Bible studies on the Minor Prophets, HOSEA No.1, 9 January 2003 ...

<strong>Bible</strong> <strong>studies</strong> on the Minor Prophets, HOSEA No.1, 9 January 2003Reading: all of Hosea and especially Hosea 1:1-9Questions1. Find out what you can about Hosea himself from his book.2. What is the main theme of the book of Hosea?3. How is this theme developed in other parts of the <strong>Bible</strong>, including the NewTestament?4. Why do you think that Hosea precedes Amos in the order of books in the Hebrewcanon?5. Hosea 1:1. (Optional for those without reference material). Find out the dates thesekings ruled.6. Hosea 1:1-2. In these verses what do we learn about how God communicates withindividuals?7. Compare the calls to prophethood of Amos (Amos 7:10-16), Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-12and Hosea.7. Hosea 1:2-3. How do you explain these verses?8. Hosea 1:4- 9. How can we deduce that the second and third children of Gomer wereillegitimate?9. What did the choice of names emphasize?The Message of Hosea: Love to the Loveless, Derek Kidner IVP, 1976, Leicester.<strong>Bible</strong> <strong>studies</strong> on the Minor Prophets, HOSEA No.2, 16 January 2003Reading: Hosea 1:10 - 2:1 A break in the cloudsQuestions1. Hosea 1:10-11. To what 4 or 5 promises does ‘Yet’ point? See especially Genesis22:17-18 and Isaiah 10:20-23.2. List some information from the <strong>Bible</strong> about Jezreel. See 1 Samuel 29:1, 1 Kings21:1, 2 Kings 9:24 etc.

3. Hosea 1:11. What evidence is there that the concept of the one nation was not deadafter the division of the kingdom after Solomon into two? 2 Chronicles 34:6-7 &9;compare with 2 Chronicles 35:18-19. See also 1 Chronicles 9:3; and Ezra 8:35 forafter the Babylonian exile..4. Hosea 2:1. Unravel this verse. See Acts 26:6-8; Galatians 3:6-9; Romans 4:9-25and John 11:51-2. How did God include the Samaritans (John 4:21-3) and theGentiles?5. Hosea 1:10-2:1. What spiritual principles do we learn from these few verses?6.What promise or promises of God are particularly relevant to your life at the presenttime?<strong>Bible</strong> <strong>studies</strong> on the Minor Prophets, HOSEA No.3, 23 January 2003Reading: Hosea 2:2-23 The lovers and the LoverQuestionsHosea 2:2-4 She is not for sharing1. What 2 pictures of Israel’s apostasy do we find in these verses?2. Is the question one of saying ‘sorry’ or of radical repentance? What is thedifference?Hosea 2:5-13 The rude awakening3. What parallels can you find between this passage and the parable of the prodigalson in Luke 15:11-32?Hosea 2:14-17 The constant Lover4. Investigate the meaning of Achor in Joshua chapter 7.5. How did God make the Valley of Achor a Door of Hope for Israel? How can he dothis for us?6. Investigate the meaning of Baal.Hosea 2:18-20 Perfect bliss7. Comment on ‘that day’. What did it mean for Hosea and his time? What does it

mean for us now, and for the future?8. Hosea 2:19-20. Examine each of the key words in these verses. What do we learnfrom them about the nature of God?Hosea 2:21-23 Abundant concord9. In what way are these verses an answer to polytheism?10. What do these verses teach about covenant? What do they say to us? See Romans9:23-26 and I Peter 2:9-10.<strong>Bible</strong> <strong>studies</strong> on the Minor Prophets, HOSEA No.4, 30 January 2003Readings: Hosea 3:1-5 Love…as the Lord loves. Hosea 4:1-19Questions1. How does God sum up the situation of Hosea’s marriage, comparing it to his owncovenant relationship with the Israelites? How does Ephesians 5:32-33 relate toHosea 3:1?2. Comment on ‘sacred raisin cakes’, ‘15 shekels of silver’, ‘homer’, ‘lekhed’ andephod’.3. Why is this chapter written in prose and not poetry?Note that the remaining chapters of Hosea (4-14) spell out the parable containedin chapters 1-3.Questions on 4:1-19Hosea 4:1-3. All the sins in the book4. Hosea 4:1. What do faithfulness, kindness (hesed) and knowledge of God tell usabout relationship?5. Hosea 4:2. In these sins how did the embryonic become full-blown? Compare withthe sermon on the mount.6. Hosea 4:3. What are the effects of sin on humanity and the environment?Hosea 4:4-6 The guiltiest party7.Who is the guiltiest party? See Matthew 15:14.Hosea 4:7-11 Like people, like priest8. Do people get the leaders they deserve?9. Why are the priests obsessed with food and sex?Hosea 4:11-14 Creeping corruption10. Why are God’s people without excuse?11. Why does God not allow a double standard – one for men and another forwomen? Compare Genesis 38:23-24.Hosea 4:15-19 Keep your distance12. Note the use of irony and compare with Amos 4:4 and Luke 15:17.<strong>Bible</strong> <strong>studies</strong> on the Minor Prophets, HOSEA No.5, 6 February 2003Reading: Hosea 5:1-7:2

