September 18, 2008 Hosea Chapters 2 & 3

View/Print Study & Class Guide:  Hosea Study Chapters 2-3.pdf

August 21, 2008

Background Questions

1.      When was this book written?

2.    Who wrote this book?

3.    Who were some of Hosea’s contemporaries?

4.    What does the name “Hosea” mean in Hebrew?

5.     Where did the actions in the book of Hosea take place?

6.    Does Hosea come before or after Daniel historically?

7.     There was a great massacre in Jezreel.  Who’s family was wiped out by king Jehu?

8.    Who was Jeroboam I’s contemporary?

9.    What great sin did Jeroboam I commit  leading away the people?

10.            How long did Jeroboam II reign?

HOSEA Chapter 1

The title of the book….

1. Who he was and the kings that he prophesied under.

1.        Gomer: “adulterous wife”

§ Common prostitute?

§ A cultic prostitute of Baal?

§ Maybe just unfaithful

§ She became a living parable of Israel’s unfaithfulness.

§ Some say that God “permitted” Hosea to marry Gomer, others disagree and say that God told him to do it. How do you see it?

2.        Jezreel

§ A symbol of the evil nature and bloodshed in the city of Jezreel.

§ The name means “God will scatter”

3.        Lo-ruhamah

§ “never knew a father’s pity”

§ “Not loved.”

4.        Lo-ammi

§ Not my people

§ Amillennialists use this scripture as proof that God is through with the nation of Israel.

§ However, as a whole, Hosea cannot be taken to say this theology.

5.        What does the naming of these children indicate to you?

§ Withdrawing of God’s Love?

§ Withdrawing if God’s Forgiveness?

§ Are their other times in the Bible where the people broke God’s covenant and had to suffer the consequences?

6.        God Promises a future reversal….(1:10-2:1)

7.   God sometimes calls us to tasks that are difficult, demanding, and in our view, unpleasant.

§ Name a task or work God has called you to that you thought was difficult?

§ How do we approach a difficult task God has laid upon our hearts?

Questions to ponder as you read Hosea 2 for our next study

I.                  Define these Old Testament words:

v Corn

v Mirth

v Decked

II.               Compare Chapter 2 to the story of the prodigal son.

III.           Look for parallels between how we treat God and how Gomer acted.

IV.            What is the great cost of turning our backs on God?

V.               How does that make you feel?

VI.            Is sin impulsive?

VII.        How is Hosea 2 playing out in our lives today?

VIII.     Compare man’s forgiveness to God’s forgiveness.

IX.           Give three examples of God’s forgiveness.

X.               What is the main theme of true forgiveness?