THEE WORD FOR THE WEEK

Know God/Know Hope Hosea 4:1-6:3 January 7-11, 2013

Monday Read Hosea 4:1-11 In these verses God brings formal accusations against His people on account of their unfaithfulness and sin. For what sins does God bring these accusations against His people [v.1-2]? What consequences does God pronounce for Israels unfaithfulness [v.3,6,7,9,10]? Where might you be guilty of living as if you had no knowledge of God? How has this affected your priestly representation of God before the world? Tuesday Read Hosea 4:12-19 In these verses God continues to bring accusations against His people. For what sins does God accuse His people [v.12,13,14]? How do we, like Israel, play the whore by adopting the commonplace practices of our culture and employ them in the service and worship of our God? Essentially, Israels sin was seeking that which only God could provide from something or someone other than God Himself. How might you be doing this? Wednesday Read Hosea 5:1-7 In these verses God announces His discipline upon His faithless people. What is the reason given for Israel being unable to return to their God [v.4]? The text tells us that Israel has dealt faithlessly with the Lord [v.7]. This is essentially a reference to Israels hypocrisy. She observes the feasts & festivals prescribed in the law, but fails to honor God with her life. How might you be guilty of the same hypocrisy? Thursday Read Hosea 5:8-15 In these verses we find the consequences of Israels unfaithfulness continue to unfold. In this text God likens himself to a moth that would devour, dry rot that would cause decay, and a lion that would destroy His people. How long does God say He will bring judgment upon His people? [v.15] How does the word until in verse 15 give us a picture of Gods redemptive heart? God desires His people to turn to Him in faithfulness & love in the face of their judgment. Who do they turn to for help, comfort, & salvation [v.13]? Who will you turn to and earnestly seek for help, comfort, & salvation when you experience the temporal consequences of your sin? Friday Read Hosea 6:1-3 In this text we see an appeal from God for His people to repent & return to Him. What are the two exhortations given to Gods people [v.1a & 3a]? What motivations are given by God to His people for their repentance [v.1b-2,3b]? How does the word that in verses 1 & 2 reveal the loving heart of God who desires the best for His children? As Christians we know that God has ultimately healed us through the tearing of His own Son. The punitive judgment of God fell upon Jesus that we might be made whole. Take a moment and thank God for making you whole through the person and work of His Son.