Hosea 5

• God knows our sins (vs 1,2)
• Though God leaves sinners to their sins, yet He opens the door that repentant sinners might come to Him (Hosea 5:15).

Hosea 6

• Who else can sinners seek for help? (Hosea 6:1)
• A third day resurrection (Hosea 6:2). Where did this idea come from? Remember that this was 7 centuries before Christ.
• Do not be deceived. God is not pleased with vain and faithless religion (Hosea 6:6).

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Hosea 3

• Can anyone who is the least familiar with the Bible not see that Hosea’s purchase of a sinful wife is a picture of Christ’s redemption of sinful men?

Hosea 4

• God’s controversy (Hosea 4:1) with the nation was that they should have known better. They were privileged to have the word and prophets of God; but they chose to live contrary to God’s express will.
• People and priest alike lived in sin (Hosea 4:9).
• Where did they turn for answers to their life questions (Hosea 4:12-13)?
• Backsliders (Hosea 4:16). Not a little, but a lot.

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Introduction to Hosea

• Hosea was contemporary with Isaiah (cp. Hosea 1:1 with Isaiah 1:1)
• Many attempts have been made to prove the chronology of Mrs. Hosea’s sins; and such discussions are not altogether unprofitable. But for today, let us agree that she was not faithful to Hosea; and as such she was a living illustration of the spiritually unfaithful Israel (Hosea 1:2).
• Her three children are named by God, further illustrations of decaying relationship between the nation and their God (Hosea 1:6-9).
• Yet (Hosea 1:11) there is hope that one day, under one Sovereign, the nation shall be restored to glory.
• What does it take for a wife, a mother, to abandon her family and seek the affection of outsiders? (Hosea 2:5)
• And what goes through her mind when she is faced with having to return home to those she had abandoned? (Hosea 2:7)
• What love must the husband have for her that he provides her needs even while she lives in sin? (Hosea 2:8)
• Will any blame him if he should withdraw his support? (Hosea 2:9-10)
• Could you take an unfaithful spouse back into your life? (Hosea 2:20). God does!

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Jotham, King of Judah

(2 Chronicles 27 & 2 Kings 15)

• began to reign at age 25
• reigned for 16 years in Jerusalem
• generally walked in the ways of the Lord
• subdued the Ammonites and put them to tribute
• did not fully remove all the idols and pagan rituals from his land

Meditation Points:

1. not all young people are without spiritual concerns
2. some children follow the good examples of their parents
3. we should not stop cleaning house until all is clean

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