Study 3 From The Books
of Hosea
Is: Hosea 4:1-5:14
- 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?
- 4:15:19. This passage may be
interpreted as a warning to the southern kingdom of Judah not to ally
herself with Israel. Why this
warning and what message has it for us?
- 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
- 4:15. ‘Beth-aven’: house of vanity,
‘used ironically for ‘Beth-el’, house of God’.
- 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.
- 5:17. ‘The new moon’: i.e., the next
new moon. Within a month ruin will be upon them.
