Thursday, October 29
Read Hosea 2
Think About It:
The book of Hosea was written around 710 BC by the Prophet Hosea. It is the first book of the minor prophets in the bible. It was written to the children of Israel to call them out of their sinful ways of apostasy. The book contains symbolic messages about the ways of the Israelites. Names are significant. Here are a few from the book with the meaning,
Hosea – salvation or deliverance
Gomer – completeness
Jezreel – God will sow
Lo-Ruhamah – no mercy
Lo-Ammi – not my people
The Unfaithful Wife. The idolatry of the people. God’s judgments against them. His promises of reconciliation with them.
Key verse – 2:23: “At that time I will plant a crop of Israelites and raise them for Myself. I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to those I called ‘Not My people,’ I will say, ‘Now you are My people.’ And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’”
- What did Gomer say after she could not find her lovers? (verse 7)
- Upon whom will God have mercy? (verse 23)
- What will God say to them who were not His people? (verse 23)
Family Time:
- In verses 2-13, Israel’s unrepented sins put into action the reap/sow cycle of God’s judgement. How can we avoid God’s punishing judgement?
- In verses 14-23, God shows that His ultimate goal is to reveal Himself and “her” true condition to herself, that He might bring her (Israel/His people) back to Him.
- Read 2 Timothy 2:13… can you see this truth revealed in this chapter of Hosea?
