Study together · The Cast

Hosea

A prophet told to love an unfaithful wife, so Israel could see how God loves them.

The story

1. Told to marry Hos 1:2-3

   God tells him to marry Gomer, a woman who will be unfaithful, as a picture of Israel.

2. Children named as warnings Hos 1:4-9

   Their children are named Jezreel, No Mercy, and Not My People.

3. She leaves Hos 2:2-13

   Gomer goes after other lovers. Hosea's grief becomes God's own words about Israel.

4. Buying her back Hos 3:1-3

   God says go again, love her. He buys her back for silver and barley.

5. I will heal Hos 14:1-9

   He ends with God's promise to heal their faithlessness and love them freely.

Key verses

“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice” Hosea 6:6 (ESV)

Read together: Hos 1:2-3 · Hos 1:4-9 · Hos 2:2-13 · Hos 3:1-3 · Hos 14:1-9

Questions to sit with

1. When have you been loved after you had wandered? What did it do to you?
2. Hosea's hardest obedience was in his own home. Where is God's call closest to home for you?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission.