Hosea – When God’s Family is Broken
November, 2020 version
Background on Hosea: Rather than focus on the wisdom of God as Proverbs and other books do, or the judgment of God, as Obadiah, Nahum, and other books do, Hosea focuses of the strong emotions of God. God has a fierce passion, which hates sin, but loves the lost even more. God took great pains, and had Hosea take great pains, to illustrate to Israel the present state of their covenant relationship with Him.
Hosea is the only book about a northern prophet who spoke to the northern people. Some distinctive names for God that Hosea uses are “Most High”, “Holy One”, and appealing to their history, and mentioning the golden calves. Of course, it would not be expected that prophets to the southern kingdom would prominently mention the golden calves.
The word “return” is used in Hosea 22 times, and Gomer, and Israel, returning to Hosea and God is a major theme.
Dating of Hosea: This book was written from 760/753 to 725/722 B.C. King Jeroboam mentioned in Hosea is known to us as Jeroboam II, who is discussed in 2 Kings 14:23-29. Israel was militarily strong at the start of Hosea’s career, and they were wiped off the map just after his time. Jeroboam I, the first king of the divided northern kingdom, had made golden calves at Bethel and Dan for the people to worship instead of going to Jerusalem. Amos was a prophet at the same time, and Micah and Isaiah were later prophets who overlapped with Hosea.
Pre-Nicene and Post-Nicene writers who refer to Hosea
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Dead Sea Scrolls (-68 A.D.) 32 copies |
Theodotus the probable Montanist (ca.240 A.D.) |
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Philo of Alexandria (15/20 B.C.-50 A.D.) |
Origen (225-254 A.D.) |
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Justin Martyr (c.138-165 A.D.) |
Novatian (250/4-256/7 A.D.) |
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Melito of Sardis (170-177/180 A.D.) |
Cyprian of Carthage (c.246-258 A.D.) |
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Theophilus of Antioch (168-181/8 A.D.) |
Athanasius of Alexandria (c.318 A.D.) |
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Irenaeus of Lyons (182-188 A.D.) |
Lactantius (c.303-c.325 A.D.) |
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Clement of Alexandria (193-202 A.D.) |
Synopsis Scripturae Sacrae (350-370 A.D.) |
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Tertullian (198-220 A.D.) |
Jerome (373-420 A.D.) |
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Hippolytus (222-235/236 A.D.) |
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An Outline of Hosea
A: Here is a high-level outline of Hosea 1-3
1-3 Hosea’s family as an allegory
-1-2:1 Israel’s unfaithfulness
--1:3-9 God will scatter, mercilessly, those who are not His people
--1:10-2:1 God will gather, mercifully, those who are His people
-2:2-13 God’s rebuke and judgment
-2:14-3:5 God will draw her back and have mercy
--2:14-2:23 God draws back the Israelites
--3 Hosea buys his wife out of slavery
For chapters 4-14, commentators divide Hosea in two different ways: 1 rebuke and multi-rebuke.
1 rebuke: Rainbow Study Bible, The New Bible Dictionary (1962), the New International Bible Dictionary (1987), the Believer’s Bible Commentary, Wycliffe Bible Dictionary.
Here is a sample outline
4:1-6:3 Israel’s unfaithfulness
6:3-10:15 God’s Rebuke and Judgment
11-13 God’s gentleness and wrath
- 14 Return to God, who is full of mercy
A major shortcoming of this approach, is that you have passages of God’s mercy in 5:15-6:3, 11:8-11, and God’s judgment in 11:12-13:16.
Here is an alternate outline that sees four cycles, with an offer of grace at the end of each cycle.
3 Rebukes: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament, New Geneva Study Bible
1-3 Hosea’s Family as an Allegory
1:2-9 The Charges and Punishments
1:10-21 The Lord will Restore his People
2:2-13 The Charges and Punishments
2:14-3:5 The Lord’s and Hosea’s Redemption
4-6:3 Charge of Failing to Acknowledge God
4:1-5:14 The Charges and Judgments
4 - Against the people
5:1-5:14 - Against the Priests
5:15-6:3 Return and God will Heal Us
6:4-11:11 Charge of Breaking God’s Covenant
6:4-11:7 The Charges and Judgments
11:8-11:11 God’s Compassionate Redemption
11:12-14:9 Charge of Faithlessness to the Lord
11:12-13:16 The Charges and Judgments
14 Repent and God will Receive You
Hosea is a tough book to outline. The New International Bible Commentary p.875 remarks the only indisputable divisions in Hosea are at 4:1 and 14:1.
Hosea 1 – Jezreel: Shattered Marriages: Hosea’s and God’s
1. In Hos 1:1, why were four kings of Judah mentioned but only one king of Israel?
2. In Hos 1:1-2, why did God command Hosea to take a wife who was like this, since Lev 21:5,13-14 says priests are not to do so?
3. In Hos 1:1-2, was Gomer a woman like this prior to marrying Hosea, or afterward?
4. In Hos 1:2-3, is God telling Hosea to commit adultery? (A Muslim asserted this.)
5. In Hos 1:2, should Christian men today ever have a prostitute as a wife?
6. In Hos 1:4,6,9, why were Hosea’s children given such strange names?
7. In Hos 1:4, what do we know about the Valley of Jezreel?
8. In Hos 1:4, why would the blood of Jezreel be on the house of Jehu, since Jehu followed God?
9. In Hos 1:4. how are some people today in the Valley of Jezreel?
10. In Hos 1:8, why are we told that the third child came right after the second was weaned?
11. In Hos 1:8-9, what is the significance of the name of the third child?
Hosea 2 – Achor: God’s Rebuke and Judgment
1. In Hos 2:1-7, why was Hosea pleading with his wife here?
2. In Hos 2:2,5-13, was Gomer undeserving?
3. In Hos 2:3f-5, what is the relationship between thirst, crops and lovers?
5. In Hos 2:15, what is the significance of a door of hope in the valley of Achor?
6. In Hos 2:15, how are some people metaphorically in the old Valley of Achor, and how can they get to the new one?
7. In Hos 2:16, why should they call God “Ishi” instead of “Baali”?
8. In Hos 2:17, why did God want them to not even remember the name of the idols?
9. In Hos 2:17, should Christians today name things after idols?
10. In Hos 2:23, why did God show mercy to them when previously He did not?
Hosea 3 – Bought back from Self-Inflicted Bondage
1. In Hos 3:1, what is rather awkward about the phrasing here?
2. In Hos 3:1, what is the significance of raisin-cakes, then and now?
3. In Hos 3:2, what is significant about how Hosea paid for Gomer?
4. In Hos 3:2, what can we tell about the man Hosea bought Gomer from?
5. In Hos 3:1-3, why was this intermediate “restricted” period here?
7. In Hos 3:5, when is trembling good?
8. In Hos 3:5, how will they return to David their King?
Hosea 4-5 – Pay Attention Covenant Breakers!
