
We may question Gods choice for Hosea, but arent we all sinners? Is it really any different than Gods choice of us? Read Romans 5:8. What similarities do you see between Hosea and Christ?
At the end of Hosea 1:2, what does it say the purpose of this marriage is?
Many prophets are used to preach and warn against rebellion and future disaster. Hosea was to use his life as an illustration of Israels acts toward God. Read James 4:4. How does James start the verse? What parallels do you see to us today through this New Testament message?
From Hosea 1:2, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord. And from the New Testament in James 4:4, You adulterous people, dont you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. What does it mean to be a friend of the world? What ways do you think you are a friend of the world? Do you ever feel like your friendship with the world represents unfaithfulness to God?
Well talk quite a bit more about this as we move through the study, but it is really an important concept to think about before we move on. God is using Hoseas marriage to an adulterous woman to represent His relationship with Israel (and with us). In James we see this describes as friendship with the world. We want to be with God, not the world. We like to think they can coexist that we can be a friend of both, but James says anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God that we are like an adulterous wife. (James 4:4) Read 1 John 2:15-17. What three things are described as in the world? What are some things that would fall into each of these categories?
Verse 16 in the New Living Translation says, For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. The Life Application Bible12 points out that worldliness is not limited to external behaviors. It begins in the heart and is characterized by these three attitudes: 1. Craving for physical pleasure preoccupation with gratifying physical desires 2. Craving for everything we see - coveting and accumulating things, bowing to the god of materialism 3. Pride in our achievements and possessions obsession with ones status or importance These are the areas sin was brought into the world, as the serpent tempted Eve in these areas (Genesis 3:1-6). The devil also tempted Jesus in the wilderness using these three areas of attack (Matthew 4:1-11).
Read Matthew 4:1-11. How does Jesus respond to the devil with regard to each of these three things?
Think about the things that are important to you. Do they reflect the attitudes of the world or of God? Romans 12:2 tells us, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. The truth is we live IN this world. We have daily activities and responsibilities. This world can be consuming. The challenge is to make sure we are living IN the world, but not being conformed to it. Not being sucked into to the lures of the world, which is so easy to do. Not being changed from who God made us in His character to just another carbon copy of our culture, chasing after physical pleasures, things we see and achievements and possessions. We must recognize that when we do these things we are being unfaithful to God and it is devastating to him. He wants us to worship and serve only Him. Jennie Allen in the book Anything writes: With our minutes and days and decades, we build houses and savings accounts and busy calendars full of activity. And in some deeper way, we build our reputations and friendships and invest in our kids and careers. We are looking for this life to matter. No, we are actually looking for ourselves to matter. So we keep so busy, so distracted, so in love with everything but our invisible, patient, jealous God. 13
Reflecting on these things can be tough and uncomfortable. The purpose isnt to feel condemnation, but to help us understand and begin to see ourselves and our culture in this study to get out of it everything that God intends for each of us personally. We cant change our lives if we dont know what or how to change. I pray that God opens our hearts and minds to what we need to hear, not in a condemning way, but in a loving way that makes us so excited about becoming the person God made us to be. Lets get comfortable standing out and being uncommon being a light displaying all the goodness of our Creator.
Remember Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)
Lets continue with Hoseas response. Read Hosea 1:3-9.
So Hosea was faithful and did as God requested. With Hosea representing Gods relationship with Israel, we have to see this as a marriage deep in love. Not just Hoseas obedience to God, but a true, deep love for Gomer who he took as his wife. Three children were born and given names by God, each symbolizing some aspect of Israels relationship with God. Lets take a closer look at the representation of each of the three children mentioned What was the name and meaning of the first child (Hosea 1:3-5)?
Jezreel was in the heart of Israel. Much of the wickedness associated with Israels history originated here. It was at Jezreel that King Jeroboams great grandfather Jehu had first come to the throne. Jezreel was the place of Jehus bloody brutality (2 Kings 10:1-14). God is saying to Israel that their hour of punishment is coming. What was the name and meaning of the second child (Hosea 1: 6-7)?
Lo-ruhamah, meaning no love/pity/mercy, represented the people of Israel deliberately moving from outside of Gods loving protection where they would no longer be saved. Recall from our timeline that it wouldnt be long (approximate 30 years after this message) before the Assyrians would invade Israel. What was the name and meaning of the third child (Hosea 1:8-9)?
This name is relevant to Gods relationship with Israel and to Hoseas marriage. In chapter 2 we will read that somehow Hosea discovered this child was not his (Hosea 2:5). Imagine the devastation. Do you think Hosea knew this before or after the name not mine was given to him to give to the child. Im sure Hosea hoped he could change his new wife. Love her enough to not got back to her old ways. Hosea must have been devastated and heart broken. Israel is about to experience disownership from God. Their unfaithfulness is going to result in the full effect of being cut off by God. 17 Hosea: Redeeming Love
What does Isaiah 59:2 say about our sins and our relationship with God?
What happens when a person sins persistently, but has not yet felt the consequences? Have you ever had a season like this? Did it all eventually come to light?
Often when we get away with sin we get a distorted view of reality and begin to think we can sin with no consequences. Let us reflect on sins in this season of our life that we are currently getting away with. We dont want to be separated from God in any capacity. Lets boldly pray for early consequences and quick repentance! Thankfully, as followers of Christ we know that nothing separates us from God For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39) There was only one perfect human to walk this earth. We will all mess up. How blessed we are to have a merciful God who is eager to welcome us back and make us clean if we are willing to repent and turn to Him. Back to Hoseawhat a family treethe prophet, the prostitute and the kids: Punishment, Not Loved and Not Mine.
Lets conclude with the remainder of chapter 1. Please read Hosea 1:10-11 Praise God! Redemption will come. Each of the representative childrens names are brought together here. I love how it reads in the Message: 18 Hosea: Redeeming Love
"But down the road the population of Israel is going to explode past counting, like sand on the ocean beaches. In the very place where they were once named Nobody, they will be named God's Somebody. Everybody in Judah and everybody in Israel will be assembled as one people. They'll choose a single leader. There'll be no stopping thema great day in Jezreel!" In the place where there was bloody brutality and a destructive spiral, Gods chose people will all be together again, under one leadera unified kingdom again. Nobody will become Gods Somebody. No stopping Gods somebodysa great day indeed! Lets close Hosea 1 with the message for believers in Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Ultimately we, as believers who repent and put our faith and hope in Christ alone, will be part of that multitude, joined with the tribes of Israel that have accepted Jesus as their savior.
Hosea 2: Charges Against an Unfaithful Wife & The Lords Love for Unfaithful Israel
Chapter 2 of Hosea digs a little deeper into Israel/Gomers problem, and it isnt pretty. Lets read Hosea 2:1-5. It is as if Hosea is pleading with the children about their mother, Gomer. She has gone back to her former ways. She has been unfaithfulagain. We see that at least some of the children we read about in chapter 1 are not even Hoseas. Hosea must have really loved Gomer. He appears to be very angered and hurt by her actions. It is easy to quickly read over the words and just think about a prophet being obedient, but he really loved her. This is a love story. Nearly all of us have been hurt by a relationship in our lives. Some of us may be in the midst of it now. Think about how it felt. This is what Hosea is going through. This is what God goes through as he watches us stray. He loves us more deeply than we can even imaging. More deeply than any love relationship we have ever hadwith a spouse/significant other, child, family member, friend, etc. To have someone betray that is devastating. In verse 2 he says she is not my wife, and I am not her husband. In essence, Gomer becomes his wife in name only. This can be true for us to as we call ourselves Christians, but lack an intimate, committed, faithful relationship with Godin good times and bad. We can become Christians in name only. Gomer believes the things she needs/wants come from others: She said, I will go after my lovers, who give me my food and my water, my wool and my linen, my olive oil and my drink. (v.5, NIV) What do you think Gomer was searching for?
What did Gomer leave Hosea to find? Food, water, wool, linen, olive oil and drink (v5). What did the Israelites leave God for? Pleasures of the world and other gods they believed provided agriculture and human fertility (among other things). What are some of the things we leave God for today? Money, respect from others, power, our own control, other relationships, comfort, careers, addictions, pleasures, pleasing others, and the list goes on. What things do you search for outside of God? Do you ever fool yourself into believing that anything good comes from anything other than God?
How deceived we can be by things of this world that we thing bring us joy and the things we need. How we cling to them and run back to them, thinking they will provide for us instead of running into the arms of God who knows us intimately (more than anyone else), always loves us and has our best interests in mind. 20 Hosea: Redeeming Love
Read James 1:17. Where does EVERY good and perfect gift come from?
Everything good comes from God. Who does not change. Ever. Throughout the Bible there are references to the marriage/bride & groom metaphors as is the case with Hosea and Gomer. We have to be able to look at it in this light. To see how us turning to other things is a betrayal to God, as it would be to a marriage. Lets move onto Hosea 2:6-13. We see a demonstration of the lengths God will go to keep us from straying. Match the actions of God to the verse in Hosea 2:6-13: Desolate land ______ Frustration _______ Show her for what she is _________ Obstruction _________ Taking things back _________ Punishment __________ Put an end to shallowness _____
Look again at verse 7 & 8. Gomer/Israel reluctantly goes back, but only out of frustration at not being able to get what she thinks she wants. Verse 8 says she does not yet acknowledge Hosea/God as the one that provided all she was yearning for. Perhaps Hosea was working behind the scenes to make sure she had what she needed and she attributed it to others. Her heart wasnt changed though so she was cut off. Throughout history, God provided for the Israelites without their acknowledging God and even using the things God provided for their idol worship. The only way to get their attention was to discontinue providing for them. In the second half of verse 8 we see reference to Gomer giving her gifts to Baal. Reflect on how you are using the gifts God has given you. Are you using them wisely and honoring God with them?
How can we know if we have the same problem as the historical Israelites? One way is to look at Gomer and her actions as one persons representative of the entire nation14: We dont recognize God is the source of life, and we pursue the things we think will satisfy We experience a dryness in our soul because our own methods do not work. They do not satisfy. We are proud and dont recognize our sin We expect God to bless us because we think we deserve it. We think he owes us. We blame God when things dont go just the way we want them to. 21 Hosea: Redeeming Love
Do you see any of this in your personal life? What areas do you struggle with the most? Pray that God reveals areas you are relying on other things instead of Him.
Make a conscious effort this week to turn to God instead. It takes deliberation and practice to defeat bad habits. Share with your small group steps you have taken to help one another on this journey. Lets now read Hosea 2:14-23. Again we see redemption and the lengths God will go to entice us back. God knows what we need and what we long for. Even at our worst, God tenderly works to get us back. Where does God lead her to speak to her (v.14)? Why do you think this place was chosen?
Perhaps God needed a place that was free of clutter distractions to most effectively communicate. We all know from experience how hard it is to hear from God in the midst of our busyness and the distractions of our days. We need to set aside that quite time to really stop, be still and listen. We need to find our personal desert where we can hear from God. Also, the desert represented a time of trouble. Maybe this is a way to show us that even the bad can be a start for something good. Look again at verse 16. What do you think when it says you will call me my husband instead of my master?
God wants us to be obedient, but what He wants even more is a relationship. Obedience out of love, not just duty. In your current walk with God, do you feel like obedience is based on love or duty?
In Hosea chapter 2 we see that Israel will sin, God will respond, and Israel will ultimately return to God in relationship. Lets finish chapter 2 in prayer that we can love God more and that our obedience to Him is the outpouring of our love, not just our duty as Christians.
The book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers15 , which is loosely based on Hosea, is what originally got me interested in reading through Hosea. Here is a wonderful excerpt from a note at the end of her book: I used to believe the purpose in life is to find happiness. I dont believe that anymore. I believe we are all given gifts from our Father, and that our purpose is to offer them to Him. He knows how he wants us to use them. I used to struggle to find happiness. I used to work hard to attain it. By the worlds standards, I was successful. But it was all meaningless vanity. Now, I have joy.
(note 16)
Hosea 3: Hoseas Wife is Redeemed