Questions on Hosea 5:1-13 The prospect darkensHosea 5:1-2 A nation to avoid1. Comment on Mizpah and Tabor.2. What sections of Israel were culpable? How can we apply these verses to thepresent day?Hosea 5:5-7 No short way home3. Was there still hope for Israel? What 2 factors stand out?4. What is the fundamental lack in nominal religion?Hosea 5:8-14 Deep troubleNote on Hosea 5:8-9. Israel/Ephraim was wiped out in 722 BC.Note on Hosea 5:10. Judah and Benjamin were brought to their knees in 701 BC onlyto collapse after little more than a century.5. What do we learn about the sin of land-grabbing? See also Micah 2:2 and Isaiah5:8. What examples do we see today?6. How did God use Assyria as his instrument of punishment? How did he act moredirectly himself? Are there modern parallels?Hosea 5:15-7:2 Let us press on to know the LordHosea 5:15-6:6 The reunion God longs for7. How do you interpret this section?8. How does Jesus apply Hosea 6:6? How does this verse relate to us? See 1Corinthians 13.Hosea 6:1-7:2 The rebuff to God’s advances9. Hosea 7:2. Why does God and his judgment seem irrelevant to many people thenand now?<strong>Bible</strong> <strong>studies</strong> on the Minor Prophets, HOSEA No.6 & 7, 13 & 20 February 2003Readings: Hosea 7:3-16 Decadence. Hosea 8:1-14 Sowing the wind, reaping thewhirlwind.Questions on Hosea 7:3-7 Corruption at court1. What should the royal anniversary have been like? See Psalm 72:1.2. What striking simile does Hosea use here for the actuality?3. What kind of men ruled Israel before its final fall and disappearance in 722 BC?See 2 Kings 15:10, 14, 25 & 30. Consider the rulers of our times and pray for thenations.Questions on Hosea 7:8-16 A nation of unteachables4. Hosea 7:8. What is the meaning of this simile? How can it be applied to the church

today? George Adam Smith The Book of the Twelve Prophets, 1900, p. 272: “Howbetter describe a half-fed people, a half-cultured society, a half-lived religion, a halfheartedpolicy, than by a half-baked scone?”5. Hosea 7:9-10. What is the meaning of this simile? How can it be applied to thechurch today? Read Judges 16:20.6. Hosea 7:11-13. What is the meaning of this simile? How can it be applied to thechurch today?7. Hosea 7:14-16. What is the meaning of this simile? How can it be applied to thechurch today? Read Psalm 78:57.Questions on Hosea 8:1-14 Sowing the wind, reaping the whirlwindNote:Israel’s dangerous self-reliance runs all through this chapter with its selfappointedkings, its man-made calf, its expensive allies, its own version ofreligion and its impressive fortresses. (Kidner).Hosea 8:1-3. Alarmist or realist?8:1. What indicates that Israel does not realistically recognize the dangers?8:2. What light do John 8:33, 9:28f. and John 2:4 shed on Hosea 8:2?8:3. What of the covenant, the law and ‘good’?Hosea 8:4-14. The self-help that is no helpa. Hosea 8:4-6. Puppet kings and puppet gods9. Indicate some modern parallels to such kings and such gods.b. Hosea 8:7-10. Desperate diplomacy10. The main context is foreign policy and the main issue is faith and fidelity.(Kidner). Give some modern parallels.c. Hosea 8:11-13. Religiosity11. Hosea 8:11. How does this verse relate to 1 Corinthians 11:27?12. Hosea 8:12. How does this verse relate to 1 Corinthians 2:14?13. Hosea 8:13. Explain the significance of ‘return to Egypt’. Grace becomes disgrace.d. Hosea 8:14. Misplaced trust14. What does this verse teach us about God and building? See Psalm 48:12-13,Nehemiah 4:14, 2 Kings 18:13 and 2 Kings 19:20f...<strong>Bible</strong> <strong>studies</strong> on the Minor Prophets, HOSEA No.8, 27 February 2003Readings: Hosea 9:1- 10:15 Punishment for IsraelQuestionsHosea 9:1-17 Wanderers among the nationsHosea 9:1-6 The party is over1. How modern is this description? See James 4:4.Hosea 9:7-9 The prophet is a fool2. Why have true prophets been considered mad? 2 Kings 9:11; Jeremiah 29:26f. ;