1. In Hos 4:1-3, why was there no knowledge of God in the land?
2. In Hos 4:2, what does “blood touches blood” mean?
3. In Hos 4:6,14, why do people perish from lack of knowledge, since God judges people based on what they know in Rom 4:15, Rom 5:12, and 2 Pet 2:21?
4. In Hos 4:7, how could they exchange their glory for something disgraceful?
5. In Hos 4:8, what is meant that some “eat up the sin of people”?
6. In Hos 4:14, why will God not punish the immoral women here?
7. In Hos 4:15; 5:5, why do people follow the example of others into sin?
8. In Hos 4:15, 5:8, what is significance of the term “Beth Aven”, then and today?
9. In Hos 4:16, what is it that makes some people stubborn, and more stubborn than others?
10. In Hos 4:18, how is the Israelites’ immorality similar to sour drink?
11. In Hos 5:4, how do their works not permit them to return to God?
12. In Hos 5:6, why will some seek God but not find Him?
13. In Hos 5:15, why did God slowly punish Judah and Israel after giving them so many warnings?
Hosea 6-7 – How do People Return to the Lord?
1. In Hos 6:1 what makes a repentance shallow and temporarily vs. genuine and permanent?
2. In Hos 6:1, how do you urge others to return to God?
3. In Hos 6:2, what is the significance of two and three days?
4. In Hos 6:3, why is it important to acknowledge the Lord?
5. In Hos 6:4, how was their faithfulness/goodness as a morning fog or dew?
6. In Hos 6:5, how did the prophets saw in two the Israelites?
7. In Hos 6:6, was Hosea against the Mosaic sacrifices?
8. In Hos 6:6, what are examples since the time of Christ where God desires mercy and not sacrifice?
9. In Hos 6:9, why are priests described this way?
10. In Hos 7:6, why does it say “their bakers”?
11. In Hos 7:7, what was the sin of devouring all their judges and kings?
12. In Hos 7:8, what is the meaning of the analogy of the cake?
13. In Hos 7:16, what is so bad about a faulty bow?
Hosea 8-10 – Apostasy and Recompense
1. In Hos 8:2 how do people say that they know God, when they do not?
2. In Hos 8:4, what was wrong with setting up kings, but not by God?
3. In Hos 8:7, how did they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind?
4. In Hos 8:8, what is a pottery vessel that has no pleasure?
5. In Hos 8:13 and Hos 9:3, why would they return to Egypt?
6. In Hos 9:7-17, why were these religious leaders treated this way?
7. In Hos 10:1, how does an empty vine bring forth fruit to itself?
8. In Hos 10:2, how can a heart be “divided” (NKJV, KJV) “deceitful” (NIV), or “false” (NRSV)?
9. In Hos 10:3, why would the Israelites say in the future that they had no king because they did not revere the Lord?
10. In Hos 10:14, who are Shalman and the town of Beth-arbel?
Hosea 11-12 – Even in Wrath God Has Mercy
1. In Hos 11:1, how did God call His son out of Egypt?
2. In Hos 11:1-2, how is God like a parent whose children want nothing to do with Him?
3. In Hos 11:4, how does God give us gentle cords?
4. In Hos 11:8, what is the point of Admah and Zeboiim?
5. In Hos 12:1, what does the metaphor of the east wind mean?
6. In Hos 12:3, how did Israel grasp his brother’s heel?
7. In Hos 12:5, what does it mean that the Lord is his memorial?
8. In Hos 12:7, does the Hebrew word mean “merchant” or “Canaanite”?
9. In Hos 12:11, what is wrong with sacrificing bulls at Gilgal?
10. In Hos 12:12, what does it mean that Israel served for a wife?
Hosea 13-14 – The Lord is Watching
1. In Hos 13:2, what does it mean to kiss the calves?
2. In Hos 13:1-2, what are some examples of how does a once-mighty nation, people, or organization falls and become no more?
3. In Hos 13:8, what does “bereaved of her whelps” mean?
4. In Hos 13:11, how did God give them a king in anger and why? What application does this have for us?
5. In Hos 13:14, is this a clear indication of belief in the afterlife?
6. In Hos 14:1-2, can a once-mighty nation, people or organization, that is about to fall ever come back and revive, and if so how?
7. In Hos 14:3, what is the point of Asshur will not save us, we will not ride on horses?
8. In Hos 13:7, 14:8, what is unusual about this word “cares for / watch”?
9. In Hos 14:9, in summary what are “the ways of the Lord” that the wise understand?
Hosea 1 – Jezreel: Shattered Marriages: Hosea’s and God’s – some brief answers
1. In Hos 1:1, why were four kings of Judah mentioned but only one king of Israel?
A: Hosea does not say. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1377 speculates that this might have been to highlight the legitimacy of the Judean kings versus the kings of Israel. In other words, Hosea did not want to dignify the usurpers of the throne of the northern kingdom with the title of king.
2. In Hos 1:1-2, why did God command Hosea to take a wife who was like this, since Lev 21:5,13-14 says priests are not to do so?
See Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.294-295, Hard Sayings of the Bible p.322-324, When Critics Ask p.297-298, 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.200-201, and the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1095-1096 for more info.
3. In Hos 1:1-2, was Gomer a woman like this prior to marrying Hosea, or afterward?
A: First what is not the answer, and then the answer.
Not the answer: Various people’s preconceptions have influenced them to believe that this was only a dream, or that Gomer was really righteous and this was just an allegory. The was the view of many Jewish people during the Middle Ages according to The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.164. However, Scripture gives no support for these fanciful additions.
The answer: In Hosea 1:2, Hosea was commanded to marry an adulterous wife. On one hand this could be prophetic of what she would start to do later. On the other hand, she might have been a loose woman prior to marriage.
See the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.814, the New International Bible Commentary p.873, the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.605, and the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1095 for a discussion of the different views.
4. In Hos 1:2-3, is God telling Hosea to commit adultery? (A Muslim asserted this.)
A: No, God never told Hosea to commit adultery, and Hosea did not commit adultery. Rather, Hosea married an ex-prostitute, you later returned to prostitution.