Chapter 3 the last chapter of our study this week is really short, so lets go ahead and read all of it (Hosea 3:1-5). Hosea was going to get his girl back. To do so, he had to buy her back. How much did Hosea buy her back for (verse 2)? What do we learn in Matthew 26:15? What price did Jesus pay?
She had gotten herself into a slave situation. Her body was her way of making a living. It was her way of earning love and acceptance of others or so she thought17. Look at verse 3. Why do you think she would live with him for many days and not be intimate with her husband during this time?
Remember that this is a story of love and relationship. Any marriage that went through what Hosea and Gomer went through will have brokenness and need a time of healing to resume togetherness of man and wife. I also think it was to show her that it isnt the things she thinks that earns her love and provides for her. It isnt her body. It is her. Are there things about you or your life that you think you need to get love and acceptance from God or from others? Do you fear losing them?
Maybe Gomer just felt like she didnt fit in with Hosea and his life. It was so different than hers and what she knew. Her life revolved around things of the world and his around God. Maybe she even wanted to fit in with his lifeknew it was the better way, but it was so hard, so uncomfortable, so unnatural, so different from that of her friends. Do you ever feel like you just dont fit in? In what ways, or in what circumstances, do you feel like you dont fit in? How do you usually react? Do you try even harder to fit in?
On a spiritual level, during the seasons in my life where I feel very strong in my faith and I am trying very hard to walk daily with God, I often feel like I dont quite fit it in. And it is not just among non-Christians. Sometimes I feel it even more among Christians. Perhaps the more we feel like we dont fit in, the closer we are to God, since He is in constant battle with the things of this world. God loves us the way we arethe way He created us. We know from the Bible that we are aliens and strangers in the world (1 Peter 2:11) and our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). We dont need to impress Him with anything other than our love and obedience in return. He doesnt care about our house, our car, our school, our kids achievements, our job, our intelligence, our social statusjust us. Anyone who is a real friend also doesnt care about those things. We dont need to impress God or other people with things. Our character and integrity and trustworthiness and love God in us should be what draws people to us. But beyond just fitting in, we often feel like we are under attack from all sides. And sometimes, actually often, this happens in seasons where we feel like we are spiritually moving in the right direction. When we feel a strong calling from God about something or we are working earnestly to grow closer to God. But things around us feel like they are falling apart. We are fighting more with our spouse or kids. There are conflicts with friends or coworkers. Things dont seem to be falling in place at all. The devil is always at work, and at work even harder when he sees the threat of our closer relationship with God and our doing work for Gods kingdom. The Bible talks often about spiritual warfare. Jennie Allen in the book Anything writes: When you are truly about the things of God, there is always attack. The devil is real, and nothing ticks him off more than people waking up from the numb stupor he has crafted to keep us harmless. 18
Can you think of times in your life when you were certain you were in Gods will and you were being attacked? What forms did the attacks take? How did you deal with it?
Knowing this helps us face it head on. We can pray specifically about it, rebuking the devil and his attacks as Jesus did in Matthew 16:23, Get behind me, Satan! We cant let the devils attacks deter us. Our faith must remain greater than our pain or fears. Verse 4 shows us the representation of the lack of intimate relationship for a period of time is Israels days to come of having no king or prince, no sacrifice or sacred stones, no ephod or household gods. God is stripping them of all the things they think make them acceptable and like other nations. A period of time to learn to stop depending on their own resources. To finally come to a place where they will rely on God alone. In our culture where we have so much and are so wealthy compared to the rest of the world, it is so easy to depend on our own resources. Even so, sometimes things come into our life and flat out knock us down. We are stripped of our so called control. Sometimes it is a catastrophic event, an illness, a separation, a betrayal, a financial crisis. We have nowhere to turn but God.
Has something happened in your life recently or in the past that brought you straight to God out of desperation?
Ive had several in my life. A recent one for me was when my 9 year-old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She now needs insulin to live, and it is a difficult thing to manage it successfully. So many variables are in playher activity level, what she eats, situations she is in, etc. Oh that we wouldnt have to get to this point to turn to Him. That we would learn to rely on Him for everythingin good times and bad. It is so frustrating to me how easy it is to quickly revert back to relying on myself. As I write this we are just passed the 2 week anniversary of her diagnosis. I pray constantly for her and worry about her, but I am noticing that is even diminishing as we are getting the hang of things and I am becoming more comfortable with her schedule and how her body reacts. I can go from non-stop speaking to God to realizing it has been a while since I have done so. I fall back into my routine of attempting to take care of everything on my ownand even feeling proud about how well I am doing it. I dont want to need the blows in life to bring me to Him. Read Matthew 19:23-24. Why do you think this is the case?
(note 19)
In the book Kisses from Katie20 by Katie Davis, a young missionary in Uganda, Katie writes about the change in her spirit when she goes back to the United States after her time in Uganda. I hadnt realized what a transformation had taken place while I had been in Uganda, the spiritual richness I had experienced in material poverty and the spiritual poverty I felt now in a land of material wealth. Rich doesnt have to only be financial. It can be anything we have that makes us rely on ourselves instead of God. These things keep us thinking we are in control and keep us from being on our knees. God, please to dont let our worldly wealth result in spiritual poverty. Please help us to acknowledge and rely on you and you alonethrough the good times and the bad. Spend some time in prayer that we can rely on God in all things. Pray that we dont let areas where we are rich keep us from reliance on God and ultimately entering the kingdom of heaven.
As I mentioned several times, the point of all of this difficult reflection isnt to feel condemned or defeated, but to wake us up to life the full, joyful, purposeful life God wants us to have. To live Gods kingdom here where his will is done here as it is in heaven. We have to believe this is a better, more fulfilling life for us. Jennie Allen writes: We have one foot on the earth and one foot in heaven. Were present here, not taken out of this world but living for another. Were fighting for Gods glory and clinging to him for protection and guidance 21
(note 22)
Hosea 4: The Lords Case Against Israel

