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Old Testament Interactive

Survey Study

Hosea God’s Graciousness in the Midst of the People’s Unfaithfulness

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The Very Basics

What is Interactive Bible Study? The Method Interactive Bible Study shows you how to discover God's Truth for yourself. The concept behind the interactive study method is to get students personally, intimately involved with the subject, observing carefully for themselves. For example, if we were studying frogs using the method, we would begin by taking students to the pond to touch and observe real frogs before taking them to the library to study books about frogs.

We use a straightforward investigative approach to open the Bible and build the context for each statement it contains. That's where we find God's precepts—or principles—for life. Interactive study is the tool our students use to collect those precepts to build a God-glorifying, Bible-centered worldview with clear applications to live the abundant, victorious life in Christ.

There are three steps to Inductive Bible Study:

Observation Specially designed skills for busy lives in an age of speed, noise and endless distractions, the interactive study method will help you slow down to focus on God's Word, and see what it really says.

Interpretation Careful observation enables students to discover what the text means in its context. Since the Bible is its own best interpreter, the more accurate your observation, the greater will be your understanding of God's Word.

Application The Creator and Author of life has shown us how to live a satisfying, eternally significant life. Intentional, disciplined observation and interpretation lead you to the profoundly applicable Truth of the Bible.

Without application Bible study can become "knowledge that puffs up" or doctrinally shallow anecdotes. Our goal is changing lives by connecting people with Christ.

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What do you know about Hosea?

Name and Correctional Facility:_________________________________________________ Date:________________________________________________________________________

Pre-test 1. What is the Main message of Hosea?__________________________________________________ 2. Who wrote Hosea?________________________________________________________________ 3. Who was Hosea written to?_________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What was the problem that was addressed in Hosea?_______ _______________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What were the people suppose to do with God?____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 6. What are some key words in the book of Hosea?__________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Who was playing the harlot in Hosea?________________________ ____________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 8. What is the state of the people in Hosea and the consequences of their sin? _______________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

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Lesson One—Wife of Harlotry Day One Read through Hosea in one sitting without interruption Do not try to figure out what the author is saying Simply read as you would read a book Record your first impressions Read through Hosea chapter 1 Underline each phrase that mentions the Lord speaking to Hosea Notice the names of the kings Ask Questions: Who, What When, Where, Why, & How

Who is the author? When was it written? What are the names of Hosea’s children? What do their names mean?

Day Two Read Hosea chapter 1 Mark every reference to the key word harlotry in a distinctive way Underline the phrase I will Why did God tell Hosea to marry a harlot? Who is behind all the “I will’s”? List the actions that the “I will’s” introduces How does the tone shift at verse 10? What does God say in verses 10 & 11? Cross Reference: Read Genesis 22:17-18; Ezekiel 37:21-24; & Romans 9:22-26 What does Hosea 1:10-11 mean? What expressions of hope can you find in this chapter? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 1 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

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Day Three Read Hosea 2:1-13 Mark the key words harlot and I will in a distinctive way Does this section refer to Hosea’s wife, Gomer or to the nation of Israel? (Explain your

answer) Who are her lovers?

Day Four

Read Hosea 2:14-23 Mark the key words harlot/harlotry; I will; covenant; and in that day in a distinctive

way Identify the shift that occurs in chapter 2:14 How does this shift relate to the shift in Hosea 1:10?

Day Five Read Hosea 2:14-23 Mark the key word compassion Go back to chapter 1 and 2:1-13 and mark the key word compassion Who is the “her” in Hosea 2:14-20? What is the flow of thought n this chapter? Compare 1 Peter 2:10 with Romans 9:22-26 Are God’s messages in Hosea 1 and 2 consistent? What other information do you learn with time? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 2 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

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Day Six Read Hosea chapter 3 Mark the key words harlot; love; return; and time phrases in a distinctive way How does the Lord’s word to Hosea in this chapter parallel what He said in Hosea 1? What order do the events occur? When does life seem dark for the sons of Israel in Hosea 3? What is the message of hope in this chapter? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 3 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page….

Day Seven Summary Questions 1. What significant meanings do Gomer’s children’s names have? 2. Who committed harlotry? What is the metaphorical meaning of harlotry? 3. What kind of darkness will Israel and Judah live in because of their harlotry? 4. What are the practical expressions of hope in Hosea 1? 5. When will God provide this hope? What order do the events seem to happen in?

