Minor Prophets (Part 3)

Minor Prophets (Part 3)
The Cycle of Israel (Hosea 13:4-14:4): Blessing → Complacency → Rebellion → Warning → Judgment/Exile → Repentance → Restoration → Blessing

God’s Indictments:
1. There is no truth, no faithful love, and no knowledge of God in the land (Hosea 4:1)
2. They are breaking God’s law (Hosea 4:2)

God’s Passive & Active Judgments (Hosea 4:3)

God’s Indictments Against the Priests (Hosea 4:4-8)

Israel’s “Spirit of Promiscuity” (4:9-19)
1. Fickle Love (Hosea 6:4-6)
2. Stubborn (Hosea 4:16-17, 5:11, 7:13-14)
3. Arrogant (Hosea 5:3-5, 7:10, 12:8, 13:6)
4. Apathetic (Hosea 8:12)
5. Without Shame (Hosea 4:18)

God’s Possible Responses:
1. Passive Judgment
2. Active Judgment
3. Redemption

Christ is the True Bridegroom - buying back His Church by the cost of His own blood (Hosea 3:1-5, Eph. 5:25)

Return to the Lord and be blessed! (Hosea 10:12)

TAG Questions

1. Look closely at a USA coin or bill. What do the phrases on it mean to you?
2. How does a created thing slowly usurp our exclusive worship of the LORD, our Creator?
3. What things in your life receive the most time and love? Why?

Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Look closely at a USA coin or bill. What do the phrases on it mean to you?
2. How does a created thing slowly usurp our exclusive worship of the LORD, our Creator?
3. What things in your life receive the most time and love? Why?
4. Read Hosea 4 together as a group and use the insights in that chapter to answer questions 2 & 3 again from Israel’s perspective.
5. What is the difference between being thankful and stewarding well a gift or blessing from God vs making that gift into an idol?
6. Where would you estimate the USA is on the continuum from full devotion to God vs full devotion to idols? (hint: consider where Americans spend their greatest time, money, and attention)
7. Take time as a group to pray and repent on behalf of our nation, church, and family.