Wednesday, October 28
Read Hosea 1
Think About It:
- What sort of a wife did God ask Hosea to take? What was the purpose?
- How were the names of the children related to what was happening in their country? Who named them?
Family Time:
* The book of Hosea starts when Jeroboam II was king of Israel and Uzziah was the king of Judah.
- In Hosea 1:2, God asks Hosea to take a wife with the same character as God’s people had toward him—UNFAITHFUL—as a symbol of the broken covenant relationship between God and Israel.
- In Hosea 1:3, what is prophesied to happen to the kingdom of Israel? Does it happen later? (See 2 Kings 17:5-6)
- In Hosea 1:4, God promises that at the time Israel is taken away, Judah will be shown mercy and be saved by God (and not by their own strength). How did God do this? (See 2 Kings 19:32-37 & 2 Chronicles 32:21)
*Note this promise was given and fulfilled before King Manasseh of Judah, whose evil impact on Judah later resulted in Babylonian captivity.
- Notice the HOPEFUL promise in verses 10 & 11. Why is this important? (See 1 Corinthians 14:3)
Notice that when God sent prophets, while He at times has very difficult messages for His people, He also included promises of HOPE in every prophetic message to HIS PEOPLE.
As a family, consider watching the movie: “Amazing Love: The Story of Hosea” on Youtube, a streaming service, or request DVD from the Library.
