Bible Studies, Inspired by Faith and Science

This week we'll reach the end of our trip through Hosea. I'm not even sure what happens next in the Bible Study series, but I'm looking forward to preparing next week's entry. Meanwhile, here's a man in a historical world, living in a land once famed for luxury and power. His great nation now faces threats from enemies it once imagined were weak. Leaders vie for the right to decide where the best alliances lie. Sound familiar? (14) Hosea’s Lament Some history to start with: Read Hosea 7:7. Do you remember what happened to Israel’s kings? When do you think Hosea was writing this – before or after the kings fell? Read 2 Kings 15:29-30, 17:4, Hosea 5:13, 14:3. Hoshea led a pro-Assyrian rebellion, but switched his allegiance to Egypt after the death of the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser (727BC). Read Hosea 7:11,16. Hosea warns this alliance won’t help either. The Assyrian king Shalmaneser V attacks, imprisons Hoshea ( 2 Kings 17:3-4, 18:9) , and begins the ...

Our study of prophets moves on to Hosea now. His ministry overlaps with that of Amos, so it's interesting to see a different emphasis in his preaching. I'm looking forward to sharing the study with our group, and I hope you'll enjoy it too. (12) What’s in a name? Hosea The Talmud calls Hosea the greatest prophet of his generation. He was a Northern Israelite – the only native Israelite prophet to leave a written legacy. He preached at the same time as Amos, during a period of deceptive ease as the Assyrians begin to take over the neighborhood. Amos preached mostly against oppression, injustice, poverty and other social ills. What do you remember about Hosea, and what theme do you expect to find reflected in his teaching? The characters in the book of Hosea frequently have meaningful names. Even Hosea’s name means something. Read Numbers 13:8,16. 1.        Can you imagine how Hosea is changed into Joshua? ( Hint, add Je...) 2.   ...