Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
6:3 Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
Press on…he will come. As we press on in eagerness to know him better, he will come to us like refreshing rain that is restorative.
6:3 Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
Press on…he will come. As we press on in eagerness to know him better, he will come to us like refreshing rain that is restorative.
6:11-7:1“Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people, whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed.
God longs to restore. He longs to be gracious to them. Longs to heal them if they would face up to their sinful ways.
The process of healing exposes sin.
6:11-7:1“Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people, whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed.
God longs to restore. He longs to be gracious to them. Longs to heal them if they would face up to their sinful ways.
The process of healing exposes sin.
8:14 Israel has forgotten their Maker and built palaces; Judah has fortified many towns. But I will send fire on their cities that will consume their fortresses.”
Israel & Judah have built their own prestige and security but it will not last. Trusting in man made structures is not a lasting source of security. God is the only reliable source of our security.
8:14 Israel has forgotten their Maker and built palaces; Judah has fortified many towns. But I will send fire on their cities that will consume their fortresses.”
Israel & Judah have built their own prestige and security but it will not last. Trusting in man made structures is not a lasting source of security. God is the only reliable source of our security.
9:1 Do not rejoice, Israel; do not be jubilant like the other nations. For you have been unfaithful to your God; you love the wages of a prostitute at every threshing floor.
Although Hosea and Gomer’s relationship is not mentioned after chapter 3 the theme of unfaithfulness continues, with Israel compared to a prostitute. It is intimate imagery. Hosea’s words would remind them of his actions towards Gomer, and thus God’s heart towards them.
9:1 Do not rejoice, Israel; do not be jubilant like the other nations. For you have been unfaithful to your God; you love the wages of a prostitute at every threshing floor.
Although Hosea and Gomer’s relationship is not mentioned after chapter 3 the theme of unfaithfulness continues, with Israel compared to a prostitute. It is intimate imagery. Hosea’s words would remind them of his actions towards Gomer, and thus God’s heart towards them.
10:1 Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones.
When God blessed Israel and produced “fruit”, Israel didn’t express their thankfulness to God or share the blessing with others but kept if it for themselves. But this lead them away from God into idol worship. Likewise our ingratitude and self-serving can lead us away from God.
10:1 Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones.
When God blessed Israel and produced “fruit”, Israel didn’t express their thankfulness to God or share the blessing with others but kept if it for themselves. But this lead them away from God into idol worship. Likewise our ingratitude and self-serving can lead us away from God.