“But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always” (Hosea 12:6, NIV) [Thought questions for Love and Judgment: God's Dilemma April 10, 2013] 1. The senseless doves. Does it seem fair for God to compare his wayward Old Testament children to ignorant doves? Is God exaggerating when … Continue reading –>
Some ancient scholars viewed the Lord, as revealed in the Old Testament, as harsh and unforgiving, in contrast to Jesus, as revealed in the New. Why is that such a wrong conclusion? How does the message of Hosea 14 help to show just how wrong that conclusion is? What does this chapter reveal about God’s character and … Continue reading –>
“How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within Me, all My compassions are kindled. I will not execute My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For … Continue reading –>
“Forgiving the unforgivable is hard. So was the cross: hard words, hard wood, hard nails.” William S. Stoddard “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 You probably remember a man named Ted Kaczynski – the Unabomber. He’s the man who used … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Hosea reveals more of God’s love in the challenge of justice and judgment. [Teaching Plan for Love and Judgment: God's Dilemma April 8, 2013] 1. Have a volunteer read Hosea 10:12,13. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is. B. How do we … Continue reading –>
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. . . . I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them.” (Hos. 11:1-3, NKJV). In these verses, Hosea is saying that the Lord’s way is like the tender … Continue reading –>
Read Hosea 10:11-13. What message is the Lord giving to His people here? How do we understand the phrase, “until he comes and showers righteousness on you”? (NIV). In Hosea 10, God’s child Ephraim is compared to a trained heifer who loves to thresh grain because she could eat as she threshed. Thus, instead of being productive, … Continue reading –>
“‘Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless—now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria. When they go, I will throw my net over them; I will pull them down like birds of the air. When I hear them flocking together, I will catch them’” (Hos. 7:11-12, NIV). Read these verses in context. What … Continue reading –>
Have you seen it? The head-bob and the eye-roll? You, the adult, have just said something that your teen has deemed – uh, less than intelligent or, at least, not pertinent to his or her current life situation. I hate to admit, though, that I have also performed that little operation as well. Usually just … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Hos. 7:11-12, 10:11-13, Matt. 11:28-30, Rom. 5:8, 1 Pet. 2:24, Hosea 14. Memory Text: “But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always” (Hosea 12:6, NIV). Key Thought: Hosea reveals more of God’s love for His wayward people. A common way in which biblical authors talk about God’s love relationship with … Continue reading –>
“As time went by, Hosea became aware of the fact that his personal fate was a mirror of the divine pathos, that his sorrow echoed the sorrow of God. In this fellow suffering as an act of sympathy with the divine pathos the prophet probably saw the meaning of the marriage which he had contracted … Continue reading –>
Eight-year-old Sharoon [shah-ROON] leaned forward in his seat as his Sabbath School teacher told a Bible story. She asked a question, and Sharoon’s hand shot into the air. The teacher called on him, and Sharoon answered her question. Sharoon loves Sabbath School, especially the Bible stories his teacher tells. The church Sharoon attends meets in … Continue reading –>
This week’s Sabbath School lesson is about Hosea and the relentless love of God. For me, one of the key verses is Hosea 2:14, But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I am so thankful for parents who understand this. I wish all parents … Continue reading –>
“‘And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent’” (John 17:3, NKJV). The name Hosea in Hebrew means “the Lord saves,” and is related to the names Joshua, Isaiah and even Jesus. The prophet calls the people to reject sin and find refuge in their Lord God because He … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for Spiritual Adultery (Hosea) April 3, 1013] 1. A real life parable. According to Hosea 1:1-3, whose idea was it for Hosea to marry Gomer? How did God explain to Hosea why he should marry an adulterous woman? Why did God choose such an unusual way to demonstrate His love for His people? Does … Continue reading –>
Hosea 4:1-3 presents God as one who brings a charge or a legal dispute (Hebrew rîb) against Israel. The chosen nation stood guilty before her God because the people had failed to live up to the terms of the covenant. Truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God were to be qualities of Israel’s unique relationship with Him. … Continue reading –>