In the first three chapters we see Hoseas relationship with Gomer. The good, the bad, the ugly and the redemption. In the remainder of Hosea we will see Gods application of the message. Lets enter the courtroom and read Hosea 4:1-9. What is there none of in the land (v.1)? What is present (v2)?
So many of the Ten Commandments were broken according to the first two verses. They are severely missing the mark. In verse 6 we see that they have also rejected knowledge...they dont know God. We like to think we dont intentionally reject knowledge. How can we make sure we gain, rather than reject, knowledge? The book of Proverbs has many lessons on knowledge. Here are a few Read Proverbs 1:7. What is the beginning of knowledge? Read Proverbs 2:6. Where does knowledge come from? Read Proverbs 19:2. What is no good without knowledge?
(note 1)
That last one really speaks to me. I cant even tell you how convicting Proverbs 19:2 is to me. My journal is full of entries about me jumping into things. I am a doer and I like action. I get fired up often over good, Godly things and just want to do something or see something happen. But I dont wait, go to God with it, and listen for His direction. As the NIV reads, Desire without knowledge is not good how much more will hasty feet miss the way! My hasty feet have definitely missed the way. What about youhave you ever let your hasty feet lead you astray?
There are quite a few references to discernment and knowledge. See Proverbs 14:6, Proverbs 15:14 and Proverbs 18:15. What does it mean to be discerning?
The American Heritage Dictionary2 defines discernment as The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment. Hebrews 5:14 (English Standard Version) states that But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. We have to constantly practice distinguishing good from evil. We know that God is good and everything that is good is from God. Only by studying the Bible, the Word of God, can we learn what is good and become discerning and gain knowledge. James 1:5 tells us that If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Let us join Solomon in his pray for wisdom, discernment, judgment in 1 Kings 3:9 that pleased God Here's what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?" (The Message). In our search for wisdom and discernment we may discover that sometimes things we are engaging in may not even necessarily be bad on their own, until they get in the way of our relationship with God. Our Bible study group recently finished a Nehemiah Bible study by Kelly Minter3 and there was a great quote on this topic: "If the end result is not the love of God and the love of others, what lies inside the lines of permissible is no longer beneficial." (Kelly Minter, Nehemiah study)
Are there things in your life today you are currently doing that may be permissible, but for you personally because of your past or your circumstances or how it impacts your life -- may not beneficial? Are there things you are tolerant of or even participate in that may not be beneficial to your relationship with God?
Recall back to our overview of the kings and the downfall of Solomon in his old age. He married many foreign wives, which was forbidden from God. He tolerated their idol worship and later even built places of worship for them and later went even further to participate in the rituals. It is a slippery slope and we need to be very aware. Verses 4-9 in Hosea speak a lot about the corruption and failure of the priests. We should be careful about relying on others for knowledge. The acquiring of knowledge should be something we seek, discerning people and resources we use for inputs and ensuring it is in sync with the Bible Gods word on knowledge. Lets conclude chapter 4 by reading Hosea 4:10-19.
The Geared Toward Growth study guide on Hosea 4 highlights the source and result of Israels sin as outlined in these verses: The source of Israels sin They have forsaken the Lord. They are drunk with wine.. They trust in superstitions.. They have become bad examples The result of Israels sin They have turned to other gods They have lost their understanding They are led astray Sin is carried on by their children
Write a prayer to gain knowledge and make changes in our lives to prevent the associated results in our lives, and potentially the lives of our children and others we have influence over.
There seems to be so much frustration in these verses that they just dont get it. They can see and blame others, but not see themselves as the prostitutes being unfaithful to their one true God. They are probably even laughing at and mocking Hosea and his family situation while he is preaching his warnings to them. God, please help us to not be blind to ourselves.
Hosea 5: The Failure of Israels Leaders

Still in the courtroom, chapter 5 takes us to the judgment. Lets read the entire chapter, Hosea 5:1-15. The message is for everyonethe priests, the people (Israelites), the royal house. Look at verses 4-6. What are the reasons they do not return to God?
Our deeds, or current actions can keep us from returning to God. There are some things we may not be willing to give up. Our arrogance/pride also keeps us from returning. Verse 6 says that they seek the Lord, but do not find HimHe has withdrawn Himself from them. Look at Proverbs 1:28-30. What causes seekers to not find God?
It goes back to knowledge and fear of the Lord. How time and time again can we reject knowledge? How can we let our pride, or our sins, or our personal kingdom building keep us from what, as Christians, we know we want and need.Gods grace and protection and kingdom? Sometimes we would rather not know something because that knowledge will often make us face things we dont want to face. But not knowing what is right and true does not make it no so. Through studying the Bible Gods words to us and Bible studies like this we can be sure we get knowledge. We have to work to KNOW God. Our challenge will be to desire that knowledge and then to not ignore what we learn, but instead translate that knowledge into our actions and daily living. Verses 7 -14 tell of the punishment that is to come. In verse 14, who will carry them off?
As we saw in the timeline overview, it wont be long before the Assyrians conquer Israel and exile them, but in this verse God makes it clear that it is He who is in control. We, like Israel, can choose to accept knowledge and make changes or we can face the consequences that will surely come this is a message for Israel and for us today.
Hosea 6: A Call to Repentance

I know this is hard! It is a difficult thing to keep revisiting the same cycles. In our heads we may want to scream, I GET IT! But God knows it isnt that easy. He has seen it play out time and time again, and really we are no different than the Israelites. Different century, same stuff. He loves us enough to reinforce the message.often. To bring us to a point of wanting to learn the lesson early, rather than later. Oh God, let us have ears to hear and eyes to see. Read Hosea 6:1-3. Things are looking up, right? Could it be that they are starting to get it? They are recognizing that God is the one who can restore them. They are recognizing they need to get to know Him. Read the remainder of Hosea 6:4-11. Here we go again! In verse 4, what is the Israelites love compared to?
A fleeting love. A love to get what they want. To avoid punishment. But we all know this isnt what God has in mind. Suffering can turn people to God, but not really change them. We talked last week about trials in our lives that brought us to our knees. We need to make sure it results in change, not just temporarily seeking relief and then forgetting God again once things turn around. God desires for us to come to Him, but more than anything He desires love and lasting relationship. I want to share verse 6 in a few different translations because I think this really gets to the point and is something we can reflect on: NIV: For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. New Living Translation: I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. Message: Im after love that lasts, not more religion. I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings.
What is your reaction to this verse? How specifically does it speak to you?
In our study of Hosea chapter 2, we reflected on obedience and love when Hosea 2:16 said, you will call me my husband instead of my master. God wants us. All of us. He wants us to turn everything over to him. Yes, God wants us to be obedient. But obedience without love is often fake. We do something because we think we are supposed to and it feels unnatural, uncomfortable and like we are being a fake version of our true self. Obedience is still good and better than doing nothing, but it is not the same as love. I try very hard to be good and to do the right things, but when I pray for help really loving God, really loving my neighbors and seeing the world and people as God does, loving 33 Hosea: Redeeming Love
people as God does, my obedience is easier. I am a long way from where I should be here, but I am clinging to those prayers and the hope that God will continue to transform my heart to a constant obedience out of love, not just duty. Jennie Allen writes: And then I saw God the real God and I saw the moment I would meet him. He was on his throne with eyes fixed on me, questioning why I had sought my comfort more than him. Why had I loved people more than him? Why had I sat on every gift he had given me to make him known? Because I cared more about being judged by everyone else but him. 5
Matthew 6:33 says, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Seek the Kingdom, not the provision, and the provision will be the result. This is big and feels like the essence of the book of Hosea to me. God wants knowledge, love, relationshipnot just going through the motions. Not just doing religious stuff, even if it is good stuff. It isnt the same and doesnt substitute for true relationship and love. The religious things are often easy and we feel like we are doing our partbeing good Christians. But that is not what it is about. Really reflect on this. Lets really examine how we spend our time and where our heart is.
Spend time asking God to show you where you may be going through the motions instead of engaging in true relationship. Ask God to change your heart and give you a desire for relationship.
God, we know what is best for us and that is you. Help us become obedient out of love. We do studies like this because we desire to get there. Help us really know and love you. Please let it stick. Please let it be more than morning dew that quickly dries up.
Hosea 7: Israels Love for Wickedness

