Today’s passage: Hosea 9
Helpful thoughts:
- This chapter begins with the opposite of what you would hope for in a blessing (Joel 2:23-24).
- Israel thought the fertility cult practices would bring prosperity, instead they brought barrenness.
- Israel was not without warning. The prophets were treated as fools and driven “mad” by the nation’s refusal to repent.
Questions to consider:
- What do we learn about God from this passage? How does He view sin?
- How would a passage like this help us to better understand why Jesus said He was greatly troubled before going to the cross for our sin?
- Why can it be so hard to confront sin in the lives of others? Why is it so important that the confrontation be motivated by love? How can you respond to others in a way that would allow them to feel welcomed to love you in this way?