Study 2 From The Books
of Hosea
Is: Hosea 2
- The adulterer seeks satisfaction
in unlawful relationship; the harlot debases high possessions for material
gain. How does Hosea show that this is what Israel has done in relation to
the Lord Himself?
- What promise is given in verses
14:23 of the final triumph of God’s love? How is it to be achieve? Does
this chapter in any way illustrate the conduct and the one sure hope of
God’s people today?
Notes:
- Verse 5. ‘My livers’: a reference to
the local gods of the land (or ‘the baals’, verse 13), whom the Israelites
in their backsliding conceived to be the givers of nourishment (‘bread and
water’), clothing (‘wool and flax’)
and joy (‘oil and drink’), and to
whom accordingly they offered worship (verse 13).
- Verses 14, 15. The Israelites, after
leaving Egypt, wandered in the wilderness, and entered the Promised Land
by the valley of Achor. Now they shall again be brought into the
wilderness (i,e. the exile), but after this time of affliction, they shall
return to Canaan, and will find the valley of Achor, not as at the first,
a place of trouble (Jos. 7:24), but a door of hope, Cf. Is. 65:10.
- Verses 18-23. A beautiful picture of peace (verse 18),
communion with the Lord (verses 19, 20), and abounding blessing (verses
21-23). Jezreel, which means ‘God
sows’ is used in verse 22 as a name of Israel.