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Day Seven---Summary Questions Continued 6. What hope do you find in Hosea 1-3? 7. How do these events show God’s character? What traits do they show? Individual Application What idols might you have in your life? What does God consider “harlotry” today?

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Lesson Two-A Lack of Knowledge

Day One Read Hosea 4 Mark key words harlot/harlotry; I will; knowledge; and geographical references in a

distinctive way List what you learn about knowledge Ask the who, when, when, why, where, and how questions What’s the status of knowledge in the land? What’s happening to the people? What

have they done? Day Two Read Hosea chapter 4 Mark the key words priest/people/prophets in a distinctive way List what each group is doing and what will happen to them

Day Three Read Hosea chapter 4 List what you learn about harlotry Who is “playing the harlot”? Where might Israel go to claim allegiance to God ? (See the geographical references

you marked) Read Malachi 2:7-9 What are the responsibilities of the priests? Read Isaiah 28:7; Jeremiah 5:30-31; 23:11-12 Is Israel’s behavior in Hosea’s time unique? Explain What behaviors were common to the inhabitants of the land and why? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 4 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

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Day Four Read Hosea chapter 5 Mark the key words harlot/harlotry; I will; and Ephraim in a distinctive way List what you learn about these key words

Day Five

Read Hosea chapter 5 What has Israel (or Ephraim) done? What did God say He would do to them?

Day Six Read Hosea 5:8 and 9:9 What do you learn about Gibeah? Read Judges 19:13-30 Why did a trumpet have to be blown in Gibeah? What is God saying? Read Hosea 5:4; John 8:34-36; and Romans 6:6-18 What parallels do you see? What is the solution? How are slaves to sin freed? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 5 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

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Day Seven Summary Questions 1. How do those who have no knowledge of God think, make decisions, and behave? 2. What consequences of rejecting knowledge has God revealed? 3. What did Israel substitute for God? 4. What do people today substitute for God? Where do they go for knowledge, advice, and direction? 5. How are we freed from slavery to sin? 6. Who can heal us from sin, and who can’t?

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Lesson Three—Trusting the Lord Day One Read Hosea chapter 6 Mark the key words harlotry; knowledge; return; and covenant in a distinctive way

Day Two Read Hosea chapter 6 again Mark the key word Ephraim in a distinctive way List what you learn about Ephraim’s spiritual and moral deterioration What judgments will follow? Is there any hope beyond judgment?

Day Three

How does Hosea 6:1-3 relate to Hosea 5? Read 1 Samuel 7:3-4; Isaiah 55:7; Lamentations 3:40; and Joel 2:12-13 What is a “return to the Lord”? Read Hosea chapter 6 Mark the key word loyalty in a distinctive way What do you learn about appearing before the Lord? Read Micah 6:6-8 and Matthew 9:10-13 (compassion is used instead of loyalty) What does God say about loyalty? Is this loyalty in your life? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 6 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

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Day Four Read Hosea chapter 7 Mark the key word Me/My (referring to God) in a distinctive way List what you learn about God What is Israel’s problem? Read Hosea chapter 7 again Mark the key word like (a figure of speech that draws a comparison) God uses these to point our Israel’s sin and the consequences List the comparisons

Day Five

Read Numbers 32:23; Job 34:21-22; Psalm 10:4, 11; Isaiah 29:15-16; Jeremiah 23:23-24; and Ezekiel 8:12

Can we be engulfed in sin without God knowing about it?

Day Six

Read Hosea chapter 7:13-16 Mark the key word woe in a distinctive way List the reasons woe is coming upon Ephraim Where do you turn in calamity? Does the way you live, react, and respond reflect truth or lies about God? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 7 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

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Day Seven Summary Questions 1. What does “return to the Lord” mean? How do we do this? 2. What has Israel done that they need to return to the Lord? 3. Explain the possibility of hiding sin from God 4. Explain loyalty to the Lord—Israel’s and yours 5. What consequences will Israel face for their sin? 6. How can we apply the similes (comparisons) in Hosea 7 to our lives today? 7. What hope does God hold our in Hosea 6? 8. Explain the relationship between the healing God plans to do for Israel and the healing He has done and will do for us. 9. How should we respond to God for what He has done for us?

