The Minor Prophets
Lesson 2
Hosea – The Living Illustration
The prophet Hosea’s life gave a direct analogy between the marriage of Hosea and Gomer, and the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Before Israel went into the Promised Land, God warned them about the consequences of unfaithfulness and idolatry. Now Hosea’s marriage around 710 BC, becomes a “living illustration” to Israel. There were three stages to Hosea’s marriage: 1. In chapter one, the sinful unfaithfulness of Gomer destroys the relationship. 2. In chapter two, the confrontations and admonishment, and 3. The restoration of the covenant relationship through love. God used the prophet’s family as a symbolic representation of His dealings with Israel.
Read Hosea 1-3
- What strange and unexpected command did God give the prophet Hosea in ch 1:2?
- What did Hosea name his son and what was the significance of his name (Hosea 1:4-5; 2 Kings 10:6-10)?
- What did Hosea name his daughter and then his second son in Hosea 1:6-9? What was the significance of these names?
- Hosea 2 is spoken both to Gomer’s children and to the people of Israel. “Your Mother” has the double meaning of both Gomer and the nation of Israel. What is the Mother’s sin and what will be her discipline (Hosea 2:2-13)?
- In spite of Israel’s unfaithfulness, what will God eventually do because of His unconditional love (Hosea 2:14-23)?
- What was the indictment of Israel from God as spoken by Hosea in Hosea 4:1-2, 6, 11-13; 8:1?
- What would be the consequences of Israel’s unfaithfulness and disobedience (Hosea 4:9; 5:6; 8:7-9; 9:7-9; 10:2, 13?
- When God’s judgment came, what would Israel say (Hosea 6:1-3)? What is God’s problem with their plea in Hosea 6:4-10?
- In spite of all the coming judgment and discipline upon Israel, would God’s faithful love move Him to eventually restore Israel (Hosea 14:1-9)?
- Did God command Hosea to love Gomer in spite of her unfaithfulness (Hosea 3:1)? Did Hosea have to pay a price for her (Hosea 3:2)? Was their relationship restored (3:3)? Was this living illustration an image of God’s dealing with His people (Hosea 3:4-5)?