Lets jump right in to Hosea 7:1-16. It is almost too much to bear, isnt it?! Lets focus on a few verses that show what God wants to do, but Israel (we) get in the way. Look at Hosea 6:11b-7:1. What does God want to do?
Look at verse 13. What else does God want to do?
God wants to restore them, heal them, redeem them, but according to verses 10 & 11 they dont even try to find God and instead call to Egypt and turn to Assyria. Two places where they have been burned in the past, instead of turning to the only one who has ever had their best interests in mind. Sound familiar? While I dont think we love wickedness or necessarily delight in sin, I do think we often turn to sources other than God. Do you think our reliance on other things instead of God has anything to do with a lack of belief? I know we believe, but do we really believebelieve everything God says He is and says He can do? I often rationalize that yes, I really believe, but I know Gods will and my will in a circumstance may not always be the same (even though I do realize that Gods will is perfect ). But if I really peel back my thoughts, is that really it? Do I really believeenough to put my full hope and trust and confidence in God alone and not in other people or things? On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you think you are in terms of thinking you believe and knowing you believe? Any thoughts on where you put yourself?
Jennie Allen writes: The ironic thing about believing in God and supernatural things is that the invisible stuff is actually the most trustworthy, the most stable. So the concrete things we can see and touch, they become the wind, they become the things we try to catch, and over and over, they pass through our fingers and souls, keeping us empty. But when I take my empty self to God, he feels familiar and stable and more like concrete than wind. 6
Read Mark 9:17-29. I love this story, in particularly verse 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! (Mark 9:24)
I echo this prayer often. It is freeing to know that in addition to going to God with our praises and prayer requests, we can go to him with our struggles of unbelief. And it goes beyond just belief issuesI pray also for help wanting the things I know I should wantGod, help me want to know you better, help me want a relationship with you over everything else in my life, help me want to put my faith in you, help me want your will over my own. What are some wants in your life that you want God to change? What does Jesus say at the end of the story in Mark 9:29 that is sometimes required?
Verse 2 of our Hosea reading says that God sees all their sins. They engulf Him and are always before Him. Read Jeremiah 31:34. What will God do with their sins? Why will He do this?
It is knowledge again. He will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more because they will KNOW HIM. Many of us may have walked closely with God at one time and have found ourselves drifting. Maybe something happened or we just got consumed with the daily grind. Wherever we are God never stops loving us and doesnt give up on us. Whatever our choices or circumstances are or have been, God wants us to come back to Him. He is longing to fully restore us. It is up to us to accept this truth and promise and humbly come back to Him. Does this resonate at all with you? Have you had seasons of closeness followed by seasons of drifting? Where would you put yourself now?
Oh Heavenly Father, help us know you. Help our unbelief. Help us want to see the areas in our lives and the actions in our lives that are keeping us from this knowledge. No matter how hard it may be, bring us to the point of placing those things in their proper perspective and turning to you in love.
Hosea 8: Israel Harvests the Whirlwind

Lets go ahead and read the chapter (Hosea 8:1-14) and well focus on a verse or two. More pending disaster for Israel. It is like God is saying, 12.2-1/2.2-3/4.trying to give them every opportunity to do the right thing and turn back to Him. In verses 1-4, what are the reasons cited that punishment will come?
What is Israels response to God in verse 2?
Do we ever feel impending punishment for something we have done and try a quick, but I acknowledge you.help me. You are my God after all. Almost as if it is something God owes us. There is no true repentance, just a plea for help to get us out of it. According to verse 3 & 4 what are they doing while they are crying out to God?
According to verse 13 they are still offering sacrifices as gifts to God. But it is knowledge, relationship, love, reliancethis is what is required, not superficial acknowledgment and going through the religious motions. We cant fool ourselves into thinking we are pleasing God just by doing things like church, church activities, Bible studies, etc. Jennie Allen writes: God is home to us. He is where we were made to be. He is what we were made for. We just forget all that while we are trying to be good and independent. Pretending to be good halts Gods movement in our life. Legalism or religion helps us feel better about ourselves, puffs us up, gives us the posture to be critical and judgmental and prideful. 7 Look at verse 12. The New Living Translation says, Even though I gave them all my laws, they act as if those laws dont apply to them. What do you think this means?
How often we see people (ourselves included) eager to point out the flaws or sins of others, but not recognizing them in ourselves. We can look at the blatant sins of Israel and think we really arent that bad. We are in Bible study after all. We are truly seeking God and we have a desire to follow His ways. I believe that or we wouldnt be spending our time here. Heres 37 Hosea: Redeeming Love
the thing the people in Hoseas time knew the history of their ancestors and heard firsthand the words of the prophets. So why are they continuing down this path? Perhaps the things they are doing are so engrained in their culture and are so part of their normal daily life they dont even recognize it. I think there are a lot of similar things surrounding us today and we have to be deliberate in our search for the truth and not rely solely on what is acceptable in our surroundings, even among so-called good and religious people. Lets also keep in mind the message to one of the churches in Revelation as a reminder to keep from being lukewarm and thinking we can do things on our own. To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of Gods creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarmneither hot nor coldI am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 3:14-22) When I read Revelation and the various messages to the churches, this message to the church of Laodicea is the one that I think many who are somewhat active in the church body may be most convicted over. I know it is for me. I get fired up over lots of things in my life, but am I as fired up (or more) for God and the things that matter to Him? Being lukewarm to God is just as bad as being cold. God wants us to be on fire for him.to be in 100% and not rely on ourselves. Spend some time in closing asking God to show you areas where you may be lukewarm. Ask God to make you on fire for Him!
Verse 14 sums up the root of the issue at handIsrael has forgotten its Maker. God, please let us not forget you, our Maker. Let us worship you and not things made by man. Let us recognize and repent of things in our lives that need to change. Let us not exhaust you or mock you in ungenuine love and just going through the motions.
(note 8)
Hosea 9: Hosea Announces Israels Punishment

Last week was a hard week. Im not going to liethis week is pretty rough as well. However, not one word in Gods inspired message to us is unnecessary. God knows exactly what we need to hear. Chapter 9 moves into the verdict as Hosea announces Israels punishment. Read all of chapter 9 (Hosea 9:1-17). Lets recap the punishment together: Verse 2 what will happen to the harvests? Verse 3 where will they go? Verse 3 what will they eat? Verse 4 what will come of their offerings? Verse 6 what will happen to their treasures? Verses 11 through 16 what will happen to their children?
Verse 15 says that Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal, I hated them there. Read 1 Samuel 11:15. What happened in Gilgal? What did this signify the beginning of for the nation?
Gilgal is where the political and religious failure of the nation began. It is where Israel substituted God as king for a human king for the first time. In Hoseas time, Baal worship was rampid there. Both kings and idols were substituted for God. This is the crux of all other sins having other gods before the true God and not loving God with all our heart, mind and soul. Jennie Allen writes: Theologian Tim Keller says if you love anything more than God, even though you believe in God, if there is anything in your life that is more important to your own identity or significance than God, then that is a false god and it is a power in your life. And you can usually tell that something here has become an idol because you have an extreme reaction when it is threatened. 1 But God often seems unconcerned with helping us maintain same, simple lives where everything fits and works. I dont know what Gods plans are for you, but I do know that we dont hear from him until certain things die. He doesnt compete. And when he does speak, it typically costs something. 2
God is good and cannot coexist with sin. Read Matthew 27:46. How do you see this truth played out in this verse?
At the moment of Jesus death, He took on all our sins past, present, future and in that moment He was separated from God. Jesus suffered this death, but even worse, this momentary separation from God, so we would not have to be eternally separated from God. We tend to think of the physical torture of the cross, but perhaps the most agonizing thing to Jesus was being separated even for just a moment from God (refer to Luke 22:42-44). This is our example of relationship & oneness with God. Really sit on this for a moment. It is worth any amount of worldly angst even the death of His Son to know God and be with Him for eternity. We think how harsh these earthy trials are, but they are nothing compared to eternal separation from God. Not all trials are from God, but all of them can be used to bring us closer to God. James has a few things to say about trials and hardship: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4) Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12) Let us use our trials as a time to draw near to God and let Him make us mature and complete, not lacking in anything. Jennie Allen writes: God has bigger purposes in allowing us to suffer, bigger than just winning. He allows us to suffer because we change through suffering. We hurt with other better. We become humble. We want him more.Ive learned to quit wishing away the hard stuff, because I dont want to miss all the good stuff that goes with it. 3
God is patient for us to come to Him. 2 Peter 3:9 says: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But His righteousness and justice will ultimately prevail. Although the warnings seem vast as we read through these chapters, we dont have time to wait. We never really know when our time will come to face judgment. We want to be alert and ready. Read Matthew 25: 1-13. How does this parable speak to you?
(Note 4)
Thankfully, we have a savior who is waiting for us to turn to Him, to confess and earnestly walk in the ways of God. A Spirit that will help guide us along the way. We are not alone here on this tough journey. We have everything we need in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The good news is that we dont have to have a special ceremony or go to a special place to meet with our Savior. We just need to call out to Him from where we are. As I was working on this chapter, Mandisas song, Waiting for Tomorrow5 was on the radio. I thought these lyrics were appropriate Maybe tomorrow we'll start over. Maybe tomorrow I will finally change my ways Said the same things yesterday Don't know why I'm so afraid To let you in To let you win To let you have all of me
God, we are so thankful you are merciful and patient. Please let none of our earthly trials go to waste. Help us to use them to draw near to you and to become mature in relationship with you to become perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. Help us not to put off tomorrow what we know we must do today. Help us let You in, let You win and let You have all of us. Please do not let us suffer in vain or miss our opportunity for eternity with you!
(note 6)
Hosea 10: The Lords Judgment Against Israel

