Know Your Hosea
What is the name of the prophet whose book contains our lesson?
Hosea
According to verse 1, what did God say He did for Israel when Israel was a child?
“I loved him.”
According to verse 2, even though God loved Israel, what did Israel do?
They turned away from God and sacrificed to Baalim and burned incense to graven images.
In Hosea 11:8, what places does God mention when describing His compassion for Ephraim?
Admah and Zeboim.
What does God say He is in Hosea 11:9?
“I am God, and not man.”
Where is the book of Hosea found in the _______ Testament between what two books in the Bible?
Old Testament between the Book of Daniel and the Book of Joel.
What does God mean when He says, “I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms”?
God is comparing His care for Israel to a parent teaching and supporting a child as the child learns to walk.
Ephraim = the name of one of Joseph's sons → the name of one of Israel's tribes → often used by Hosea to represent the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
According to verse 2, when God called Israel, how did they respond?
They went away from Him
According to verse 8, what did God say His heart was doing within Him?
His heart was turned within Him.
According to verse 9, what does God call Himself in the middle of Israel?
“The Holy One in the midst of thee.”
(Fill in the Blank) The Book of Hosea contains ____________ chapters. It is the first book of the _________ (Minor or Major) Prophets.
14 Chapters
Minor Prophets
The primary difference between Minor and Major Prophets in the Bible is the length of their written book.
According to verse 3-4, how did God describe the way He cared for Israel?
He said He healed them and led them with “cords of a man” and “bands of love.”
According to verse 5-6, what would happen to Israel because they refused to return to God?
They would be carried into captivity and placed under the rule of Assyria.
According to verse 8, what did God say was kindled within Him for Ephraim?
His repentings were kindled together.
God's heart was filled with compassion for Israel. He wanted to show them mercy rather than destroy them.
According to Hosea 11:9, what would God NOT do?
He would not execute the fierceness of His anger and would not return to destroy Ephraim.
What does Hosea 11:1 tell us about Israel's relationship with God when Israel was a child?
God said, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him.”
According to verse 4, what picture does Hosea 11:4 give us of God's relationship with Israel?
It gives the picture of a loving parent caring for a child gently drawing, feeding, and caring for them.
According to verse 7, what did God say His people were bent on doing?
They were “bent to backsliding from me.”
Why is Hosea 11:8 important in understanding God's love for Israel?
God was saying, “You have done wrong, but I still love you. My heart is full of compassion for you, and I do not want to destroy you.”
(Verse 9) Complete the verse: “For I am God, and not ________; the Holy One in the midst of thee.”
Man.
Based on verses 1-4, if God loved Israel when they were young and continued to love them even when they turned away, what does that teach us about the kind of love God has for His people?
God's love is faithful, patient, and persistent. His love is not based only on how well we behave. Even when His people turn away, He continues to call them back to Himself.
Based on verse 4, God said, “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.” What is the difference between God drawing someone with love and forcing someone to follow Him?
God invites and draws people through love, mercy, patience, and relationship. He does not have to force us to love Him. His goodness gives us a reason to turn toward Him.
Based on verses 1-7, Israel had experienced God's love, guidance, healing, and care, yet they still turned away. What can cause a person to forget what God has done for them?
A person can become distracted, spiritually comfortable, influenced by other things, or focused more on what they want than on their relationship with God. Remembering God's faithfulness helps us remain grateful and close to Him.
Hosea 11:8 shows us that God was deeply moved with compassion even though Israel had repeatedly turned away. What does this teach us about how we should respond when someone who has hurt or disappointed us needs mercy?
We should not ignore wrongdoing, but we should also allow mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and love to guide our response. God's example reminds us that correction and compassion can exist together.
Based on verse 8-9, why do you think God says, “I am God, and not man” immediately after describing His decision not to destroy Ephraim?
God is reminding Israel that His response is greater than human anger and revenge. God's holiness does not cancel His compassion, and His justice does not prevent Him from showing mercy. He sees the whole picture and responds according to His divine character.