In chapter 11 another aspect of God's dealings with Israel breaks into view- his persistent love. Judgment there must be (11:5-8), but God will not make a final end of his sinning people.
1. How was God's love manifested in Israel's beginnings? See 11:1-4; cross reference Deut. 7:6-8. How was this love still manifested, in spite of all his people's backsliding? See 11:8-11
2. In chapter 11 God has spoken of his attitude to Israel; now in 11:12-12:2 he speaks of Israel's attitude to himself. Then the prophet reminds the people of the very different history of their ancestor Jacob (12:3-4). What is the attitude to himself that God desires (12:6; cross reference 6:6 & 10:12)? What, however, was Israel's response to all God's pleadings (12:7-14)?
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
#5: Hosea 9 & 10
These chapters are prophecies of coming judgment, and show how the people's sin will bring upon them: (a) exile (9:1-8); (b) a diminished population (9:9-17); and (c) the destruction of both the sanctuaries and the throne, and the reducing of the nation to servitude (10:1-15).
1. 9:1-8 This passage was perhaps spoken at a religious festival, when people were making merry after the manner of the heathen at their festicals (9:1). How does Hosea describe the changes that exile will bring?
2. 9:9-17 God himself speaks. He sees lust prevalent in the nation, as in the most shameful days of Israel's history. To what results would it lead?
3. What different kinds of sin are spoken of in chapter 10? What counsel does the prophet give as to the one way of escape from the coming judgment?
Notes
1. 10:1 "stones" a common feature of a Canaanite shrine, initiated by the Israelites in their worship.
2. 10:5-6 Cross reference I Kings 12:28-29
3. 10:10 "Their double iniquity" perhaps meaning the sins of the throne and of worship.
4 10:11 The position of Israel is to be changed from that of a heifer treading the threshing-floor and eating freely (Deut. 25:4) to the heavy labor of the yoke.
5 10:14 "As Shalman devastated Beth Arbel" The reference is uncertain. Shalman is probably the same as Shalmaneser (2 Kings 17:3)
1. 9:1-8 This passage was perhaps spoken at a religious festival, when people were making merry after the manner of the heathen at their festicals (9:1). How does Hosea describe the changes that exile will bring?
2. 9:9-17 God himself speaks. He sees lust prevalent in the nation, as in the most shameful days of Israel's history. To what results would it lead?
3. What different kinds of sin are spoken of in chapter 10? What counsel does the prophet give as to the one way of escape from the coming judgment?
Notes
1. 10:1 "stones" a common feature of a Canaanite shrine, initiated by the Israelites in their worship.
2. 10:5-6 Cross reference I Kings 12:28-29
3. 10:10 "Their double iniquity" perhaps meaning the sins of the throne and of worship.
4 10:11 The position of Israel is to be changed from that of a heifer treading the threshing-floor and eating freely (Deut. 25:4) to the heavy labor of the yoke.
5 10:14 "As Shalman devastated Beth Arbel" The reference is uncertain. Shalman is probably the same as Shalmaneser (2 Kings 17:3)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
#4: Hosea 5:15-8:14
1. The passage 5:15-6:6 is a dialogue between God and the people, in which God has expressed his purpose to withdraw his presence (5:15), the people light-heartedly profess repentance, and their confidence in God's restored favour (6:1-3); but the true situation is far from what the people think (6:4-6). What does God desire to find in his people?
2. The remainder of today's portion consists of descriptions of the state of the nation: the sinfulness of priests, kings, and people (6:7-7:7); their instability and folly (7:8-8:3); God's anger against both their rulers and their idols- all alike man-made (8:4-13). What do you find here: (a) about the sins that abounded; (b) about false alliances that blinded their eyes; (c) about the real cause of their perilous position?
2. The remainder of today's portion consists of descriptions of the state of the nation: the sinfulness of priests, kings, and people (6:7-7:7); their instability and folly (7:8-8:3); God's anger against both their rulers and their idols- all alike man-made (8:4-13). What do you find here: (a) about the sins that abounded; (b) about false alliances that blinded their eyes; (c) about the real cause of their perilous position?
Friday, January 15, 2010
#3: Hosea 4:1-5:14
1. Note down in chapter 4:1-14: (a) the outward sins which caused the Lord to have a controversy with his people, and (b) the inward condition of which these sins were the outcome. How far might this description be applied to our society today?
2. 4:15-19 This passage may be interpreted as a warning to the southern kingdom of Judah not totally herself with Israel. Why this warning, and what message has it for us?
3. What in chapter 5 are shown to be the real obstacles that separate the people from God, and God from the people? Who are charged with responsibility for this condition of things?
Notes
1. 4:15 'Beth Aven': 'house of wickedness' used ironically for 'Bethel', house of God.
2. 4:17 'Ephraim': the leading tribe of the northern kingdom, therefore used as a synonym for Israel. Only in chapter 13 does it refer to the tribe.
3. 5:7 'New Moon': i.e., the next new moon. Within a month ruin will be upon them.