Clearly God wants to make sure Israel (and us) get the point. The repletion of sin, judgment and impending punishment have a purpose. Read all of chapter 10 (Hosea 10: 1-15). In verse 1, what did Israel do with the worldly things they achieved?
In verse 13, what did Israel rely on?
Jennie Allen writes: Money and a good latte protect us from a lot of things. It is too easy in this country for blessings to become rights, for stuff and money to become what calls the shots in our lives. And before we know it, Gods gifts have replaced God himself. 7 People, stuff, perfectly crafted houses and lives were never meant to help what hurts. In fact, the more we build everything just right, the more protective we get of it 8
As in Hoseas time, we must recognize that worldly security, prosperity and comfort do not save us. They do not bring people to God, in fact they often make it more difficult to seek God. Think about time is your life when everything is clicking and you feel like you might have this thing figured out. In those times it is not as easy to go to God and rely on Him as the true source for lasting security, prosperity and comfort. As verse 13 states, we have eaten the fruit of lies and trusted in other things. God, let us always acknowledge you and not let the successes of this world fool us into believing we can take care of ourselves. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
What does verse 12 tell us to do?
We need to plant the seeds of righteousness and break up our unplowed ground (NIV), Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you (New Living Translation). We need to prepare ourselves for Gods righteousness to be planted in us. 43 Hosea: Redeeming Love
What in your life needs to be broken up and plowed? Reflect this week on what you can do to get your life ready for God to do a good work in it.
The Geared Toward Growth Hosea study 9 lays out a comparison of todays attitude from verses in Hosea chapter 9 and 10, along with Gods viewpoint on these things: Todays Attitude Hosea 9:7 - The prophet is a fool. Well, I mean, he takes religion too far. Hosea 9:10b They loved the detestable thing. Youve only one life to live, so you might as well have a good time. Hosea 9:15 Gilgal where the trouble started. (Appoint us a kinglike all the nations) Whats the harm? Everybodys doing it. Hosea 10:1 The more his fruit increased, the more alters he built. Weve never had it so good. Hosea 10:3 A king what should he do for us? So what? Im alright! I dont need a crutch. Hosea 10:4 They utter more words empty oaths. This soap will make your skin cleaner and softer than any other offer. Hosea 10:14 You have trusted in military might. Scientific man has educated himself past a need for God. Gods Viewpoint 1 Corinthians 1:25 The foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men. John 3:19 The light has come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord. Matthew 6:19 & 20 Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth.but lay up treasures in heaven. Revelation 3:17 You say, I am rich, I have prospered and I need nothing not knowing that you are a wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. Psalm 51:6 and John 14:6 Thou desirest truth in the inward being. Jesus says, I am the truth. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not rely on your own insight.
Hosea 11: The Lords Love for Israel

I have to admit, I at least like the header for chapter 11 (The Lords Love for Israel). Lets see what it says. Read Hosea 11:1-11 (well read verse 12 with the next chapter). We see Gods patience and love, even in times of betrayal by His people. This doesnt mean punishment wont come, but it shows how much it pains God to do so. Look again at verses 8-9. What does this say about Gods character?
Read John 3:17? For what purpose did God send His son into the world? What comparisons do you see between this and Hoseas message?
Like the messages in the Old Testament from the prophets, God sends His only Son into the world for usnot to condemn us, but to SAVE us. To give us an avenue to come to Him. To repent of our sins and live for God, not the so called comforts and luxuries of this world that deceive us. I know it may be beginning to feel like a broken record, but really sit on it for a minute. We need this. We need to look inward, with Gods help and see the areas we need to make changes. It is too easy to look around at this messed up world and feel like we are doing good, but that is not the standard we should be looking at. We need to look through Gods eyes, with Gods help, to see where we need to turn from a crooked path we may be on or other gods we may be relying on. Our lives depend on it. Living in true peace and joy depends on it. It is serious stuff not to be taken lightly or glossed over. Jennie Allen writes: But God is clear. The state of our invisible hearts takes precedence over all the good behavior, over all the bad. From Adam and Eve to the churches described in Revelation, God addresses the inner parts of man. This is what he takes issue with the most. 10
We have been reading a lot about what punishment and life without God can look like. Lets remind ourselves what eternal life with God looks like And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Look! Gods dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21:3-4) No. More. Tears. In addition to peace and joy during our short time on this planet, we will have an eternal peace and joy in Gods dwelling place. Can you seriously imagine what that will be like? No mourning, or crying, or pain. Everything new. All of the heartache, troubles, trials, mistakes we may have made will be wiped away. So much so that even the thought of them, if we will even think of them again, will have no impact because there will be no mourning or pain. Wow! I want to be there when this new Jerusalem is ushered in. God dwelling with us.
(note 11)
Hosea 12: Charges Against Israel and Judah

Read the last verse in chapter 11 and all of chapter 12 (Hosea 11:12-12:14). As we recapped at the beginning of the study, Jacob was one of the early fathers of Israel. Read more about Jacob in Genesis 25:19-34 and Genesis 27:1-36. What do you think about Jacobs way of getting the blessing in light of what we are seeing from Israel?
From the first people, Adam and Eve, we have allowed ourselves to be deceived and use deceit. Like those that would follow him, Jacob used deceit to get his way. However, unlike the Israel we are seeing in Hosea, Jacob sought after God and followed His ways. We see Gods message, through Hosea, to Israel with three things they should do. According to verse 6, what three things is Israel told to do? 1. 2. 3.
Look closely at the second item in three different translations: Act with love and justice (New Living Translation) Commit yourself in love, in justice! (Message) Maintain love and justice (NIV) What do you think it means to maintain love and justice?
Love and Justicethese are the foundation of Gods character and must be balanced. I think a lot of people see love and justice as separate and even opposing. Many people view God more prominently in one camp or the other, but not an equal balance of both. They may see the love only God as a protector that surely tolerates us if we are good and overlooks wrong-doing without consequences. Conversely, they see the justice only God as full of punishment and harsh judgment without mercy. But this isnt the case at all. He is love and He is just. We cant have one without the other. God is both and we must display both as well.
So what do Biblical love and justice look like? We know that God IS love Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8). From 1 Corinthians 13, we know the characteristics of love: patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil, rejoices in truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, never fails. We tend to understand love, but what about justice? The International Bible Standard Encyclopedia12 notes that the original Hebrew and Greek words for justice are the same as those rendered "righteousness." Eastons Bible Dictionary13 defines justice as rendering to everyone that which is his due. According to the Restorative Justice Bible Study14 The Biblical concept of justice goes beyond fairness and equal treatment. It teaches that justice begins and ends in God. It is not something humans created or can fully achieve. When God who is just in Himself brought the universe into being, he made it to be a place of justice. Human beings were made to live justly in relation to God, to each other, and to creation. This justice which comes from God is intimately personal. It is meant to serve people, to foster their well-being. People, then, are at the heart of true justice. But justice is not merely personal and individual relationships are at the heart of justice. God is a perfect balance of both and the cross represents the intersection of the two. How do you see the cross as an intersection of love and justice?
Also from the same Bible Study15: So justice and love are still interdependent and mutually reinforcing, as God shapes and pursues them in and through our lives. However, now they are interdependent and mutually reinforcing in complex and difficult ways [because of the sin that entered the world]. Tension and even pain characterize their joint working out in our world. We see this most clearly and concretely in Jesus on the cross. There, both Gods hatred for sin and his care for the world come together they meet and agree in judgment and in salvation. In suffering for us, Jesus holds together God's justice and Gods love for us.
In earlier chapters of our study weve talked a lot about obtaining knowledge of God and loving God. This love should manifest itself into and outward demonstration of that love in how we treat others. The servant attitude of Jesus is our perfect example.
34
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35
18
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7: 18-20)
31
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.34 Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. 37 Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? 40 The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. 41 Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.44 They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?45 He will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. 46 Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. (Matthew 25:31-46)
14
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, Go in peace; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder. (James 2:14-19) Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
What are your thoughts upon reading some of these verses about our actions as followers of Christ?
We have to not just be satisfied in our own salvation, but we must be a light in our daily lives and interactions to allow others to see a glimpse of the glory of God. Our lives arent simply about getting ourselves into heaven. They are also about how we walk during our time in this world.
14
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16) God, help us not to boast in ourselves, our things or getting away (or thinking we did) with things, but instead let us boast in you alone. Help us recognize your love and justice and demonstrate love and justice in our lives and in our communities. Help us to let our light via your light shine before others. Help our lives glorify and please you.
(note 16)
Hosea 13: The Lords Anger Against Israel

