The Bible Study Reading PlanSample

HOSEA

AUTHOR:

The book of Hosea was written by a man named Hosea, a citizen of the northern kingdom, Israel.

DATE:
Hosea states that his ministry took place during the reigns of Jeroboam II, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, making it around 755-715 BC. He most likely wrote this prophecy torwards the end of his ministry.

CONTEMPORARY PROPHETS:

Jonah around 770-750 BC and Amos around 755 BC

AUDIENCE:

The book of Hosea was heavily directed towards the ten tribes in the north who were under the impression that they could "do life on their own" without the help of God.

REASON:

Hosea wrote this illustration as a cry of repentance towards the nation of Israel.

THEME:
God's faithfulness to the covenant even when His people fall away.

KEY VERSE:
"I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one.' I will say to those called 'Not my people,' 'You are my people'; and they will say, 'You are my God'" (2:23 NIV)

SPLIT:
Marriage of Hosea and Gomer (1-3), Marriage of the Lord and Israel (4-14)

KEY WORDS:
Adultery, Return, Sin, Covenant