2. 4:15-19 This passage may be interpreted as a warning to the southern kingdom of Judah not totally herself with Israel. Why this warning, and what message has it for us?
3. What in chapter 5 are shown to be the real obstacles that separate the people from God, and God from the people? Who are charged with responsibility for this condition of things?
Notes
1. 4:15 'Beth Aven': 'house of wickedness' used ironically for 'Bethel', house of God.
2. 4:17 'Ephraim': the leading tribe of the northern kingdom, therefore used as a synonym for Israel. Only in chapter 13 does it refer to the tribe.
3. 5:7 'New Moon': i.e., the next new moon. Within a month ruin will be upon them.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
#2: Hosea 2
1. The adulterer seeks satisfaction in unlawful relationships; the harlot debases high possessions for material gain. How does Hosea show that this is what Israel has done in relation to the Lord himself?
2. What promise is given in verses 14-23 of the final triumph of God's love? How is it to be achieved? Does this chapter in any way illustrate the conduct and the one sure hope of God's people today?
Notes
1) Verse 5 'My lovers' is a reference to the local gods of the land (or 'the Baals', verse 13) whom the Israelites in their backsliding conceived to be the givers of nourishment ('bread and water'), clothing ('wool and flax') and joy ('oil and drink'), and to whom accordingly they offered worship (verse 13).
2) Verses 14, 15 The Israelites, after leaving Egypt, wandered in the wilderness, and entered the promised land by the valley of Anchor. Now they shall again be brought into the wilderness (ie, the exile), but after this time of affliction, they shall return to Canaan, and will find the valley of Achor, not, as at the first, a place of trouble (Joshua 7:24), but a door of hope. Cross reference Isaiah 65:10
3) Verses 18-23 A beautiful picture of peace (verse 18), communion with the Lord (verses 19, 20), and abounding blessing (verses 21-23). Jezreel, which means 'God sows', is used in verse 22 as a name for Israel.
2. What promise is given in verses 14-23 of the final triumph of God's love? How is it to be achieved? Does this chapter in any way illustrate the conduct and the one sure hope of God's people today?
Notes
1) Verse 5 'My lovers' is a reference to the local gods of the land (or 'the Baals', verse 13) whom the Israelites in their backsliding conceived to be the givers of nourishment ('bread and water'), clothing ('wool and flax') and joy ('oil and drink'), and to whom accordingly they offered worship (verse 13).
2) Verses 14, 15 The Israelites, after leaving Egypt, wandered in the wilderness, and entered the promised land by the valley of Anchor. Now they shall again be brought into the wilderness (ie, the exile), but after this time of affliction, they shall return to Canaan, and will find the valley of Achor, not, as at the first, a place of trouble (Joshua 7:24), but a door of hope. Cross reference Isaiah 65:10
3) Verses 18-23 A beautiful picture of peace (verse 18), communion with the Lord (verses 19, 20), and abounding blessing (verses 21-23). Jezreel, which means 'God sows', is used in verse 22 as a name for Israel.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
#1: Hosea 1 & 3
Hosea's life-story is outlined in these two chapters.
1. What evidence do you find: (a) that at the time of his marriage Hosea was already conscious of his prophetic calling, and did all things, including his marriage, with his eyes on the Lord; (b) that he was not fully aware, when he married Gomer, that she would prove unfaithful; and (c) that on looking back later on the whole matter, he recognized that God had brought him through this bitter experience in order that he might understand what Israel's unfaithfulness meant to God? What ought we to learn from such a record? (cross reference Gen. 50:20)
2. Gomer, having proved unfaithful, appears to have forsaken Hosea and sunk to the position of a slave. Hosea, loving her still, redeemed her, but placed her for a time under discipline. How does the prophet use this to illustrate God's love and Israel's future?
Notes:
1) 1:4 see 2 Kings 10:11, 30 Jehu was right in what he did, but not in the spirit in which he did it.
2) 1:10-2:1 is a prophecy of the future, in which the divine love interrupts the message of doom. This is characteristic of Hosea.
3) 3:4,5 This is a reference to the exile.
1. What evidence do you find: (a) that at the time of his marriage Hosea was already conscious of his prophetic calling, and did all things, including his marriage, with his eyes on the Lord; (b) that he was not fully aware, when he married Gomer, that she would prove unfaithful; and (c) that on looking back later on the whole matter, he recognized that God had brought him through this bitter experience in order that he might understand what Israel's unfaithfulness meant to God? What ought we to learn from such a record? (cross reference Gen. 50:20)
2. Gomer, having proved unfaithful, appears to have forsaken Hosea and sunk to the position of a slave. Hosea, loving her still, redeemed her, but placed her for a time under discipline. How does the prophet use this to illustrate God's love and Israel's future?
Notes:
1) 1:4 see 2 Kings 10:11, 30 Jehu was right in what he did, but not in the spirit in which he did it.
2) 1:10-2:1 is a prophecy of the future, in which the divine love interrupts the message of doom. This is characteristic of Hosea.
3) 3:4,5 This is a reference to the exile.
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