Hosea

BY She Reads Truth

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.