Search The Scriptures —Study 3— Hosea 4:1-5:14

Study 3  From The Books of  Hosea  Is: 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 to ally 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 vanity, ‘used ironically for ‘Beth-el’, 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. 5:17. ‘The new moon’: i.e., the next new moon. Within a month ruin will be upon them.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2— Hosea 2

Study 2  From The Books of  Hosea  Is: Hosea 2

1. The adulterer seeks satisfaction in unlawful relationship; 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 achieve? Does this chapter in any way illustrate the conduct and the one sure hope of God’s people today?

Notes:

1. Verse 5. ‘My livers’: 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 Achor. Now they shall again be brought into the wilderness (i,e. 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 (Jos. 7:24), but a door of hope, Cf. Is. 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 of Israel.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1— Hosea 1 & 3

Study 1 From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: 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 upon the Lord; (b) that he was not aware, when he married Gomer, that she would prove unfaithful; and (c) that on looking back later upon 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? Cf. Gn. 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 e Ki. 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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Search The Scriptures —Study 5— Amos 8:4-9:15

Study 5  From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Amos 8:4-9:15

1.     Why is social injustice the burden of Amos’ prophecy? What seven forms of judgement are spoken of in 8:7-14? Are these in any way related to the sins of the nation?

2.     9:1-10. How does this final vision show that none can escape the hand of God?

3.     What does this final chapter teach about the relationship between judgement and restoration in the purposes of God?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4— Amos 7:1-8:3

Study 4  From The Books of Amos Is: Amos 7:1-8:3

1.     What is the significance of each of Amos’ four vision (7: 1-9, 8:1-3)?  What truth is demonstrated by the difference between the first two and the last two?

2.     7:10-17. How does this section reveal the fearless courage of the prophet and the danger to which his obedience to God’s call exposed him?  What may we learn from this concerning the demands of God’s service?

Notes

1. 7:4. “The great deep”: probably a reference to the ancient belief in underground depths which supplied water for streams, springs, etc. Cf. Gn. 7:11.
2. 7:10. Bethel was the chief sanctuary of the northern kingdom.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3— Amos 5 & 6

Study 3  From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Amos 5 & 6

1.     5: 1-17.  God uses various methods to draw men back to Himself. Chapter 4 mentioned natural calamities; this chapter, a plea for right living.  What sins are rebuked in these verses, and what is the one way of escape?

2.     5:18-27.  What is necessary to make our worship acceptable to God? How did Israel fail? Is our worship in danger of falling under the same judgement?

3.     Chapter 6.  Why were the Israelites insensitive to the approaching judgement? What warning does this contain for us?

Notes

1. 5:25, 26.  These verses are obscure, but seem to mean that the idolatrous tendency in Israel found expression in the day of the wilderness wandering as it was doing now in Amos’ day.
2. 6:2. Probably a reference to cities which have recently fallen. Israel is no more secure than they were.
3. 6:10.  This reference to burning the dead indicates a time of emergency.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2— Amos 3 & 4

2  From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Amos 3 & 4

1.      3: 3-8.  These verses, by a statement of the law of cause and effect, underline the fact that the unexpected prophecy of 3:1, 2 is indeed from God. What does this prophecy teach regarding the responsibility of the people of God?

2.     3:9-15. what is the significance of the invitation to the Philistines and Egyptians to come and see the evil done in Samaria?

1.     What does chapter 4 teach on the following issues: (a) the evil of luxury, (b) religious formalism, and (c) God’s attempts to bring Israel to her senses? Notice the solemn conclusion of verse 12.

Notes

1. 4:1. A reference to the wealthy women of Samaria. The cattle of Bashan were noted for their quality.
2. 4:5, 6.  These verses are ironical in tone.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Amos 1 & 2

Study 1  From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Amos 1& 2

1. What are the particular sins of the nations (1:3-2:3) which call for God’s judgment? What may be learnt from this about the things God hates?
2. Judah and Israel are judged because they have failed to live up to God’s law—a different standard of judgement from that applied to the nations. In what ways does 2:4-16 show the social, economic, and religious guilt of God’s people? How do we fall short on the same issues?

Notes

1.         1:3. Heavy machines for threshing grain had been used as instruments of torture on the people of Gilead.

2.         2:1.  Desecration of the dead as considered specially wicked

3.         2:8. Cf. Ex. 22:26.  The judges demanded unjust fines, accepting payment in clothing and wine, then made use of these at their sacrificial feasts.

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Search The Scriptures —Next Study — Books of Amos & Hosea

WHY THESE TWO  BOOKS TOGETHER?

Study  From The Books of Amos & Hosea: Introduction

These two prophets are linked together in that both prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel about the same time.

Amos was the earlier by a few years, His ministry took place in the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II. He himself belonged to Judah, and was a herdsman when called of God to prophesy to northern Israel (Am. 7:14, 15).  The kingdom was at that time outwardly prosperous, but all kinds of evil were rife in the land, and the people, thinking themselves secure in Jehovah’s favor resented any reproof (Am. 5:10) They did not realize that they were not worshiping Him in the way that He desired, and that their sins were bringing judgement near.  Amos, filled with a vision of the majesty and righteousness of God, denounced the sins of the land, and the false worship that was offered. Let them not imagine that because they were the people of Jehovah, therefore they would escape punishment (Am.3:2).

The first three chapters of Hosea also belong to the closing years of the reign of Jeroboam II, but the remaining chapter reflect the chaotic conditions of the periods that followed Jeroboam’s death. Hosea was a native of the northern kingdom, and had been deeply taught in the school of sorrow.  His own sad history was used by the Holy Spirit to fit him in a unique way to see into the heart of God, and to depict the sorrow which His people’s ingratitude and unfaithfulness cause Him. No prophet so clearly shows us the love of God, without in any way weakening the claims of His holiness; and thus he prepares the way for the perfect revelation of God’s love and holiness given in our Lord Jesus Christ.  In understanding Hosea’s message, however, it must be borne in mind that the Israelites had adopted many Canaanite religious practices, including that of gross sexual immorality in worship.  In the light of this, the ‘harlot’ theme in Hosea has both a literal and a metaphorical meaning. 

Search The Scriptures — Study 56 - Revision of The Book of Acts

Study 56 From The Book of Acts Is: Revision

We have reached the end of the book of Acts

1. Trace through the following key verses in the book: 1:8; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20 and 28:31.  What reasons can you list from them for the growth of the early church? What lessons do you learn about obedience to God’s Word, trust in God’s power, and witness to the Lord Jesus Christ?
2. In such passages as 20:18-35; 21:13, 14; 23:1; 24:16; 26:19-23, 29 and 27:22-35, we have an insight into the real personality and spirit of Paul.  List the qualities that are outstanding.  Were these natural or divine qualities?  Can they be yours?