5. In Hos 1:2, should Christian men today ever have a prostitute as a wife?
A: No, because believers should marry only believers. In addition, imagine what kind of spiritual influence the wife would have on the husband and kids.
However, a believing person can marry some one who used to be immoral but repented and came to Christ. However, in doing so, be aware of the many sexually transmitted diseases that the spouse might have. Some of the diseases to know about include clamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts, herpes, papilloma virus, and AIDS.
6. In Hos 1:4,6,9, why were Hosea’s children given such strange names?
A: While some native African children were given strange and negative names, such as sickness, because of their religious superstitions, Hosea was not doing this from either culture or personal preference.
God told Hosea to name his children with these strange names as a sign to the Israelites. One might think God was “unfair” to force Hosea to do this. God is not unjust, but God is inequitable in this life, and God has the right to be this way. God valued the Israelite people more than Hosea’s family life. Hosea did not object to being used by God in this special way, and God will make everything just and equitable in the end.
See Hard Sayings of the Bible p.324-325 for more on the “unexpectedness” of God’s unmerited grace towards them.
7. In Hos 1:4, what do we know about the Valley of Jezreel?
A: Jezreel refers both to a very fertile valley, and a city at the edge of the valley. The word Jezreel means “scattered or sown of God”. But it can refer to a blessing sown by God, or a curse sown by God. See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.15 for more info.
Naboth was a righteous man, and his vineyard was in Jezreel in 1 Kings 21. The strong and evil queen Jezebel, and the weak and evil king Ahab had Naboth falsely accused so that they could take the prime vineyard. Later, Jehu slew Joram, son of Ahab in Jezreel.
Today there are times of testing, or “Valleys of Jezreel” for individuals (both believers and non-believers) and for a church. New areas of ministry, purpose, and blessings can be opened up, or not, depending on the outcome of the test.
8. In Hos 1:4, why would the blood of Jezreel be on the house of Jehu, since Jehu followed God?
A: God used a prophet to tell Jehu to become king over Israel, which he did in 2 Kings 9. However, God did not tell him to kill Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 22:7-9), and the relatives of Ahaziah in 2 Kings 10:12-14, God did not tell Jehu to act deceitfully pretending to serve Baal in 2 Kings 10:18-19 and then kill them all.
Jehu unfortunately was selective in his opposition to idolatry. He did not turn away from the golden calves in Bethel and Dan, as 2 Kings 10:28-31. In addition, a picture and inscription on the Assyrian black obelisk (841 B.C.) show Jehu bowing to Shalmaneser III. While Jehu was inconsistent in following God, he was consistent in acting in his own self interest.
It is interesting to ponder that God would have known all of this prior to selecting Jehu, but Jehu apparently was still preferable to Jezebel and Ahab.
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1271, 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.1128-129, When Critics Ask p.194, Hard Sayings of the Bible p.235-236, and the Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.207-209 for more info.
9. In Hos 1:4. how are some people today in the Valley of Jezreel?
A: When someone follows (or does not follow) God, there are long periods where others do not visibly see any consequences, good or bad. But suddenly, and sometimes severely, a time of reckoning comes and the consequences are easily seen. Galatians 6:7-8 teaches that we reap what we sow. At the time of the reaping, there is often little you can do about that, good or bad. But before that time there is a lot you can do. Take heed what you are sowing.
10. In Hos 1:8, why are we told that the third child came right after the second was weaned?
A: There is no spiritual allegory here; rather this was just a family detail that Hosea wrote. However, little details like this serve to show us that this was a real, literal marriage between Hosea and Gomer, and not solely a spiritual allegory. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.172 for more info.
11. In Hos 1:8-9, what is the significance of the name of the third child?
A: The three names of the children mean “God will scatter”, “no mercy, and “not my people”. The Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1097 suggests that part of the reason for the third name was that Hosea was unsure whether that child was actually his or not.
Hosea 2 – Achor: God’s Rebuke and Judgment – some brief answers
1. In Hos 2:1-7, why was Hosea pleading with his wife here?
A: The answer is implied in Hosea 3:1-3; Hosea was pleading with his wife not to leave him and return to prostitution.
We don’t know all of the reasons why she wanted to return to that sinful lifestyle. Perhaps it was for pleasure. Perhaps it was because she thought Hosea wasn’t too existing every day. Perhaps she thought that a prophet was not making much money, so she could not afford to buy the luxuries she wanted. Perhaps it was a combination of the above. But ultimately, she was not content where she was at. There are always other places where the grass looks greener. As Erma Bombeck said, “The grass is always greener over the septic tank.”
2. In Hos 2:2,5-13, was Gomer undeserving?
A: Technically Gomer was not undeserving. Rather, she was very deserving, - of Hosea’s divorce and scorn. She through away her honor as a wife and traded it for shame. Many people have rejected God and are not just undeserving, but rather deserving of God’s wreath. But just as Hosea accepted Gomer when she came back, God accepts rebels who repent and come to Him. See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.14 for more info.
3. In Hos 2:3f-5, what is the relationship between thirst, crops and lovers?
A: baal was supposedly the god of thunder, and rain, and thus fertile crops, and thus fertile animals and people. God gave them those things, yet they looked to Baal. God was incensed that the silver and gold, given by prosperity from God, the gave to Baal. So God was going to take those things away from them.
A: This was not any particular festival. Rather Baalim is the plural of Baal, and this refers to the days of holiday celebrations when the Israelites worshipped the idolatrous Baals of the Canaanite, Phoenician, and Ugaritic religions.
5. In Hos 2:15, what is the significance of a door of hope in the valley of Achor?
A: Achor was the valley between Jericho and Ai where Achan was stoned to death in Joshua 7:26. This place of judgment for sin would become a door of hope.
6. In Hos 2:15, how are some people metaphorically in the old Valley of Achor, and how can they get to the new one?
A: The word “Achor” means trouble. As the Evangelical Commentary of the Bible p.607 puts it, “the valley of sin and destruction is to be the valley of joy and harvest.” In a place where they had already reaped the sorrow and consequences of their sin, God can touch even those places and bring hope, healing, and use it for His glory.
7. In Hos 2:16, why should they call God “Ishi” instead of “Baali”?
A: The word Ishi means “my husband’ and Baali means “my master/Lord.” Baal, which means “master/Lord”, was a common title for the Canaanite idols. They may have though that Yahweh and Baal were the same, and using “Baal” for both. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.179 for more info.
8. In Hos 2:17, why did God want them to not even remember the name of the idols?
A: Probably so that the knowledge and details of the idol worship would not be remembered, and thus could not be a temptation to succeeding generations.