Acts 26:24; John 7:20, 8:48 and Matthew 5:11-12.3. What was God’s title for the prophet in this passage?Hosea 9:10-14 The glory departs4. Hosea 9:10. Another link with a parable see Matthew 21:18-19.5. Read about Baal Peor in Numbers 25:1-3. What 2 kinds of impurity andunfaithfulness are seen at Baal Peor and here in Israel? See also Psalm115:18.6. Hosea 9:11-14. What natural disasters arise from the misuse of sex in any age?7. What were Israel’s/Ephraim’s final losses?Hosea 9:15-17 The disinherited8. What 4 judgments are listed here?9. What is God’s last word about the Jews? See Romans11:11-16 and 25-36.Hosea 10:1-15 ‘Time to seek the Lord’10. What is the key verse in this chapter? Why is it key?Hosea 10:1-2 Bounty and betrayal11. “The development of cultic sanctuaries was simply turning part of the profit backinto the business. Altars and pillars were the holy machinery which produced theprosperity.” (J L Mays). Name some modern parallels.Hosea 10:3-6 Disenchantment12. Hosea 10:5. What is the difference between worldly grief and godly grief? 2Corinthians 7:10.Hosea 10:7-10 Days of reckoning13. The fall of Samaria is a foretaste of greater tragedies and judgments. See Luke13:2-5; 23:30-31 and Revelation 6:15-16.Hosea 10:11-15 A choice of harvests14. Hosea 10:11. See Hebrews 5:8 & 12:6. Jeremiah 4:3.15. Israel reacted badly to discipline. What was the result? See Mathew 13:1-9.<strong>Bible</strong> <strong>studies</strong> on the Minor Prophets, HOSEA No. 9, 6 March 2003Readings: Hosea 11:1-12:14Hosea 11:1-11Questions1. Why is chapter 11 so remarkable?Hosea 11:1-4 The cold shoulder2. Hosea 11:1. Why is this such a remarkable verse? See Exodus 4:22 and Matthew2:15. Why is the plural implied or used for ‘son’ in Exodus 4:22 and Hosea 11:2?

Hosea 11:5-7 The cruel consequences3. How much is the will involved in repentance?4. Why is Egypt mentioned? Why Assyria?Hosea 11:8-9 The warm resolve5. How was Ephraim different from Admah and Zeboiim?6. Give a brief definition of the word ‘holy’ a. in regard to God b. in regard to man.Hosea 11:10-11 The great home-coming7. Find another example of home-coming in the Old Testament which describes adetermination to follow the Lord.Hosea 11:12- 12:14 Look back and learn!Hosea 11:12-12:2 Double talk and double dealing8. Why were both kingdoms rebuked but especially Ephraim/Israel?Hosea 12:3-6 Wrestling Jacob9. Read Genesis 25:26. What does the name Jacob mean literally and figuratively?10. Read Genesis 32:22-32. What does the name Israel mean? What evidence is therein Hosea 12:3-6 of God’s part in the re-making of Jacob? What was now required ofthe people of the northern kingdom of Israel?Hosea 12:7-9 Affluent Ephraim11. Compare Ephraim with the Laodiceans in Revelation 3:17. Why is there aflashback to the Exodus?Hosea 12:10-14 Prophet without honour12. What do we learn in this passage about the role of the prophets? Deuteronomy18:15-22.13. Hosea 12:14. What special danger faces a once-enlightened nation, church orindividual? Matthew 4:4 and John 3:21.<strong>Bible</strong> <strong>studies</strong> on the Minor Prophets, HOSEA No. 10, 13 March 2003Readings: Hosea 13:1-14:9Questions on Hosea 13:1-15 The making of a kingdomHosea 13:1-3 Vanished dignity1. What mind-shift resulted in the sorry condition of Ephraim? What basic elementmakes this mind-shift so grave?2. How does the breaking of the first commandment lead on to the breaking of thesecond? Exodus 20:2-6.Hosea 13:4-8 No tame divinity

3. Exodus 20:5. God is a jealous God. What does this mean? How can his beingsaviour be reconciled with his judgment?4. Optional! Which hymn writer wrote “The dearest idol I have knownHelp me to tear it from my heart and worship only you”?Hosea 13:9-13 Who can help you?5. Why is Israel beyond help at this point?Hosea 13:14 The last enemy6. What final triumph does God promise? 1 Corinthians 15:54-55.Hosea 13:15-16 No quarter for Samaria7. Give 2 reasons for the severity of Ephraim’s suffering.Questions on Hosea 14:1-9 The way homeHosea 14:1-3 Draw near to GodGeorge Adam Smith: ‘Amos cries, “Turn, for in front of you is destruction:;” butHosea, “Turn, for behind you is God.”’ p. 339.8. What are the elements of true repentance?Hosea 14:4-7 …and he will draw near to you9. Hosea 14:4. What does this verse teach us about the grace of God? How would youdefine grace?10. Hosea 4:5-7. “Like” is used 8 times. What do the metaphors in these verses teachus?Hosea 14:8 The appeal pressed home10. “O Ephraim!” What feelings lie behind this? Also look up Genesis 41:52.Hosea 14:9 Epilogue: To the reader11. The word of God goes on speaking. In what ways does it speak to us?12. What impact has the book of Hosea made on you?