Today, we continue our journey through the Bible with today’s study of Hosea. May God show us what He wants us to learn?
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
As we study the Bible alone or in a group setting, there are several questions we can ask ourselves to help us dig deeper. The five questions are:
- What does the scripture say about God
- Then what does the scripture say about me
- Does something in this passage challenge me
- What gives me hope in this passage
- Is anything unclear to me
I hope these questions help you as much as they help me.
Book of Hosea
- Author: Hosea, son of Beeri.
- Audience: The northern kingdom.
- Date Written: Approximately 715 B.C.
- Length: 14 Chapters.
- Keywords: Return.
- Key Verses: “The Lord said to me, ‘Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.’” (3:1).
- Key People: Hosea, Gomer, their children.
Summary of Hosea:
Hosea is a prophet whom God uses to portray a message of repentance to God’s people. Through Hosea’s marriage to Gomer, God shows his great love for his people. He compares himself to a husband whose wife has committed adultery as a metaphor of the covenant between God and Israel.
Sections of the Book:
The book of Hosea contains three significant themes, which are:
- Superscription (1:1).
- The Unfaithful Wife and the Faithful Husband (1:2-3:5).
- The Unfaithful Nation and the Faithful God (4-14).
Messages in Hosea:
The book of Hosea looks at the relationship between a faithful husband (Hosea, God) and compares it to an unfaithful bride (Gomer, Israel). The presence of Christ permeates the Book of Hosea as the Lover and redeemer of His people, just as Hosea acted as the redeemer of his wife, Gomer. Hosea also depicts Christ’s position as Savior of his people: “And you shall know no God but Me; for there is no savior besides Me” (13:4).
Hosea saw failing to acknowledge God as Israel’s basic problem. God’s relation to Israel was that of love. The husband-wife relationship illustrated the intimacy of the covenant relationship between God and Israel in the first part of the book. And then later amplifies it by the father-child relationship. Disloyalty to God was akin to spiritual adultery,
Final thoughts:
And like so many other books in the Bible, we see God’s character on display in this book. They are:
- Accessible–14:2.
- Good – 3:5.
- Kind – 2:19.
- Loving – 11:4.
- Merciful – 2:23; 14:3-4.
- Provident – 2:8-9.
All Lessons from the Bible
Each book of the Bible contains lessons for us to learn and historical information. We must study God’s Word to see what to do and what not to do in life. Paul reminds us of the importance of the words within the text in 2 Timothy 3.
2 Timothy 3:14-17; “14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Prayer
Please grant me the understanding and knowledge of You and Your word. As I open my Bible to read the scriptures, it gives me wisdom and discernment. And even as I sit and listen to the pastor, preacher or apostle reveal what Your Holy Book is speaking into my life, help me see and understand. Help me know Jesus Christ and how He lived His life so I can follow in His precious footsteps.
As one who has had more than one season of turning away from my Father, Hosea and Gomer’s story has always resonated with me. I’m so thankful for God’s faithfulness and mercy. And for second chances. Thank you, Yvonne, for reminding us how much our Lords loves us.
It is so amazing how many second chances we get and I need all of them. Thanks Katherine
A book full of important lessons that we need to learn, and it seems re-learn. Like Ms. Katherine earlier, I’ve had seasons of turning my back on God and trying to live my own way. The worldly way. All that ever came from that was heartache and dissatisfaction. Each time I confessed, God was ever-gracious to forgive me and restore the right relationship with Him that we need to prosper under His care. Great lessons here ma’am. Not only for me as an individual Christian but also as a church member and leader.
You hit the nail on the head JD. We all try to go it on our own and find heartbreak and problems. Jesus is our only answer especially for our leaders and churches. Thanks.
We can learn something from every relationship. There is wisdom found in studying the relationships in the Bible. Thank you for this reminder.
So true Melissa. God has provided so many stories to help us is most situations in life. I pray for more people to discover the power in the Bible. Blessings
It’s amazing how, even though we’re the “unfaithful wife” and the “adulteress” to God, he still forgives us and takes us back in his arms!
Great observation Jessica. We are and He does always welcomes us back. Blessings
Such a little and wonderful book with such a big message. Thanks, Yvonne, for sharing this work with us. God bless!
Thanks Nancy. It was great to read through the book again. Blessings
Just recently read Hosea. It is always a reminder of God’s deep love. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Thank you Sylvia. Blessings
You covered so much with your father’s information. You’ve made it so easy for us to access it and learn from it. Thank you!
Hosea’s love for Gomer always touches my heart, Yvonne. Their human story helps me understand the depth of God’s love for me. Thanks!
It does help me too and shows me that God can use any of us. Blessings Annie
This is such an amazing love story illustrating God’s great love for us and how He wants us to be faithful to Him. Thank you, Yvonne.
These lessons from your father’s material has been such a blessing, Yvonne! Thank you for sharing with us!
Thanks so much Melinda. Blessings