As a side-note, Gideon was not renamed after an idol. Rather, his new nickname, Jerubaal, means that Baal would contend with him, and it was not honoring to Baal.
9. In Hos 2:17, should Christians today name things after idols?
A: No. While 1 Corinthians 8:4 shows that an idol is really nothing (but a lie), we should not name things after idols, because of two reasons.
For idols that people still worship: it could tend to legitimize the evil religious practice.
For all idols: we do not want to give the appearance of taking idolatry lightly.
Today if you need to need to make up a new name for a product, would you want to name it after a pagan idol? – I hope not.
10. In Hos 2:23, why did God show mercy to them when previously He did not?
A: If one understood God’s hatred of sin, and saw how far from God the wicked Israelites were, one could reasonably (but incorrectly) assume that God would never give them another opportunity. However, God’s love for them was so great that this was not the case. As bad as they were, God would still forgive them and accept them back, if they repented and came back to Him.
Hosea 3 – Bought back from Self-Inflicted Bondage – some brief answers
1. In Hos 3:1, what is rather awkward about the phrasing here?
A: Hosea 3:1 in Hebrew literally says “love a woman/wife”, and not “love your woman/wife”. This is obviously referring to Gomer, but why not say “your wife”, that is, if she had any remaining feeling of being Hosea’s wife. They must have had a completely cut off relationship at this point. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.181 and H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.24 for more info.
2. In Hos 3:1, what is the significance of raisin-cakes, then and now?
A: Raisin-cakes were used in worshipping Baal and his consort Ashtarte. Eating raisins is not bad, nor eating cake, and raisin-cakes were not too expensive. However, these little delicacies were just as a small token of affection to the Queen of Heaven, the Canaanite idol Ashtarte, as Jeremiah 7:18 and 44:19 show.
Today people, including some Christians can have “small tokens of affection” for sin or idolatry. Do you have any statues of Buddha or other idols in your home? Do you have any other pictures of sin, or signs or mementos of sin. Do you keep anything of astrology, the occult, or demons or witches? If you do, then throw it out.
See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.181, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1387, and H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.25 for more info.
3. In Hos 3:2, what is significant about how Hosea paid for Gomer?
A: Based on the price of barley in 2 Kings 7:1, the total price for Gomer was about 30 shekels. This was also the price of a slave 700 years earlier in Exodus 21:32. So this was a typical price for a female slave. However, it would have been more straightforward to just pull 30 shekels out of your purse and pay “all in cash” so to speak. Apparently Hosea did not have that much cash, and so had to scrape and scrounge around to collect enough to pay the price.
See the New International Bible Commentary 875, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.182 footnote 2, the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.607, and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1387 for more info.
4. In Hos 3:2, what can we tell about the man Hosea bought Gomer from?
A: Not much, but there are at least three possibilities.
He might have bought her as his own concubine, or female slave for having sex.
Or he might have been a pimp renting her out to others.
Or he might have been an official at a pagan temple, willing to sell an aging temple prostitute for the right price.
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1387 for more info.
5. In Hos 3:1-3, why was this intermediate “restricted” period here?
A: While scripture does not say, there are at least four possibilities, and all of them could be true.
Probationary period: to see if she would stay around, or if she would run off again.
Habit-breaking period: Have some time to desist from bad habits.
Pregnancy: This would indicate if she was already pregnant, and if not, everyone could be certain that any future children would be his.
A Type: This is a word picture showing that Israel would have a long (400 year) period of silence of prophets from God before John the Baptist cam.
See the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1099, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1387 and the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.607 for more info.
A: There are two fulfillments.
1. During the exile, there was no temple, so there was no sacrifice. The Israelites had no king or prince, or priestly ephod. From the time of the exile on, the Jewish remnant has not been plagued by idolatry, like they were prior to the exile.
2. Ever since the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D., the Jews likewise had no sacrifice. They likewise had no king or prince, or priestly ephod either. They also do not generally practice pagan idolatry.
See 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.377,144 for more info.
7. In Hos 3:5, when is trembling good?
A: The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom according to Proverbs 1:7. God is a loving Daddy to us, but at the same time God is the most terrifying being in the universe. See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1388 for more info.
8. In Hos 3:5, how will they return to David their King?
A: Of course all knew that David had died two generations before. Hosea is juxtaposing their past obedience to David with the future obedience to the promised seed of David, which we today know to be Christ. But on the other hand, the kingship started by Jeroboam I, and the subsequent dynasties in Israel, will be swept away as worthless frauds.
Hosea 4-5 – Pay Attention Covenant Breakers! – some brief answers
1. In Hos 4:1-3, why was there no knowledge of God in the land?
A: There are three points here.
1. There was no general acknowledgement of God among God’s people. This is how the NIV translates this verse.
2. There was little knowledge of the true God, as parents and Levites were not teaching the people about the true God. Indeed, in Jeroboam’s time, many of the priests and Levites left the northern kingdom and settled in Judah. Furthermore, Jeroboam I had appointed many non-Levites as priests for his religion. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.185-186 for more info.
3. God mentions them breaking five of the Ten Commandments. If they won’t follow what they know, why would they learn more?
See the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1099 and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1389 for more info.
2. In Hos 4:2, what does “blood touches blood” mean?
A: The NIV translates this as “bloodshed follows bloodshed.” The thought here is that murder was so common that the blood was falling on the dried blood of previously murdered victims. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.184 for more info.
3. In Hos 4:6,14, why do people perish from lack of knowledge, since God judges people based on what they know in Rom 4:15, Rom 5:12, and 2 Pet 2:21?
A: These verses in Romans and 2 Peter show that God does not hold a person accountable for what was done in innocent ignorance. People cannot know if they had no opportunity to learn.
However, all ignorance is not necessarily innocent. People sometimes do not learn about God because they refuse to learn from what was available to them. There is chosen ignorance, and there is apathetic ignorance.
4. In Hos 4:7, how could they exchange their glory for something disgraceful?
A: Romans 1:21-32 shows how sinful people “perform the exchange” of God, His truth, and His righteousness, for idols and their idols, their lies, and their depravity. Sometimes people will reject an obvious truth that they dislike, and instead believe a preposterous lie more to their liking. They will reject following God and follow lifeless idols instead. See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.30-31 for more info.
5. In Hos 4:8, what is meant that some “eat up the sin of people”?
A: The NIV translates this as “feed on the sin of my people”, and either translation is very appropriate. People can feed on the sins of others in at least three ways.
