[CS-FSLUG] TD: CS-BibleStudy: Hosea Chapter 1

[Ed Hurst]

  > Study Questions:
> 1.) Why do you suppose that God wanted Hosea to live out, symbolically,  
> the problems of Israel by marrying an adulterous wife and having  
> unfaithful children (other prophets didn't have to do this!)?

In part, this is the substance of Hebrew language and culture. The very 
words often sound like the thing named, or the thing done. While Hosea's 
act was humanly foolish, and normally a violation of God's will for His 
servants, he had direct orders from God. Hosea's travail portrays richly 
what God was feeling about His experience with His bride, Israel.

> 2.) God says the people aren't His people but then, in verse 10  
> indicates that will change and the people will become known as "Sons of  
> the living God." What do you think this return to a relationship to God  
> will be?

[flame suit on] God declares that the covenant relationship is stretched 
to the breaking point. Very soon, He will disown His people, then 
reconsitute His people on a wholly different basis, with a New Covenant. 
Rather than mere Servants of God, they would be true Children of God by 
the blood of Jesus. The meaning behind the term "God's People" would 
change completely -- no longer a race or nation of people, but a whole 
new kind of humanity. "Jew" will cease to have any meaning in that context.

> 3.) Judah and Israel/Samara never reunified.  Yet this passage promises  
> reunification. Do you think this refers symbolically to the removal of  
> separation through faith in Jesus in the future (for them) or perhaps  
> something still in the future -- perhaps an end times reunification?

Samaria was probably less than 5% left-over Jewish blood, and their 
version of worship was wholly apostate. Yet, in the Blood of Jesus, they 
would be admitted to the New Kingdom. Samaritans can be Christians today.

> 4.) Before starting study in Hosea, do you have any preexisting  
> feelings toward this book of the Bible?

Too many to reveal here.

-- 
Ed Hurst
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