Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — Psalm 17

Study 10  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalm 17

1. In verses 1-7 on what two grounds does David base his plea? Cf. 1Jn. 3: 21, 22.
2. Contrast the inward character, the aims and the actions of David and his enemies as revealed in this psalm. In what ways do you resemble David, and in what ways his enemies?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — Psalms 15 and 16

Study 9  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalms 15 and 16

1. Go through Ps. 15 verse by verse, and use it as a test for your own life and holiness.  Then turn to 1 Jn. 1:8, 9.
2. What according to Ps. 16 are the marks of the believing man (verses 1-4)? What his privileges (verses 5-8)? And what his prospects (verses 9-11)?

Notes

1. 15:5a. Cf. Lv.25:35-38; Dt. 23:19, 20. The laws against usury were enacted more as a protection of the poor than against the legitimate use of capital in the interests of trade. Cf.. Mt. 25:27.
2. 16:10. Quoted by Peter (Acts 2:27) and by Paul (Acts 13:35) with reference to Christ. As with Ps. 15, the psalm is fulfilled in Him, and in us through Him.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — Psalms 13 and 14

Study 8  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalms 13 and 14

1. In Ps.13 what is David having to endure? And how does he avoid depression and despair?
2. What can we learn from Ps. 14 about the fundamental reasons why men say, “There is no God’? Cf. 2 Cor. 4:3, 4.  How should this affect our approach to such people? How are they sometimes made aware of the living God?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — Hosea 13 and 14

Study 7 From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Hosea 13 and 14

This is the end of the study of the books of Amos & Hosea.  Tomorrow, we will go back to the Psalms. We will be studying Psalms 13-29. Then, we will start with Thessalonians books.

1. In what four ways is the coming judgment described in chapter 13 (verses 3, 7-8, 15, 16)? And what four reasons are given for this judgment (verses 1-2, 4-6, 9, 16)? What may we learn from this about the nature of sin?
2. Chapter 14 describes the final triumph of God’s love. What according to this chapter, does repentance involve (14:1-3, 8), and what is the divine response?

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Search The Scriptures — Study 6 — Hosea 11 and 12

Study 6 From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Hosea 11 and 12

In chapter 11 another aspect of God’s dealing with Israel breaks into view His persisting love. Judgement 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 beginnings?  See 11:1-4; cf. Dt. 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 which God desires (12:6; cf. 6:6; 10:12)? What, however was Israel’s response to all God’s pleadings (12:7-14)?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Hosea 9 and 10

Study 5  From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Hosea  9 and 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 festivals (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 judgement?

Notes

1. 10:1. ‘Pillars’: a common feature of a Canaanite shrine, imitated by the Israelites in their worship.
2. 10:5, 6. Cf. 1 Ki. 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 (Dt. 25:4) to the heavy labour of the yoke.
5. 10:14. ‘As Shalman destroyed Beth-Arbel’: the reference is uncertain. Shalman is probably the same as Shalmaneser, 2Ki. 17:3

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4— Hosea 5:15-8:14

Study 4  From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: 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 description of the state of the nation: the sinfulness of priest, 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?

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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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