Profit: Today, incredible amounts of money are made from the tobacco, liquor, and pornography industries. Lest anyone be unsure about this, our body is a temple and smoking is a sin; it is not God’s will for anyone to harm their own body, as 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 shows.
Legitimization: When others sin, people can try to justify their own sins, both in their eyes and others. They feel that their sins are less serious, as at least they are not as bad as others.
Vicarious thrill: Some delight in gossiping and hearing of others exploits, and indeed, many of the romance novels one can buy have this sin wrapped up in them.
See the New International Commentary on the Bible p.875 and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1389 for more info.
6. In Hos 4:14, why will God not punish the immoral women here?
A: God would not punish the immoral women any greater than the men with whom they were immoral. However, both will be ruined (not just disciplined) according to the last part of this verse.
7. In Hos 4:15; 5:5, why do people follow the example of others into sin?
A: Life teaches us lessons, but unfortunately we can learn the wrong lessons. If someone you admire does something, then you might be more inclined to do it. If somebody did something and it turned out well for them, at least in the short term, then you might be more inclined to do it. If somebody recommends you try something, will you try it just because they recommended it? Many times people have tunnel vision, and they focus on the single admired person that does something, and not the many others who did it and ultimately got a bad result. Everyone today knows that cigarettes, e-cigs, and drugs are bad for you and can hurt your body, but people are still persuaded to do those things anyway.
8. In Hos 4:15, 5:8, what is significance of the term “Beth Aven”, then and today?
A: This means “house of wickedness” and is a sarcastic name for the town of Bethel, which means “House of God”. Today something that used to be a place where God’s name was taught and feared can now be a place of ungodliness. Some seminaries, and some denominations have turned away from God. Just like multiplying priests in the northern kingdom only multiplied sin, multiplying ministers from these bad seminaries and churches only multiplies sin. See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1390 for more info.
9. In Hos 4:16, what is it that makes some people stubborn, and more stubborn than others?
A: There can be three overlapping reasons why they are firmly attached to a wrong thing.
a) They would feel really bad changing their beliefs; perhaps they would realize what they did up to now was all wrong.
b) They completely believe a lie, and until they realized that it is a lie, they cannot see how the new idea could be true.
c) They have decided, regardless of the facts, believe something else. Sometimes it is just an internal decision, but sometimes they know their family might leave, or they might be persecuted or killed if they change. Therefore (illogically) the new idea must be wrong. The Pharisees could not believe Jesus because they saw that they might lose their prestige. Any individual who believed Jesus could be put out of the synagogue. So even in Jesus’ time, it was an uphill battle for many to believe in Jesus.
10. In Hos 4:18, how is the Israelites’ immorality similar to sour drink?
A: Drink is usually pleasant tasting, refreshing, and healthy. Sour or spoiled drink is unpleasant, leaves you wanting good drink even more, and is unhealthy with the stomach ache lasting long after it is drunk.
11. In Hos 5:4, how do their works not permit them to return to God?
A: The KJV translates this as “frame their doings”. It can mean a combination of at least three things.
1) The sinful actions have addicted them to repeating the same sinful behavior.
2) Their sinful actions have led them to do even worse sinful actions, as Romans 1:22-31 shows.
3) Since they did those sinful actions, they approve of those who do them, as Romans 1:32 shows.
12. In Hos 5:6, why will some seek God but not find Him?
Hosea 5:4 - Their deeds which were still in their hearts (i.e. they have not repented) do not permit them to return to God. Today, some people will not come to God, because they know they have to stop doing something.
Hosea 5:5 - They are arrogant in seeking God. Besides gross arrogance, many others will only come to God on their terms, not God’s terms.
Hosea 5:7 - They are unfaithful to God. Though they celebrate the religious feasts of the Bible, God’s people had marriages contrary to God’s law and children who did not know God.
13. In Hos 5:15, why did God slowly punish Judah and Israel after giving them so many warnings?
A: A main reason for punishment was so that some of them would turn back to God and that God would restore them. Otherwise God could have destroyed all of them at once, like He did the Assyrians. See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1393 for more info.
Hosea 6-7 – How do People Return to the Lord? – some brief answers
1. In Hos 6:1 what makes a repentance shallow and temporary vs. genuine and permanent?
A: Even the most hardened criminal in jail is repentant – repentant of getting caught, that is. While all type of repentance might be sorry for past consequences and fearful of future ones, shallow repentance stops there.
True repentance is a genuine feeling of “I wish I could go back in time and not have done that”. It is making restitution where possible, for example, if you stole something and then repented, you give it back, perhaps with a little extra. It is a vow, to yourself, that you never want to do that again. It involves wanting not just to fix actions, but wanting to be changed so you won’t be that kind of person anymore. Finally, it is forgiving yourself, leaving that sin behind forever, and moving on.
In Nicea to Ephesus church times there was a formerly immoral man who had become a Christian. He saw a prostitute that he had formerly used and ignored her. She followed after him, called his name, and said “it is still the same me”. He replied, yes, “but I am not the same me.”
Remember the Lord’s graciousness.
See the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.609, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1393, and H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.36-37 for more info.
2. In Hos 6:1, how do you urge others to return to God?
A: While only God can draw them to Himself, and they, not you, have to decide to follow God, there is counsel you can give to encourage them to return to God. One way (but not the only way) to group what you can say is by the past, present, and future.
Past: Help them remember how things were before they started on that sinful path. The lack of guilt, depression, and stress. Remember how you felt about yourself.
Present: At some point you can ask how things are working out for them. What do they think God sees when God looks at their actions? Since God, angels, demons, and perhaps people in heaven can see (publicly) what you are doing, are you sure you want to be doing those things.
Future: In the end, how are you going to stand before God and explain your actions, and why you did them? Will you feel ashamed before Jesus?
3. In Hos 6:2, what is the significance of two and three days?
A: There are two views, and both might be true.
Short wrath and revival very soon: They thought God’s wrath would only be for a short period. This is the view of the New Geneva Study Bible and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1392-1393.
Allusion to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection: It might also be to put in their mind a concept future generations would experience. See the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1100 for more info.
4. In Hos 6:3, why is it important to acknowledge the Lord?
A: Let’s first see why it might have been important for them, then why some believers are reluctant to acknowledge the Lord, and finally other reasons why it is important.