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Lesson Four—The Discipline of the Lord

Day One Read Hosea chapter 8 Mark the key words idols/calf/altars/high places; and the nations

Day Two

Read Numbers 10:8-10 and Ezekiel 33:1-11 Compare both passages to Hosea 8:1 Why did God call for the trumpet to be blown? Read Hosea chapter 8 List what Ephraim did that required the blowing of the trumpet

Day Three

Read Hosea chapter 8 again Mark the key phrase I will in a distinctive way List what God said He would do Read Proverbs 22:8; Hosea 10:10; and Galatians 6:7-9 What insights do you find? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 8 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

Day Four Read Hosea chapter 9 Mark previous key words and the additional key words Egypt and Assyria in a

distinctive way

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Day Five

Review Hosea 4:15 What did God say about Israel and Gilgal according to Hosea 9? Read Joshua 4:19-24; 5:8-11; and 1 Samuel 11:14-15 Compare these verses with Amos 4:4 and 5:4-5 What do you glean from these passages?

Day Six

List what you learned by marking Egypt and Assyria in Hosea chapter 9 Read 2 Kings 17:1-6, 22-22 How do these passages correlate with Deuteronomy 28:58-68? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 9 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

Day Seven

Summary Questions

1. What do sow the wind and reap the whirlwind mean? 2. Summarize what the blowing or trumpets and the watchman on the wall mean 3. What role did Assyria play in Israel’s history?

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Day Seven-Summary Questions Continued 4. What were God’s commands about Egypt? Why did Hosea say the people would return to Egypt? What was his point? 5. How do these chapters continue the theme of Israel’s harlotry? 6. Why does God proclaim all this judgment? Is He being fair? 7. What applications of these principles can you make to your own life? Be specific.

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Lesson Five—Is There Any Hope? Day One Read Hosea chapter 10 Mark the key words idols, I will, and geographical references in a distinctive way Mark any other key words and/or phrases you find Watch for comparisons (starts with like or as)

Day Two How is Israel’s heart faithless? Read Hosea 2:13; 8:14; and 13:6 Read Deuteronomy 8:11-14, 19 and 32:16-18 What can we learn from Israel’s sins? Read Deuteronomy 4:9-10; Psalm 103:2-5; 119:92-93; and Hosea 8:12

Day Three Did Israel’s pattern of idolatry start in Hosea? Read Exodus 32:1-10 What does David in Psalm 115:1-8, Isaiah in Isaiah 44:9-20, and Ezekiel in Ezekiel

14:2-6 say about idols? What does the New Testament reveal about idols? Read Romans 1:21-24; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 10:19-21; and Ephesians 5:5-10 Record the theme of Hosea chapter 10 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 26

Day Four Read Hosea 11 Mark the key words I will, idols, love, turn/return and geographical references in a

distinctive way If turn/return is used negatively, draw a slash through the word Identify comparisons

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Day Five List what you learn about the state of the people and the consequences of their sin

from Hosea 11:1-7 List some elements of hope according to Hosea 11:8-12

Day Six Read Genesis 10:15-19; 14:1-9 and Deuteronomy 29:22-29 What does God say He doesn’t want to do to Israel in Hosea 11:8-9 Read Ezekiel 36:24-28 Where is Israel’s hope when life seems dark? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 11 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

Day Seven Summary Questions 1. Describe the sins and the sinful lifestyle of Israel. 2. What metaphors and comparisons in these chapters help you understand God’s relationship to Israel? 3. What insights about Israel’s sins can we apply to our lives today? 4. How did God care for Israel?

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Day Seven-Summary Questions Continued 5. What was Israel’s response to God’s love? 6. Why should we hope in God?

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Lesson Six—God’s Solutions to Our Problems Day One Read Hosea 12 Mark previous key words and the additional key words covenant and prophet in a

distinctive way Day Two Read Hosea 12 Look back at every place you marked covenant in Hosea (2:18; 6:7; 8:1; 10:4) Whom was Israel supposed to be in covenant with? What had Israel done? Look at Israel’s relationship with Assyria & Egypt in Hosea Read Hosea 5:13; 7:11; 8:9, 13; 9:3; and 11:5 Record your insights Whom should Ephraim have put their trust in?

Day Three Read Hosea 12:2-6 Mark the key word Jacob in a distinctive way What is the significance of Jacob? Read Genesis 25:21-26; 32:22-32; 35:1-7, 9-15 Familiarize yourself with these verses that are referenced in Hosea What point is God making with Ephraim through the account of Jacob? What is Ephraim supposed to do according to Hosea?

