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?

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

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.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

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.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

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.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

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?

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

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.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

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.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED