“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 –>
Key Thought: Even amid spiritual adultery and divine judgment, God’s love for His people never wavers. [Teaching plan for Spiritual Adultery April 1, 2013] 1. Have a volunteer read Hosea 1:2,3. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is. B. Why does God ask the prophet … Continue reading –>
Read Hosea 2. What is God’s basic message to His people here? How is the gospel revealed in this chapter? Hosea’s message presents the profound truth of God’s steadfast love for an undeserving people. Hosea 2 contains a lengthy speech by the Lord about Israel’s apostasy, which is then contrasted with God’s unfailing love for His people. After … Continue reading –>
When Hosea’s wife, Gomer, committed adultery against him, he suffered the agony of betrayal, humiliation, and shame. To the neighbors and friends who saw his pain, Hosea delivered a divine message through words and actions: Israel, God’s wife, was just like Gomer. The chosen people were committing spiritual adultery. The prophet Jeremiah compared God’s unfaithful … Continue reading –>
“The day of resurrection –” John Wesley sang, “Earth, tell it out abroad! The passover of gladness, The passover of God!” But that brings us no closer. What does that mean? The answer lies far, far away. Go back in time. Back a hundred generations, to the margin of the Roman Empire, in a little … Continue reading –>
“When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, ‘Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord.’ So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.” (Hos. 1:2-3, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Hos. 1:1-3, Ezek. 4:1-6, Hos. 2:12-18, 4:1-3, James 5:1-7,Rev. 14:6-12. Memory Text: “‘I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called “Not my loved one.” I will say to those called “Not my people,”“You are my people”; and they will say, “You are my God”’” (Hosea 2:23, … Continue reading –>