For rebellious Israelites, it was important to break their allegiance to Baal worship. Archaeologists doing excavations during the divided kingdom period have not found too many artifacts showing worship of the True God; rather they have found numerous things indicating pagan worship. In fact, the situation at one point was so bad, that Elijah thought he was the only one who still worshipped God in 1 Kings 19:14. He was mistaken though; God informed him that there were 7,000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal in 1 Kings 19:18. However, 7,000 is still not very many compared to a population in Israel of one to one and a half million.
A second reason is that the Israelites might have thought they were so rebellious that God would not accept them anymore. Acknowledging Him carried with it the hope that He would be there for Him, as Hosea 6:3b suggests.
Some believers are reluctant to acknowledge God because they do not want to be labeled as a Christian. The label might entail overt persecution, such as loss of job opportunity, or possible loss of friends. But being a Christian requires courage in many ways. It also requires love, even when it hurts. You have to decide if you love the friendship more than the person, or if you love person more, to tell them about Christ.
A second reason is that some carnal Christians might want to try to “ride the fence”. They might want to be thought of a party-going, morally loose people if an opportunity for sin presents itself, but they want to still look good to others, so they do not want to commit. But they have to decide if they really want to live a life honoring God or not. There are many counterfeit Christians who do not, and they are deluding themselves in thinking they are going to heaven.
Other believers have a very different reason. sometimes believers do not want to be known as Christians because they know they are far from perfect in many ways, and they do not want to bring down the name of Christ, or be thought of as a hypocrite. So they want to keep their faith quiet “until they improve”. On one hand, none of us will ever be perfect, and on the other hand, if you know that others who are watching you know you are a Christian, that can be a secondary motif to persevere in living a moral life.
It is important to acknowledge Christ because we are to be salt and light to the world in Matthew 5:13-16, so that others would see your good deeds and praise the Father in heaven. We are to shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life for others in Philippians 2:14-16. Finally, 2 Timothy 2:12 says that if we endure we will reign with Christ, but if we disown Christ, he will disown us. See also Matthew 5:32-33.
5. In Hos 6:4, how was their faithfulness/goodness as a morning fog or dew?
A: This poetic expression was very appropriate. While fog can be dense in the morning, it does not last long under the heat of the sun. In Israel four kings were assassinated in twelve years.
See the New International Bible Commentary p.877 for more info.
6. In Hos 6:5, how did the prophets saw in two the Israelites?
A: The words of God spoken through them condemned the Israelites. God wanted the Israelites to know why they were being punished before punishing them, and the prophets told them.
7. In Hos 6:6, was Hosea against the Mosaic sacrifices?
8. In Hos 6:6, what are examples since the time of Christ where God desires mercy and not sacrifice?
A: Sacrifice here can symbolize religious observance, and mercy is helping other people in need. One example would be disobeying the law in Germany and helping the Jews during World War II. Another example would be Roger Williams getting kicked out of Massachusetts and going to live peacefully alongside the Indians in Rhode Island.
9. In Hos 6:9, why are priests described this way?
A: Literally they might have been committing crimes. But spiritually, if they were encouraging the people to follow false gods, or else mix worship of idols with worship of the true God, they were spiritual marauders, who from their city of refuge snuck up to people unawares to harm them spiritually.
H.A. Ironside says in The Minor Prophets p.38 “Who can fail to see the same ungodly conditions developing now in so-called Protestantism? The open debauchery of the well-named “Dark Ages” has been checked by the light of an open Bible, which has made men ashamed of that in which they once dared to revel-the darkness and ignorance of Romanism in medieval times. But now Satan’s supreme effort is to poison the minds of men by the unholy speculations of infidel clerics, who give free reign to the filthiness of the spirit and use the positions as “leaders of Christian thought” to enrich themselves while starving the true flock of Christ and poisoning those who, while bearing the name of Christians, are destitute of divine grace! Terrible must be the end when false religion is judged in the day of the Lord’s anger!”
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1393 and the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.609 for more info.
10. In Hos 7:6, why does it say “their bakers”?
A: The Hebrew Masoretic text says “their baker” while the Septuagint says “Ephraim”. The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 7 p.19 says “their bakers” makes more sense as a baker's fire was so hot he could sleep all night without feeding the fire, and not be afraid of it going out. Also, When an oven is warming up, nothing is apparently being accomplished, but when the oven has finally reached its temperature, then the baking starts. Sometimes things appear to not be happening, but the stage is being set for things to happen soon.
Also, when a baker is baking bread, just a little leaven leavens the whole lump according to 1 Corinthians 5:6 and Galatians 5:9. That is the way the leaven of idolatry and the leaven of disobedience work.
See the New International Bible Commentary p.877 H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.40 for more info.
11. In Hos 7:7, what was the sin of devouring all their judges and kings?
A: There are two aspects to this.
Specific kings: The northern kingdom was marked by assassination and revolt.
General view of authority: The numerous killings of kings was a symptom of their general lack of respect for authority. People who lack respect for outward authority often have a lack of respect for their conscience and moral authority too.
12. In Hos 7:8, what is the meaning of the analogy of the cake?
A: They were “two-sided”. Despite the fact that on average it is OK, a cake burned on one side and raw on the other is only good to be thrown away. The people were mixed with the idolators. As H.A. Ironside said, if you put a canary in a cage with sparrows to teach them to sing, the sparrows will only keep chirping away, drowning out the canary.
See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.42 and The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.198 for more info.
13. In Hos 7:16, what is so bad about a faulty bow?
A: Bows were one of the premier weapons of the time. Soldiers don’t have bows or weapons they will not go out to fight. But if they have bows they think they can trust in, go out to fight, and the bows don’t work, that is much, much worse than having no bow at all. See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1396 for more info.
Hosea 8-10 – Apostasy and Recompense – some brief answers
1. In Hos 8:2 how do people say that they know God, when they do not?
A: They claimed to believe God but it was only a pretense. They could not speak of loyalty to God, if they were serving idols also. In Hosea 8:5 the Hebrew has “The Lord has rejected your calf”, but the Septuagint has “Throw out your calf”. According to The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1396-1397. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.201 says it means “your calf stinks”. Of course if they rejected their calf, they would have to reject their religious heritage going back to Jeroboam I in 1 Kings 12:28.
2. In Hos 8:4, what was wrong with setting up kings, but not by God?
A: Two points to consider in the answer.
1. The original division of the northern and southern kingdoms was (reluctantly) approved by God in 1 Kings 11:11-13, 11:29-39, 12:22-24.
