Friday – Hosea 14
1. As you read 14:1-4, keep in mind what Hosea had done for his wayward wife, Gomer. What does the Lord encourage us to do when we go astray? What does he promise us?
2. The repentant believer is like a fragrant cedar and a fruitful olive tree! From where does our fruitfulness come?
3. Note Hosea’s conclusion in the last verse of his book. How has his message made you wise and less prone to stumble?
Thursday – Hosea 13
1. What do the four similes in 13:3 have in common? How is that true also of us?
2. Ponder the striking word picture in 13:13. What does that mean to you?
3. In the midst of condemnation, the Lord again provides a fantastic promise in 13:14. Paul quotes this verse in his famous resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15:55. Even though the Lord promises salvation from death and the grave, what consequences for their sin will happen on earth? See the following verses.
Wednesday – Hosea 11-12
1. In 11:1-4, we see God talking about the Israelites like a mother or father talks about their children. What is so heartbreaking about these verses? What is overtaking the Lord’s anger in 11:8-9?
2. Hosea recounts special events in the life of Jacob (Israel) in 12:3-4, wrestling with God and the stairway to heaven! The Lord is gracious and merciful! What ought that to lead us to do? 12:6.
3. Would wealth really cause someone to think that they could not be found guilty of iniquity or sin? (12:8) Perhaps in earthly courts!! What dangerous attitude is expressed in these words?
Tuesday – Hosea 9-10
1. How was Hosea’s preaching received by the Israelites? (9:7-9) See how Jesus reacts to the same problem today in Luke 10:16.
2. Israelalways had a problem with the temptations of idols, especially because Baal worship involved sex. “Baal Peor” in 9:10 is a reference to their sin as they were awaiting to enter the promised land, Numbers 25:1-3. Instead, how can we remain like “grapes in the desert” or “early fruit on a fig tree”?
3. On the way to the cross, Jesus quotes 10:8. See it in Luke 23:30. Why do people want the mountains and hills to hide them? What are they trying to hide from? How does this also apply to the end of the world?
Monday – Hosea 7-8
1. Apparently the Israelites were disregarding flagrant, public sins, 7:1-7. Why is this dangerous in a city or state? Why is this dangerous in a Christian congregation? (See 1 Corinthians 5:6.)
2.Israeldoes not notice its strength being sapped away through alliances. It is like a man growing old who refuses to see how weak he is getting, 7:8-10. How can an older Christian be in danger of spiritual arrogance?
3. Hosea 8:7a is a famous verse, but what does it mean? Instead of sowing good seed by following the Lord, they sow the wind – nothing. What is that? See 8:5-6. Also 8:9 and 8:11. How can our worship fall into the same sad state? Those “nothings” will produce a dangerous whirlwind of destruction!
Saturday – Hosea 5-6
1. “Ephraim” is another name for all the northern tribes ofIsrael. The Lord is bringing his punishments on them, but to whom do they turn for help? See 5:13. When things go wrong today, to whom do people turn for help instead of the Lord?
2. The Lord will not respond until they (and we) do what? See 5:15.
3. The confession ofIsrael(6:1-3) sounds good at first glance, but what is missing?
It’s a lot like coming back to the Lord because they got caught. How does that apply to us?
4. A key verse is 6:6. What does the Lord desire? Put it in your own words.
Friday – Hosea 3-4
1. Gomer had run away from Hosea and got caught into slavery. Hosea bought her out of slavery – that’s “redemption.” He brought her home. 3:4-5 refers to the New Testament times. Can you guess who “David their king” is?
2. The Lord holds which group most accountable for the sins of all the people? See 4:6-9.
3. Note especially 4:6. Ignorance is no excuse! Yet the people don’t understand they are doing something so wrong, because the spiritual leaders didn’t teach them. How is that same thing happening in churches today?
Thursday – Hosea 1-2
We turn to the first of the “minor” prophets, called that because they are shorter than the “majors.” Hosea is a prophet whose message was for the northern 10 tribes ofIsrael. It is only a generation away from the time when the northern tribes would be taken into captivity byAssyriain 722 BC.
1. The Lord commanded Hosea to do something that’s hard to understand: Marry a prostitute and to call her children (“children of unfaithfulness”) his own. Why? See verse 2.
2. Chapter 1:11 is a prophecy of whom? (If you guessed Jesus, you’re right) Note the names of Hosea’s three children, and how the promised leader/Messiah will correct those sad names into glad names.
3. In Chapter 2, it is the Lord speaking to the children ofIsrael– “Rebuke your unfaithful mother.” Yet starting at 2:14, the Lord speaks words of comfort and callsIsraelback to be his bride. What comfort does that give you and me?