Well close out this week by reading chapter 13. I know it may be feeling like this is getting old, but there is promise of healing coming in chapter 14 and God doesnt let any words go to waste. They all have a purpose. Read Hosea 13:1-16. In verse 4 we are told that we must acknowledge no God but Him, for there is no other savior. In verse 6 we are again reminded of what often leads us astray. What does God say in verse 6?
Do we recognize the things that satisfy us as being from God, or do we think we are satisfied by things of man? Our temporary satisfaction can lead to pride. And pride leads to reliance on man instead of God. Here are some verses about pride 1 Samuel 2:3 -"Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. Proverbs 8:13 - To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 11:2 - When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 13:10 - Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 29:23 - A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. Isaiah 2:11 - The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. Obadiah 1:3 - The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?'
Jennie Allen writes: It physically hurts to see our pride, to see our sin, to quit playing good, to feel broken and to need God. And it hurts even more to let others see it. So we run from falling; we choose large fig leaves to cover up with and not God. We run from that vulnerable feeling that we may not measure up, all while aching to measure up. Throughout the history of humanity, this has been how we engage God. First we ask, is he real? And second, do we really need him? What if the thing we are trying to impress him with was the very thing keeping us from him? 17
For some reason this concept satisfaction leading to pride, leading to forgetting God has really stuck with me as I was writing this and then spending time reflecting on it. It has popped in my head on multiple occasions as I have had interactions with friends, particularly friends going through hard times. In addition to the comforting words I want to say, I find myself thinking that at least in our dissatisfaction (over an event, circumstance, heartache, failure, etc.) we will be less likely in this moment to forget God. We generally hate the current trials we are in and we dread the trials we know will inevitably come, but we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). Relying on God and not becoming prideful are fruitful to us. Perhaps our satisfaction tends to make us forget Him at times. Let us recognize God not only in our trials, but in our moments of satisfaction. Let us lean on God during the trials and recognize God as the source of our satisfaction and not let us forget Him. As I was typing this chapter and coming to the close of the Book of Hosea, I was wondering what Hoseas kids, Wickedness, No Pity and Not Mine are thinking as they are going through their lives listening to their father and his warnings to Israel? I wonder how his relationship with Gomer is coming along? I wonder if she is slowly coming aroundif Hoseas words are impacting her? As often occurs in the Bible at transformation periods, I wonder if Hoseas children will be renamed with names like Love, Redemption, Mercy, Salvation? Hosea wasnt just a prophet. He was a person living his life and speaking the Word. Let us also be boldly used by God for His good purposes.
(note 18)
Hosea 14: Healing for the Repentant

We made it! Not only is it the last chapter and we have almost completed the entire book of Hosea, but it is also the promise of hope and redemption. Take in Hosea 14:1-9. It is so beautiful, isnt it? Especially after all of the recap of sin and punishment we have endured to get to this point. Look at verses 1-3. What things is God telling Israel/us to do?
Return to the Lord. Bring your confessions. Ask for forgiveness. Be graciously received. Offer praises. Never will we call idols our gods. It is that easy. And that hard. But remember, we are not alone. We have the power of the Holy Spirit and can go directly to God through Jesus And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split. (Matthew 27:50-51a) The temple in Jerusalem was where sacrifices were made in accordance with the Law of Moses. The Holy of Holies was the earthly dwelling place of Gods presence. A veil separated the Holy of Holies, or Gods earthly dwelling place, from the rest of the temple. In essence God was separated from man. Only the high priests were permitted to pass beyond the veil, and only once a year, to enter Gods presence on behalf of all of Israel to make atonement for their sins. When Jesus took our sins and died with them on the cross, at the moment of his death, the curtain of the temple was torn. We no longer had a veil separating us from God. We now had Jesus, by whom we could go directly to God. We have the power of the resurrection with us if we accept it. We are not alone on this journey. Praise God, because as we can see from history, the journey is a rough one and we dont fare well on our own. Look at verses 4-8. What will God do?
This is what God has been after all along. Redemption. Healing. Splendor. Shade. Rest from the fight.the exhausting fight. A message for us, as was to Gomer in Hosea 2:18-20: In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety. I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.
Carefully read verse 9. What are your thoughts as we close Hosea?
It is a call to those who are wise and discerning. To realize and understand such things. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. (James 3:13) And what does the wisdom from above look like? But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace. (James 3:17-18) The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9b) God help us to walk in the right ways of the Lord. Help us not be forgetful. Keep us from stumbling. Well spend the rest of this week remembering what we have learned in our journey through Hosea. I love this part of the Sugarland song, Shine the Light1. I picture Jesus in Heaven clapping for us as we enter His kingdom for eternity after our tough races here on earth.
(note 1)
Pulling It All Together

Wow! We did it. We made it through Hosea and I hope you feel like you have learned and have grown in knowledge and understanding as I feel I have. Lets recap what we have learned over the course of the study. Let us make this something we reflect on regularly to not forget.
Week 1: Historical Context & Hosea

In the first week of our study we spent a lot of time recapping the history of Israel. We learned about Abraham, the father of Israel and Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, who was renamed Israel. We learned Jacobs sons sold their youngest sibling, Joseph, into slavery and ultimately the whole family ended up in Egypt where Joseph was able to save them from the famine. As Joseph says in Genesis 50:20, You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. We learned about the Israelites slavery in Egypt and exodus under the leadership of Moses. Disobedience led to wandering in the dessert for 40 years until the next generation was led into the promised land by Joshua. Israel was ruled by judges and had God as their king for a time, but eventually demanded a king, signaling a turning away from their faith in God as their king. Internal battles led to a divided kingdom following the death of Solomon, the wisest king who in his old age fell into sin himself by taking multiple wives of other nations and eventually participating in their pagan rituals. After numerous other kings and prophets, Hosea enters the scene during a time when peace and prosperity were coming to an end for the nations, but not the spiritual mess that it caused. Hosea (meaning salvation) was a prophet told by God to marry a prostitute to symbolize Israels unfaithfulness to God. The message is for us as wellwill we choose the world or will we choose God? We learned about the wife Hosea took, Gomer, and her constant unfaithfulness. Just as Hosea knew Gomer would be an unfaithful wife before he chose her, God knew Israel would be an unfaithful nation before He chose them. And He knew everything about us before he chose us. He still loves us despite all of this and wants us to be fully restored to Him. Three children were born and given names from God: Jezreel represented the wickedness of Israels history and hour of punishment that is coming Lo-ruhaman meaning no love, no pity, no mercy, representing Israel moving outside of Gods protection Lo-ammi meaning not mine, representing Israel no longer belonging to God We see Gomer search for every source to satisfy her, outside of the one that truly loves her and can satisfy her. Like Gomer we are deceived by the things of the world that we think bring us joy and provision, ignoring God as the true source of everything that matters. Not only does this not give us what we really need, it also represents unfaithfulness to God and becoming a Christian in name only. We see how Hosea continued to love her and provider for her, despite her unfaithfulness. He finally had to pull the plug on the assistance and she ended up in a slavery situation, which Hosea ultimately bought her out of. The Israelites were Gods peoplethey belonged to God, but their eyes were on other loves. God pleaded with them patiently, but they 56 Hosea: Redeeming Love
refused to listen. There was no alternative but to expose them to the consequences of their choices. God would eventually redeem them, but the restoration process would be a long one. Israels rejection of God was deep and persistent; and the deeper and longer the rejection, the more difficult the restoration. 2 God leads his people to the dessert and tenderly speaks to them. God wants relationship, not mere obedience. We reflected on how hard this is in our wealthy society (compared to the rest of the world) and looked at the camel in the eye of the needle parable. God, please help us remember to not let our riches or other gods whatever they represent in our lives (security, control, sin, image, finances, status, etc) keep us from entering your kingdom for eternity. Discuss with your small group the most impactful things you took away from week 1 of the study.
Week 2: Israel as Gomer