2. The succession of kings in the northern kingdom was marked by bloodshed.
a. Baasha became king by killing Nadab and Jeroboam’s whole family (1 Kings 15:27-29).
b. Zimri became king by killing Elah (1 Kings 16:9-10)
c. Zimri burned himself to death before Omri could kill him (1 Kings 16:16-18).
d. Omri’s followers killed Tibni to become King (1 Kings 16:21-22).
e. Joram and Jezebel (2 Kings 9:22-24,30). God sanctioned this revolt, though.
f. In Judah, Athaliah killed all the royal family except for Joash. (2 Kings 11:1-2).
g. In Israel, Shallum assassinated King Zechariah (2 Kings 15:10).
h. Menahem killed Shallum (2 Kings 15:13-14).
i. Pekah assassinated Pekahiah (2 Kings 15:23,25).
3. In Hos 8:7, how did they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind?
A: When you sow a sin, you can reap the consequences. Over course, consequences can include sinning even more. Over time, the consequences can grow to be greater than the original sin. In addition, when a very strong wind goes over a ripe grain field, it can blow away the good grown on top, leaving everything else, which is now worthless. See the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.611 for more info.
4. In Hos 8:8, what is a pottery vessel that has no pleasure?
A: Some pots are artistic, and some pottery holds valuable myrrh or spices. However, some pots served as toilets, an ignoble use. However, her might mean that some pots were made defective or so poorly that they could not be used for anything at all. Some people, by going their own way, have reached the point where they are not useful for anything. See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.44-45 for more info.
5. In Hos 8:13 and Hos 9:3, why would they return to Egypt?
A: God is not saying He desires them to return to Egypt. Rather, God is foretelling they will be so disobedient that they will leave the land and go back to Egypt. You can read the sordid details in Jeremiah 41:46 - 44:30. See When Critics Ask p.299-300 for more info on them never being captives in Egypt again, yet they were “returning to Egypt in their hearts” for both aid and idol worship. God can free people from bondage, however, they can chose to turn back and return to slavery again. See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1397 for more info.
6. In Hos 9:7-17, why were these religious leaders treated this way?
A: These were true prophets who were treated with hostility by the people. These religious leaders were teaching them correctly, but the people considered them fools. The NIV and NRSV translations bring this out. The NIV Study Bible, the New Geneva Study Bible, and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1399 also give this interpretation.
Today people will criticize or shun leaders who warn them of their sin, but flock to those who make them feel good.
7. In Hos 10:1, how does an empty vine bring forth fruit to itself?
A: This is a sharp contrast to Psalm 80, where God had planted Israel as a fruitful vine. , Jeremiah 2:21 and Ezekiel 10:10-11 show that it would change. A fruitless vine provides nourishment for the vine, but no nourishment for seeds in grapes for others or to make another vine. Likewise, some people order their lives to benefit themselves with no benefit for others or glory to God. In the last five years, how have you tried to give life and nourishment to others?
See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.53 and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1400 for more info.
8. In Hos 10:2, how can a heart be “divided” (NKJV, KJV) “deceitful” (NIV), or “false” (NRSV)?
A: A heart can appear loyally devoted to one thing, and yet devoted to a contradictory thing too. James 1:8 describes this unfortunate kind of person a “double-minded” and says they should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Human beings are rational (at least on the surface), but yet they can be full of inconsistencies.
See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.54 for more info.
9. In Hos 10:3, why would the Israelites say in the future that they had no king because they did not revere the Lord?
A: The Israelites asked Samuel to ask God for a king in 1 Samuel 8. God was displeased with this, but reluctantly granted them a king. They would associate having their own king was independence. In Hosea’s time the Israelites had a king. However, from the time the Babylonians took control of Judah, the Jews would never have a king again until the time of the Maccabees. After that short period, they would never have another king again, until Christ comes again and reigns over all. May we never be so satisfied that we fail to seek the Lord (see Proverbs 30:8-9). Or, keep your eye on the prize and don’t compromise.
10. In Hos 10:14, who are Shalman and the town of Beth-arbel?
A: Shalman could be Shalmaneser V of Assyria 727 B.C., but it more likely refers to the king of Moab, who was named Salamanu. See the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1102 for more info. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1402 says that Salamanu lived at the same time as Hosea and was mentioned in the tribute list of Tiglath-Pileser III.
Beth-Arbel (House of Arbel) could be the town of Arbela in Jordan, 18 miles (29 kilometers) southeast of the Sea of Galilee according to Eusebius. Alternately, it could be modern Arbel, 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) west of the Sea of Galilee (1 Maccabees 9:2)
Hosea 11-12 – Even in Wrath God Has Mercy – some brief answers
1. In Hos 11:1, how did God call His son out of Egypt?
A: Jacob, who was renamed Israel, went down to Egypt and he died there. While his bones were taken out of Egypt (Genesis 48:29-30; 49:29-50:14), that is not the main point here. In 430 years, Israel went from being a man with twelve sons to a great nation of over a million people. As in other places, Hosea juxtaposes the life of the man Israel and the life of the nation of Israel. For a second example of juxtaposition, Hosea’s wife and children were to be symbols of Israel’s relationship with God. This was also a type of Jesus, whom this prophecy is applied to in Matthew 2:15. See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1402, the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.11-3, the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.613, and H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.57 for more info.
2. In Hos 11:1-2, how is God like a parent whose children want nothing to do with Him?
A: God brought the Israelites out of Egypt with mighty miracles. Yet, the later forgot what God did and went after other gods. If anyone has a child that turns away from their parent, God knows your pain. God had a similar thing happen to Him, and He understands the heartbreak. See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.58 for more info.
3. In Hos 11:4, how does God give us gentle cords?
A: The image is of an owner of an ox tying the yoke of the yolk away from her mouth so that she can eat easier. Cords can tie away problems and keep good things close to us. See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1402 for more info.
4. In Hos 11:8, what is the point of Admah and Zeboiim?
A: After this great destruction of Ephraim (the Northern Kingdom) is conquered, God follows with this. Admah and Zeboiim were two insignificant villages destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah. Rather than being insignificant and destroyed forever, God is saying He loves them and will preserve those who come back to Him.Hosea 11:8-12 are like a window into the heart of God, and how God will never let them go. See H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets 58-59, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1403, the New International Bible Commentary p.880, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.214, and the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.614 for more info.
5. In Hos 12:1, what does the metaphor of the east wind mean?
A: The Sirocco was a dry, hot desert wind from the east. Chasing the wind is pointless. But not only was it worthless for bringing rain, it blew seeds from crops and made other things worthless too. God will punish Jacob according to his ways, that is, Jacob’s ways, in Hosea 12:2. As the Israelites made their religious worthless, worthless things will come back to haunt them. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.216 and H.A. Ironside’s The Minor Prophets p.61 for more info.
