Today’s passage: Hosea 1
Helpful thoughts:
- The timing given for Hosea’s prophetic ministry means he lived to see the fulfillment of the northern kingdom’s end as the city Samaria and Israel (The northern kingdom) fell in 722 B.C.
- In Hosea’s marriage to Gomer, Hosea is used to picture the Lord and Gomer represents Israel.
- Israel’s forefather (Abraham) had been saved from his and his peoples’ idolatrous past.
- Israel went back to idolatry even after God brought them out of their bondage in Egypt and into the Promised Land.
- In the midst of these prophesied judgments, God commits to keeping His promises (Verse 10).
Questions to consider:
- What does the potential shock of Gomer’s past make us think concerning her marriage to Hosea? How does the comparison of our condition in our sin before we became members of the Bride of Christ cause us to rethink that shock? Or in other words, how might it be good for us to be a little shocked that God would love us this way?
- Who was behind the estrangement between Israel and her God? Who was behind the mercy and grace shown that allowed the Jewish people to have a future and be called the children of the living God?
- Where does salvation come from? Why would our bows and swords and efforts always fall short? Who deserves all honor, glory and praise?