In week 2 we transition from the story of Hosea and Gomer (okay, I have to admit here that I typed Homerkind of like in our culture today when celebrities date and they combine the namesthat is wrong and ironic on so many levels) to the message from Hosea to Israel. We see the charge against Israel laid out and the list is plentiful, among them, There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the land (Hosea 4:1b). They worship and sacrifice to many other gods and commit a long list of sins. We reflected on our strong need for knowledge, wisdom and discernment to navigate living successfully in this crazy world we live in that is full of other gods enticing us and waiting for us to cling to them. In chapter 6 we get to the heart of what God is after: Im after love that lasts, not more religion. I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings. (Hosea 6:4, The Message ) Continuing on through chapters 7 and 8 we see the Israelites acknowledging God, but only out of desperation and without repentance. They are still sacrificing to God, but doing so along with all of their other sacrifices. They have just added more religious activities to cover all their bases, turning to foreign people, foreign powers and foreign gods. God, help us always remember you, our Maker. Let us have no other gods besides you. Let us not exhaust you or mock you in ungenuine love. Make us aware of where we are just going through the motions in lieu of real love and relationship. Change our hearts to seek you and follow you.to be on fire for you, not just lukewarm. Discuss with your small group the most impactful things you took away from week 2 of the study.
Week 3: Judgment
Week 3 continues where week 3 left off with more recollection of sin and impending punishment. Outwardly they made a great show of religion while inwardly they were moving further and further away from God. God and sin cannot coexist, so soon God will turn away from them. Jesus experienced this for a brief moment on the cross when he took on all of our sins as he died on the cross and he agonized over the prospect of this as he prayed, knowing it was coming. We reflected on the fact that God is patient with us, but we must be prepared and we cant delay in turning to him as was the case in the parable of the 10 virgins. This world is full of trials and we dont want one moment of them not turned into good and a closer relationship with God. Hosea 10:14 tells us to plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness on you. It is hard, but we have help through Jesus and the Spirit. It is also worth it as we remembered in reading about the new heaven in Revelation 21:3-4, where we will dwell with God and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. This is our forever home. We must reflect Gods character here on earth by demonstrating love and justice, as the cross perfectly represented. We cant just sit back secure in our salvation alone. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Discuss with your small group the most impactful things you took away from week 3 of the study.
Week 4: Redemption Awaits

In this final week we see the promise of healing and redemption. It was a long, difficult, tedious, painful to hear process at times. The cycle of unrepentant sin and corruption comes to an end when Israel returns to God and recognized that He alone can save them. I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. (Hosea 14:4). And from verse 5 Who is wise? we want to be! God, please give us wisdom from above. Who is discerning? we want to be! God, please give us discernment. Help us recognize truth and when we are turning to worldly things over you and when we are not walking in love and justice. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them God, let us walk always in your ways! 58 Hosea: Redeeming Love
We may be tempted to think the Old Testament is just a historical account and a different set of rules for the ancient Israelites, but these lessons are every bit as relevant for us today. Even in the book of Revelation about the future there are letters to the churches describing many of the same actions we see in the Old Testament and in our Christian communities today. We dont want to be looking back on our short time here, kicking ourselves that we didnt see and learn the lessons as our brothers and sisters in Hoseas time. Lets learn this thing. Jennie Allen writes: I dont want to get to heaven and see what I could have been a part of but missed because I was numb or selfish or scared. 3 Read Luke 16:19-31. Focus on verses 29 & 31. What is your reaction to this story?
(Note 4)
We talked about fitting in during the first week of our study. During his time on earth, Im sure the rich man fit in according to cultures standards. Im sure he had all the right friends, was a member of all the right clubs, his kids went to the right schools, he got invited to all the right parties, etc. But what good did it do him in eternity? Im not suggesting any of these things are bad on their own, but if they are what we esteem and strive for over things of God then they become a stumbling block to true love and relationship with God. We know we dont want to be like the rich man or like those who didnt listen to Moses and the Prophets. It is easy to just read these accounts and not make them personal. The rich man finally got it, but it was too late. He got it so much that he wanted to prevent those he loved from not getting it and ending up in his situation. As the rich man requested, God sent someone (His son) to die and rise from the dead, and as Abraham told the rich man, it still didnt make a difference to so manyit still didnt lead them to change their ways. I pray that we put our hope and future in someone who died and rose from the dead for us.Jesus! Unlike those who have gone before us, we want to make sure we hear the message and live it out. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in itnot forgetting what they have heard, but doing itthey will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:21-25).
Jennie Allen writes: Do we talk more about God than we obey him? We arent going to get to heaven and have God say, Thanks for talking about doing so much for me with your friends. That was awesome! 5
Clearly it is not an easy road we are on. What can we do to help ourselves not forget and be more successful, remembering these things when life gets busy and complicated? Ive started a list and you can discuss additional ideas with your small group. 1. Pray. This seems like an obvious one, but I think it is so important to get in the habit of praying. There are so many examples of powerful prayer in the Bible. Even Jesus, who is one with God, often took time to pray. The early church all joined together constantly in prayer (Acts 1:14). In addition to prayers of thanksgiving and intercession, pray for a changed heart and to remember these things and do them. 2. Read the Bible. Another obvious, but important and often overlooked one take time out to read the Bible on a regular basis. Read on your own and through studies. The Bible is Gods word to us and this is how we get to know Him and the character we should reflect in our lives. It is a guide for our daily living and a place to go for all our questions. It is our source for knowledge. 3. Support System. Surround yourself with others who want to know and love God like you do. Look at Mark 14:32-42. Ive heard Beth Moore teach on this before and it has always stuck. Jesus had his large group of followers and believers. He also had his smaller group of disciples (Mark 14:32). In Mark 14:33, we see that he also had an even smaller group of close friends Peter, James & John. But we also see in Mark 14:35, sometimes he had to go a little farther on his own. I think having these varying levels of support is critical to our walk. We need our larger church community, but we also need a smaller group (maybe a Sunday school group or Bible study group) and an even more intimate, closer grouppeople you can really share your deepest thoughts. 4. Quiet/Rest Time. My pastor, Mike Hudson, preached on this Sunday. We need to take time to rest, to reflect, to regroup on where we are and where we are going. We need intentional quiet/rest time. As Pastor Mike reminded us, God declared his day of rest Holy not the days he created the world or us. 5. Insert God in Your Day. For me, I do this through music and books. I listen to a Christian radio station during the day in the house and in the car as I am driving around. It is a way for me to keep the words of God in my mind throughout the busyness of my day. Another way I do this is reading good, Christian books that challenge me and get me fired up about Gods kingdom and my journey with him. Clearly these two are big for me, as evidenced by all of the quotes from the book I am currently reading and the song lyrics that I heard as I was writing various chapters that reinforced what I was reading. 6. Scripture Memory. This is another way to keep the word of God top of mind. I have always been terrible at memorizing things, but when I did Beth Moores James Bible study I took the challenge to memorize the book of James. I have loved being in James so much and reciting it over and over again as I memorized small sections at a time. I loved that my mind was filled with James verses.when I couldnt sleep at night, when I went for a walk, when I was driving in the car, when I was waiting on one of the kids activities, etc. Normally my mind would be filled with my to-do list or things I was worried about, but instead I was filling it with the verses I was memorizing. It really was a wonderful way to stay in the word. Find a verse or two that is special to you, or a section of the Bible that speaks to you during your current season of life and begin to memorize it. I think you will find it very rewarding. 60 Hosea: Redeeming Love
7. Mission Work. Get involved in volunteer or mission work. Be the hands and feet of Jesus and your perspective on everything else will change. It is a great way to actively be living the Word.
What are some other suggestions we can do to not forget to make sure the messages stay with you and change you? What specific things are you going to start doing?
Gods warnings to Israel are Gods warnings to us. Likewise, Gods promises to Israel are Gods promises to us. The book of Hosea is a personal appeal to every person, in every age. For us living after Christs death and resurrection, we can see the forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation of love and justice via the cross. Gods plans are still being worked out today and wont come to completion until the end times when the Bible says Israel will come to faith in Christ in the last days and we will all live for eternity praising God. As Genesis opens the story in Paradise, Revelation closes the story in Paradise with a glimpse at our future. Lets read what is in store for us as told in the last two chapters of Gods words to us (Revelation 21 & 22). Ive colored some of the verses that should resonate with us after our study of Hosea.
A New Heaven and a New Earth 21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Look! Gods dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
5
He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Then he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.
6
He said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the 61 Hosea: Redeeming Love
9
west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15
The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick.18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.
22
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lambs book of life. Eden Restored 22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. John and the Angel
6
The angel said to me, These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.
7
Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, Dont do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!
10
Then he told me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy. Epilogue: Invitation and Warning
12
Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 62 Hosea: Redeeming Love
14
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.
17
The Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let the one who hears say, Come! Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
18
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
20
He who testifies to these things says, Yes, I am coming soon.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

21
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with Gods people. Amen.
Yes. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
I love the close of the Toby Mac song, Lose My Soul,6 and I want it to be a prayer for us as we end our study of Hosea!
Lord, forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world that fight for our love and our passion. As our eyes are open wide and on you, grant us the privilege of your world view, and may your kingdom be what wakes us up and lays us down.
Oh heavenly Father, let your kingdom be what wakes us up and lays us down. Help us see the world, other people and circumstances as you see them and love like you love. Help us put you first. Help us know you and love you. Help us esteem the things that you esteem in our culture that tends to favor the complete opposite. Keep us from being consumed by things of this world instead of you. Let us not rely on ourselves and our richesfinancial or otherwise or other gods in our lives. Let us not be lukewarm. Let us be filled with love and passion!
(note 7)
Study References & Notes

Week 1
1
Historical outline summary taken in part from: Konig, George and Konig, Ray, Bible History Timeline, Konig.org, Available from the Internet: http://konig.org/timeline.htm
2
Map of Canaan 12 Tribe Portions. Bible History Online www.bible-history.com. Available from the Internet: http://www.bible-history.com/geography/maps/map_canaan_tribal_portions.html
3
Map from The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, 924 to 722 B.C. map. American Bible Society. www.AmericanBible.org [online]. Available from the Internet http://bibleresources.americanbible.org/bible-resources/bible-resourcecenter/about-the-bible/charts-and-maps/kingdoms-israel-and-judah-924-722-bc
4
Timeline from http://kspark.kaist.ac.kr/Old%20Testament/Jewish%20History.htm
Patterson, Richard, Introduction to Hosea: Historical Context. www.Bible.org [online], January 29, 2008. Available from the Internet http://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-hosea-historical-context
6
Blank, Wayne, Where Are Israel and Judah Today?, The Church of God Daily Bible Study at www.keyway.ca [online], June 4, 2001. Available from the Internet http://www.keyway.ca/htm2001/20010604.htm
7
Map from http://mapsof.net/map/israel-west-bank-gaza-strip-and-golan-heights
Patterson, Richard, Introduction to Hosea: Historical Context. www.Bible.org [online], January 29, 2008. Available from the Internet http://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-hosea-historical-context
9
Bratcher, Dennis, Baal Worship in the Old Testament. Christian Resource Institute. www.crivoice.org [online]. Available on the Internet http://www.crivoice.org/baal.html
10
List taken in part from Hosea: A Bible Study, Zion-Friedheim Lutheran Church Bible Studies, Decatur, IN. Available from the Internet: http://www.zionfriedheim.org/biblestudies/Old%20Testament/hosea.htm
11
Story, Laura (April 12, 2011). One Life to Lose. Fair Trade/Columbia. Life Application Bible App. Updated August 14, 2012. Tyndale House Publishers. Allen, Jennie, Anything (Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelsen, 2011), e-reader pg. 157-158.
12
13
14
Keathley IV, Hampton, Hosea. www.Bible.org [online], June 18, 2004. Available from the Internet http://bible.org/seriespage/hosea
15
Rivers, Francine, Redeeming Love ((Colorado Springs, Co, Multnomah Books, 2007) Mullen, Nicole C. (April 3, 007). One Touch. World Records.
16
17
Keathley IV, Hampton, Hosea. www.Bible.org [online], June 18, 2004. Available from the Internet http://bible.org/seriespage/hosea 66 Hosea: Redeeming Love
18
Allen, Jennie, Anything (Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelsen, 2011), e-reader pg. 315 & 132. Photo from www.worth1000.com Davis, Katie, Kisses From Katie (New York, NY, Howard Books, 2011). Allen, Jennie, Anything (Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelsen, 2011), e-reader pg. 318. Building 429 (May 10, 2011). Where I Belong. Essential Records.
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22
Week 2
1
Image from www.bible-daily.com American Heritage Dictionary (New York & Boston, Houghton Miffin Harcourt Publishing, 2011). Minter, Kellly. Nehemiah: A Heart that can Break (Lifeway Christian Resources, 2012).
Russell, Dorothy, Amazing Love: A Study in Hosea, Geared Toward Growth Bible Studies (Scottland: Christian Focus Publishing, 2004), pg. 23.
5
Allen, Jennie, Anything (Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelsen, 2011), e-reader pg. 168. Ibid, e-reader pg 111. Ibid, e-reader pg 56-57. Lifehouse (September 13, 2001). Everything. DreamWorks Geffen.
Week 3
1
Allen, Jennie, Anything (Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelsen, 2011), e-reader pg. 143-144. Ibid, e-reader pg. 113-114. Ibid, e-reader pg. 320-321. Photo taken from www.ainvaresart.com Mandisa (April 5, 2011). Waiting for Tomorrow. Sparrow Records. Story, Laura (April 12, 2011). Blessings. Fair Trade/Columbia. Allen, Jennie, Anything (Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelsen, 2011), e-reader pg. 107. Ibid, e-reader pg. 110.
Russell, Dorothy, Amazing Love: A Study in Hosea, Geared Toward Growth Bible Studies (Scottland: Christian Focus Publishing, 2004), pg. 38-39. 67 Hosea: Redeeming Love
10
Allen, Jennie, Anything (Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelsen, 2011), e-reader pg. 48. MercyMe (November 30, 2000). I Can Only Imagine. Ino/Epic. International Bible Standard Encyclopedia (ISBE), 2nd Edition (OSNOVA, October 2010). Easton, M.G. Eastons Bible Dictionary (Grace of God Publishing, May 2009).
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13
14
Prison Fellowship International. 2007 Restorative Justice Bible Study. Where Love and Justice Meet. www.pfi.org [online]. Available on the Internet http://www.pfi.org/cjr/justice-and-the-church/rjweek/where-love-and-justicemeet/view, pg. 2.
15
Ibid, pg. 6. Wilson, Josh (February 8, 2011). I Refuse. Sparrow Records. Allen, Jennie, Anything (Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelsen, 2011), e-reader pg. 51. MercyMe (April 25, 2006). Bring the Rain. Ino/Columbia.
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17
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Week 4
1
Sugarland (October 19, 2010). Shine the Light. Mercury Records Nashville.
Smith, Sam A. Hosea: The Story of the Unfailing Redemptive Love of God. Biblical Reader. www.biblicalreader.com [online]. Available on the Internet http://www.biblicalreader.com/reader/Hosea.htm
3
Allen, Jennie, Anything (Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelsen, 2011), e-reader pg. 350. Photo from www.ebiblemovies.com/page/2/ Allen, Jennie, Anything (Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelsen, 2011), e-reader pg. 344. Toby Mac feat. Kirk Franklin & Mandisa/Afterparty (December 2, 2008). Lose My Soul. Forefront Records. Big Daddy Weave (April 17, 2012). Redeemed. Fervent Records/Word.

Hosea Study - OUMC

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Hosea Study - OUMC

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A 4-week Bible Study on the Book of Hosea

Cover adapted from the Bible Study blog design by www.HotBliggityBlog.com

1 Hosea: Redeeming Love

2 Hosea: Redeeming Love

3 Hosea: Redeeming Love

4 Hosea: Redeeming Love

5 Hosea: Redeeming Love

6 Hosea: Redeeming Love

7 Hosea: Redeeming Love

8 Hosea: Redeeming Love

9 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Okayenough history for now. Lets meet Hosea!

10 Hosea: Redeeming Love

11 Hosea: Redeeming Love

12 Hosea: Redeeming Love

13 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 1: Hoseas Wife & Children

15 Hosea: Redeeming Love

16 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Lets continue with Hoseas response. Read Hosea 1:3-9.

19 Hosea: Redeeming Love

22 Hosea: Redeeming Love

23 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 3: Hoseas Wife is Redeemed

24 Hosea: Redeeming Love

25 Hosea: Redeeming Love

26 Hosea: Redeeming Love

27 Hosea: Redeeming Love

28 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 4: The Lords Case Against Israel

29 Hosea: Redeeming Love

30 Hosea: Redeeming Love

31 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 5: The Failure of Israels Leaders

32 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 6: A Call to Repentance

34 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 7: Israels Love for Wickedness

Look at verse 13. What else does God want to do?

35 Hosea: Redeeming Love

36 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 8: Israel Harvests the Whirlwind

What is Israels response to God in verse 2?

38 Hosea: Redeeming Love

39 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 9: Hosea Announces Israels Punishment

40 Hosea: Redeeming Love

41 Hosea: Redeeming Love

42 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 10: The Lords Judgment Against Israel

In verse 13, what did Israel rely on?

What does verse 12 tell us to do?

44 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 11: The Lords Love for Israel

45 Hosea: Redeeming Love

46 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 12: Charges Against Israel and Judah

47 Hosea: Redeeming Love

48 Hosea: Redeeming Love

49 Hosea: Redeeming Love

50 Hosea: Redeeming Love

Hosea 13: The Lords Anger Against Israel