Read: Chapter 3, 14 and as much of the book of Hosea as possible.
Name_____________________________________________Date__________________
Vital Statistics
PURPOSE:
To warn Israel of God’s impending judgment because of their sins and to urge them to turn back to God.
AUTHOR:
Hosea (his name means “Salvation” as do the names Joshua and Jesus) – the prophet of Law and Love, who ministered to the house of Israel. He was contemporary with Isaiah and Micah.
DATE
WRITTEN:
Hosea’s ministry covers a period of approximately 45 years beginning in ______ B.C. until ______B.C. beginning at the end of the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel, continuing through the reigns of Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekah, and Hoshea, and ending after the Assyrian conquest of Israel during the reign of Hezekiah of Judah.
TO
WHOM WRITTEN?
Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and God’s people everywhere.
SETTING:
Hosea began his ministry during the prosperous by moral decline of the reign of Jeroboam II (The upper classes were doing well but they oppressed the poor) he prophesied until shortly after the fall of Samaria in 722 B.C.
KEY
VERSE:
“Then said the Lord unto me, ‘Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the Lord toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.” (3:1)
KEY
PEOPLE:
Hosea, Gomer and their children.
KEY
PLACES:
The northern Kingdom (Israel), Samaria, Ephriam.
DID YOU KNOW?
We are now beginning the section of the Bible called the “Minor Prophets” Isaiah through Daniel are called the “Major Prophets” this refers primarily to the quantity of what was written not the quality. Hosea employs many images from daily life – God is depicted as husband, father, lion, leopard, she-bear, dew, rain, moth and others. Israel is pictured as wife, sick person, grapevine, grapes, early fig, olive tree, woman-in-labor, oven, morning mist, chaff, and smoke to name a few. Here are some more illustrations of the highly figurative language and phrases that Hosea uses to express the evil conditions in Israel:
“Joined to idols” – (4:17)
“Mixed among the people” – (7:8) {no longer a separate and holy nation}
“A cake not turned” – (7:8) {dough on one side expressing half-heartedness}
“Strangers have devoured his strength” – (7:9) {weakened by evil associations}
“Grey hairs are here and there upon him” – (7:9) {premature old age, and unconscious
deterioration.}
“Israel swallowed up” – (8:8) {National identity lost}
“A vessel wherein there is no pleasure” – (8:8) {a marred and useless vessel unto the Lord}
“The balances of deceit” – (12:7) {Commercial trickery in business}
THE
BLUEPRINT:
A.) HOSEA’S WAYWARD WIFE (1:1-3:5)
B.) GOD’S WAYWARD PEOPLE (4:1-14:9)
1.) Israel’s sinfulness
2.) Israel’s punishment
3.) God’s love for Israel
MAIN
THEMES SEEN IN HOSEA:
The Nation’s sin – Just as Hosea’s wife had been unfaithful to him, Israel had been unfaithful to God. Israel’s
idolatry was like Gomer’s adultery.
God’s judgment – Hosea was solemnly warning Judah against following Israel’s example. Sin has terrible
consequences.
God’s Love – Just as Hosea went after his unfaithful wife to bring Her back, so the Lord pursues us with His love.
No matter what God still loves us.
Restoration – Although God will discipline His people for sin, He encourages and restores those who have
repented.
QUESTIONS
& VOCABULARY:
1.) Hosea had three children, a son and two daughters. He gave each a name that had special meaning to Israel what were their names and what did they mean?
a. ___________________________________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________________________________________
2.) What was Hosea’s wife’s name? ________________________________________________________
3.) What is better than sacrifice? (Chapter 6)___________________________________________________
4.) What did you discover as read this book? Anything new or exciting? If so what? _____________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
(use back of page if you need more space)
SUMMARY:
The Book of Hosea sets forth Hosea’s domestic life as an example of God’s dealings with Israel, revealing His union with the nation, their unfaithfulness to the marriage covenant, His chastisement of her, and His love and mercy in redeeming and restoring her to Himself. It also shows the relationship between three great covenants:
A.) Abrahamic Covenant……………The Nation Chosen
B.) Mosiac Covenant………………..The Nation Chastised
C.) New Covenant…………………..The Nation Cleansed
CHRIST
SEEN:
Christ is seen as The Prophet, (Acts 3:22,23) fulfilling the law (Matthew 5:17,18) and redeeming in love (John 3:16)
Thank you for studying with us today. At this point you may choose to either save an unfinished assignment or submit it to the Pastor’s office for review and feedback.
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