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Day Four Read Hosea 12:5 Compare Hosea 12:5 with Exodus 3:14-15 What is the significance? Read Hosea 12:6 What does God call Ephraim to do and why?

Day Five Read Hosea 12:7-8 What do you think God is saying about Ephraim? Read Hosea 12:9; Leviticus 23:39-43; and Zechariah 14:16-19 as cross references Read Hosea 12:13 and Deuteronomy 34:10 What did you learn from marking prophets in this chapter? How significant were they to Israel?

Day Six Hosea 12:12-14 What do you learn about Jacob’s life before his name was changed to Israel What point do you think Hosea was trying to make in verses 12-13? Read Genesis 28:1-2; 29: 20-30; and Exodus 13:3 Think about what God has done for Israel Record the theme of Hosea chapter 12 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

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Day Seven Summary Questions 1. Summarize Jacob’s life—his birth, marriage, and relationship to Esau 2. Relate Jacob’s life to Hosea chapter 12. What lessons should we learn? 3. Summarize Ephraim’s reliance on Assyria and Egypt. What can we apply to our lives? 4. What value does God place on the prophets He sent to Israel? How should we view the prophetic Word, Scripture? 5. Have you ever wrestled with God? What is God saying to you in this lesson?

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Lesson Seven—How Do I Get Rid of My Guilt? Day One Read Hosea 13 Mark previous key words in a distinctive way According to Hosea 13:1-2, what was the people’s downfall? Read 1 Kings 12:25-33 and 16: 29:33

Day Two

What do you learn about Ephraim from the comparisons in Hosea 13:3? What has God done for the people according to Hosea 13:4-5? What’s the first word of verse 4? Why is it Significant? How did Ephraim respond to God? List what God says He’ll do according to Ephraim’s response Why will He do this? Is it fair? Read Deuteronomy 6:13-15 before you answer

Day Three According to Hosea 13:9-10, who helps and who can’t help? Read 1 Samuel 8:4-8; 9:17 and 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 How do these explain Hosea 13:9-10? What is going to happen to Ephraim according to Hosea 13:12-16? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 13 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

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Day Four Read Hosea chapter 14 How does this chapter differ from Hosea 13? Read Hosea chapter 14 again Mark the previous key words/phrases and the additional key word return in a

distinctive way

Day Five Read Hosea chapter 14 Mark the key word God and all the pronouns in a distinctive way List what you learn about God, especially what He will do for Israel What will God do? What will God be like? What will become of Israel? What will be taken away from Israel? How does this relate to all you’ve seen in Hosea about Israel?

Day Six Read Deuteronomy 4:27-31 How old is this message of redemption and compassion? Read Isaiah 42:23-43:7 and 55:6-7 Was Hosea’s message unique, or had God sent other prophets? Read Acts 26:20; 1 John 1:9; and Revelation 2:5 as cross references Does God’s message to Israel apply to you in any way? Record the theme of Hosea chapter 13 on the Hosea Chapter Theme Chart on page 25

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Day Seven Summary Questions 1. Summarize Israel’s sin. What have they done to make God angry? 2. What was God’s response to their sin in Hosea 13? Did it change in Hosea 14? 3. Did you see an apparent inconsistency in God’s mind in these chapters? Summarize the relationship of compassion to justice. How would you reconcile them? 4. What does God ask Israel to do once they’ve sinned? What does He ask you to do when you’ve sinned? 5. How is God’s response to Israel consistent with His promises in the New Testament? 6. Throughout Hosea, what hope for the future do you see?

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Hosea Chapter Theme Chart Book Theme: (Summary Statement of the Theme of the Book)

Chapter Themes

Author: Date: Purpose: Key Words:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

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What do you know about Hosea?

Name, D.C # and Correctional Facility:___________________________________________

Date: ______________________________________________________________________

Post-test 1. What is the Main message of Hosea?__________________________________________________ 2. Who wrote Hosea?________________________________________________________________ 3. Who was Hosea written to?_________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What was the problem that was addressed in Hosea?_______ _______________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What were the people suppose to do with God?____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 6. What are some key words in the book of Hosea?__________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Who was playing the harlot in Hosea?________________________ ____________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 8. What is the state of the people in Hosea and the consequences of their sin? _______________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

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NOTES

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Notes