The Bible OverBrew - Bible in a YearSample

Week 24. Day 1. Hosea 1-7.

Introduction to the Minor Prophets (the 12)

The books of Hosea-Malachi are often known as the minor prophets, not because they are less important, but because they are shorter than Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. But they are also known as ‘The Twelve’ because they were often read together and would be written on one scroll. As you read, you may notice that often the beginning of one book picks up words and themes from the end of the previous one. Across all twelve books there may be something of a development as a whole:

• Hosea-Micah: focus more on sin
• Nahum, Hab and Zeph: focus more on punishment
• Hagg, Zech, Malachi: focus more on restoration

In the notes that follow we will focus on one main theme that unites many of the books: ‘the day of the Lord’—a coming day of judgment—and also notice prophecies that are important for the New Testament.

Hosea 1-7

Hos 1-3 Analogy between Israel’s unfaithfulness and Hosea’s marriage

God’s covenant with Israel at Sinai was like a marriage covenant, and Jeremiah has already picked up on imagery of marital unfaithfulness to describe Israel’s sin. Here in Hosea, Hosea’s own marriage becomes an illustration of this.

Ch1 - Summary.

• What is the bad news here? (See names of children in v6 and v8)
• What is the good news?

Ch 2 Israel’s unfaithfulness in more detail

• How does Israel describe her lovers (v5)? Why is this an offence to God?
• What is the purpose of God’s judgment (v7)
• What will happen after judgment? (14-23)
• 
  

Hosea 4 onwards Focus on the behaviour of Israel

How is Israel’s sin described? Look for sins against God, and sins in society.

5:14-15. What will God’s response be? How long will this judgment last?

6:1-3 Probably the words of Hosea (that at this stage they don’t listen to)

• How is God’s judgment of exile described here?
• What is the hope?

Note that here God promises that the nation will be resurrected on the third day!

NOTE: Days 1-5 of each week contain the scripture reading for that week. Day 6 has just the 'key chapters'. If you want a briefer version of this plan that still takes you through the whole Bible, you could just read the key chapters featured on day 6. Day 7 has the podcast video where we discuss the week's reading.