This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll continue looking at the genres of Major and Minor Prophets.
What Is Hosea? The book of Hosea recounts how God used the prophet Hosea’s personal life as a representation of Israel’s repeating cycles of sin, repentance, and redemption. This book contrasts the relentless faithfulness of God with the repeated unfaithfulness of His people.
How Hosea Fits Into the Story: Hosea compares the relationship between God and His people to the real-life marriage of Hosea and Gomer, drawing a parallel between spiritual and marital unfaithfulness. In buying Gomer’s freedom, Hosea pointed ahead to God’s love perfectly expressed in Christ, who bought the freedom of His bride, the Church, with His own life. Like a marriage partner, God is deeply involved in our lives and pained when we go our own way. Often, God’s people have failed to demonstrate wholehearted love and faithfulness to Him, but nothing can quench God’s love for us.
Reflection Questions:
1. Look back to your reading on day 25. How does the portrayal of an ideal relationship in Song of Songs inform your reading of Hosea 6?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
Good Morning Sisters! Thank you for the recommendations for the book, I am an avid reader, and added that one to my cart! I also want to read the whole book of Hosea and hope to do that this evening. The study has been an interesting way to see the Bible as a whole, but definitely makes me want to read the whole books.
Watching The Chosen has really brought to life the disciples for me (and thousands), and of course Jesus, and how they try to question and figure out things with Jesus right there with them. That is the same that we do today, we worry, busy ourselves, try to figure things out….Jesus is here with us, and always calling and speaking to us. We just have to slow down and listen and wait, or act accordingly. In the last episode Mary turned back to her sin, (rather than be in His presence, and then later returned, confessed and repented, and then fell into Jesus’s arms. Wow, it was such an impactful scene, where we have all been! I highly recommend downloading the app and get watching!! Happy Thursday! Love you all! Don’t you just love seeing someone saying they are praying for you or your situation!! It makes your heart flutter knowing people care!! Many of us have been here for years, but I feel like this year has drawn us all closer!! I am missing Tina, Churchmouse, and where is Heidi! and Kathy?! You all are missed! xoxox’s to all of you!
I like “The Message’s” version of today verse, “I’m after love that lasts, not more religion. I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings.” Much of what I read in Hosea can be applied to today’s world. This doesn’t say much.
Lord God help us to turn our ways around and follow You and Christ. Help us to love You more and not the material things around us. Lord remind us You are with us in the good and the bad even if it doesn’t seem like it. Amen.
Have a blessed day sisters.
What stands out to me are the verses that refer to being /& acting as one under authority. I get asked to help with many things that frankly I don’t want to do. There is great peace in knowing that in reality I am actually doing the works that God prepared for me in advance to perform for his glory!
Thank you, Jeanette. What a perfect summation!
I found this a difficult read, I always avoid Hosea for this reason. I need to read some more theological commentary on this book.
Listened to Chris Tomlin’s Whom Shall I Fear this morning. And the chorus of “I know Who goes before me, I know Who stands behind, The God of Angel Armies is always by my side.” Is playing in my head. It has been a tough week, but He reminds me again of His love. Please pray for me, strength, discernment, peace. Thank you all. I love the way Hosea shows the mercy and love God has for us, that doesn’t leave us sitting and wallowing in our sin, but like Hosea chases after Gomer, God’s freedom in forgiveness chases after us. What beauty this is in what His love is. In Matthew 9:10-13 we see He came for the sinner, to meet us right where we are, and then Ephesians speaks of the immeasurable riches of His grace through Jesus. Knowing our sin, knowing the state of the selfish human heart to turn away again and again. God still chose the cross, He still gave Himself for our sins. And we, through no works, but by grace, mercy and redeeming love are saved, made new in Christ Jesus. Given the Holy Spirit to guide and help us and “created for good works, which God prepared ahead of timed for us to do.” How GREAT is our God!
Dear ERB, Isaiah 50 is powerful. I love the confidence you spoke of, of knowing God. I see that in Isaiah 50:4-11 I do love this and “to know the Word that sustains the weary.” And that the faith that is seen here in how God is with us and we do not need be afraid again of anyone. He is Almighty God. The God of Angel Armies, He goes before and behind, He is always by our side. Much in this day my friend. May it all be to the glory of our Mighty God. Praying Sisters that you feel Him holding you in the joy, in His peace, in whatever your day brings look for Him and listen He does not leave us or forsake us. Hugs and love to you all.
This is my “theme song”. Whenever I am low, whenever I need the Lord the most, this song finds me. In church, on KLove, on Amazon Music, your comment – this song ALWAYS finds me when I need Him. It gives me great comfort and strength to know the Lord is always by my side.
What keeps coming in my mind…”For God so loved the world!”….John 3:16 ❤️
Good Morning! @Sydney what you said about the OT reminded me of when I just heard pastor John MacAuthor being interviewed by a Jewish believer. He told him the importance of the OT was to his belief in Jesus. How would he know Jesus is the Messiah if he didn’t see all the prophecies about Him. As we know Jesus is in every book of the Bible!!! Have you ever heard this short clip that tells the Names for Jesus in each book? This is so good!!! https://youtu.be/LMZm17elM-c
Also, sisters may we all pray for the Jewish people to come to see Jesus as the Messiah and Savior and Lord even today. In Jesus’s Name Amen!!!