6. In Hos 12:3, how did Israel grasp his brother’s heel?
A: The man Jacob, renamed Israel, did so in Genesis 25:26. The Israelite nation can from Jacob. Here as elsewhere in Hosea, God juxtaposes the life of the individual and the life of the nation. See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1404 for more info.
7. In Hos 12:5, what does it mean that the Lord is his memorial?
A: The NKJV translates this as “His memorable name”. God’s divine name is a memorial for people to remember, according to Exodus 3:15.
8. In Hos 12:7, does the Hebrew word mean “merchant” or “Canaanite”?
The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 7 p.217 says the word is “literally” Canaanite, but it was used as a putdown to describe a person as a not-so-honest merchant. See also the Believer’s Bible Commentary p.1103 for more info.
However, the context of Hosea 12 is clearly talking about merchants, not Canaanites. This shows some of the challenges of translation. The literal word has one clear meaning, and it is commonly used with a secondary meaning, and here the context is obviously the secondary meaning. So, the other translations translated the intended meaning of the verse, and the NKJV translated the primary meaning of the word, with a footnote of the intended meaning.
See the New International Bible Commentary p.881 for more info.
9. In Hos 12:11, what is wrong with sacrificing bulls at Gilgal?
A: This was a solemn religious practice that was totally disobedient to God. The sacrifices were only to be done in Jerusalem, not in a city in the northern kingdom. There are religious practices that are displeasing to God. In other words, it is better to do nothing than to do those practices. Similarly, there is toxic spirituality, where no spirituality is better than spirituality towards things that are not from God.
10. In Hos 12:12, what does it mean that Israel served for a wife?
A: The patriarch Jacob, who was renamed Israel, served Laman seven years each for his wives Leah and Rachel. In Hosea, as well as other parts of the Bible, the history of the people and individual history often are juxtaposed together.
Hosea 13-14 – The Lord is Watching – some brief answers
1. In Hos 13:2, what does it mean to kiss the calves?
A: While calves were used in Baal worship, that is not the main point here. Hosea wrote during the time of Jeroboam, and it was Jeroboam who first introduced the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. This is significant, because while people committed idolatry prior to Jeroboam, Jeroboam institutionalized this worship, Jeroboam did this so the people living in the northern Kingdom would not go to Jerusalem anymore. You can read about this in 1 Kings 12:25-33.
2. In Hos 13:1-2, what are some examples of how does a once-mighty nation, people, or organization falls and become no more?
A: Nineveh was one of the earliest cities in the Mideast. But after the fall of the Assyrian Empire, both Nineveh and Assyria fell, never to rise again. Babylon took its place in power, but it was never independent after the Persians took over. In later times the Italian Colonnae family produced popes and selected popes. However, Pope Boniface VIII in 1298 had his army exterminate the entire Italian town of Palestrina, where the Colonna family lived, after the Pope had assured the town he would spare them if they surrendered. We can look at the Mongol Empire and remark that the bigger they are, the harder they fall. See also the Evangelical Commentary on the Bible p.615 for more info.
3. In Hos 13:8, what does “bereaved of her whelps” mean?
A: There are differences and similarities in how lions, leopards, and bears kill. This expression speaks of a mother bear whose cubs were taken from her. One would not want to meet a mother bear whose cubs were taken away, especially if the bear suspected you might have been the one that took them away. A mother bear will typically attack anything, regardless of size, that moves between here and her cubs. She will stop attacking and look for the cubs if the cubs move out of sight. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.220-221 for more info.
A: In 1 Samuel 8:6-20; 12:20-21 the people asked for a king, and God through Samuel told them they really would not want a king, who will take the best o the fields and make some of their sons and daughters as servants. But they insisted on being like the other nations around them, so God reluctantly gave them a king. Sometimes we can ask for something, and God says no and closes the door. But we can still insist anyway, and try to force open a door that God has closed, and God might just turn around, look at our attitude and give us what we ask for, to our eventual sorrow. See The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol.7 p.221 for more info.
5. In Hos 13:14, is this a clear indication of belief in the afterlife?
A: Yes. According to Hebrew scholar Walter Kaiser in Hard Sayings of the Bible p.325, “The first part of this verse has no sign of an interrogative, and therefore I understand it as one of the most beautiful gospel promises in the Old Testament.” The same Hebrew word is translated as “where” in Hosea 13:10. On page 326 he says, “God can and will ransom them from the power of the grave. He can deliver them even after death has done its worst.” Paul also quotes Hosea 13:14 in 1 Corinthians 15:55.
6. In Hos 14:1-2, can a once-mighty nation, people or organization, that is about to fall ever come back and revive, and if so how?
A: Yes, politically this when the people turned back to God in the book of Judges. An even greater example of this was when the Kingdom of Judah was wiped out by the Babylonians, after 70 years they returned, and idolatry was no longer a problem for the remnant who returned. In later history numerous times with the Byzantine Empire was close to disintegration due to internal conflict, but it revived.
7. In Hos 14:3, what is the point of Asshur will not save us, we will not ride on horses?
A: As Hosea does elsewhere, there are two thoughts here, and the combination is intended.
In general, the Assyrians were a rising power from about a century before this time. They had many horses, but even Assyria’s military might would not save Israel. In fact, Assyria would be the enemy who would come and utterly destroy the northern kingdom of Israel.
Specifically, when the Assyrians came to Jerusalem, they made this offer in 2 Kings 18:23 “Come now, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses - if you can put riders on them! How can you repulse one officer of the least of my master’s officials,…” (NIV).
8. In Hos 13:7, 14:8, what is unusual about this word “cares for / watch”?
A: This same word, that means carefully watch over, in a different context can mean “lurk to pounce on” (like a leopard).
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.1406 for more info.
9. In Hos 14:9, in summary what are “the ways of the Lord” that the wise understand?
A: A few points are that God’s ways are right. God is severe and also very kind. God is watching over everyone, one way or another.
See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : New Testament p.1407 for more info.
Extra notes
Hosea could have the title of When Life’s a Mess
by Steven M. Morrison, PhD.
Hosea – The Agony of God’s Heart
vs. C.W. Lewis
Arrogance: singing in the shower at the gym
Unclear on the concept looking for rats
Child sacrifice was practiced in worshipping the god Molech according to Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5; 2 Kings 23:10. However it was also done in Baal worship according to Jeremiah 32:35.