You’re invited to our new series in the book of Hosea called “Boundless Love!”
Series: Boundless Love (Hosea)
Bible Book: Hosea, 1st of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament
DESCRIPTION: Are you a fan of love stories? How about this one: a guy marries a prostitute and she breaks his heart. He takes her back again and she does it again. This true story is also the story of God’s love for us. His love for you and me is not logical. Join us as we discover God’s Boundless love from the book of Hosea. It’s a love for each of us and a love to share with our community.
Dates Titles (Chapters) Events
Aug. 6 Crazy Love (Hosea 1) Communion
Aug. 13 Redeeming Love (Hosea 2-3)
Aug. 20 Boundless Love (Hosea 11-14)
Introduction:
GROOMSMEN stand at attention as the music swells and the bride begins her long walk down the aisle, arm in arm with her father. The smiling, but nervous, husband-to-be follows every step, his eyes brimming with love. Then happy tears are shed, vows stated, and families merged. A wedding is a joyous celebration of love. It is the holy mystery of two becoming | one, of beginning life together, and of commitment. Marriage is ordained by God and illustrates his relationship with his people. Thus, there is perhaps no greater tragedy than the violation of those sacred vows.
God told Hosea to find a wife and revealed to him ahead of time that she would be unfaithful to him. Although she would bear many children, some of these offspring would be fathered by others. In obedience to God, Hosea married Gomer. His relationship with her, her adultery, and their children became living, prophetic examples to Israel.
The book of Hosea is a love story—real, tragic, and true. Transcending the tale of young man and wife, it tells of God’s love for his people and the response of his “bride.” A covenant had been made, and God had been faithful. His love was steadfast, and his commitment unbroken. But Israel, like Gomer, was adulterous and unfaithful, spurning God’s love and turning instead to false gods. Then after warning of judgment, God reaffirmed his love and offered reconciliation. His love and mercy were overflowing, but justice would be served.
The book begins with God’s marriage instructions to Hosea. After Hosea’s marriage, children were born, and each given a name signifying a divine message (chapter 1). Then, as predicted, Gomer left Hosea to pursue her lusts (chapter 2). But Hosea (whose name means “salvation”) found her, redeemed her, and brought her home again, fully reconciled (chapter 3). Images of God’s love, judgment, grace, and mercy were woven into their relationship. Next, God outlined his case against the people of Israel: Their sins would ultimately cause their destruction (chapters 4; 6-7; 12) and would rouse his anger, resulting in punishment (chapters 5; 8-10; 12-13). But even in the midst of Israel’s immorality, God was merciful and offered hope, expressing his infinite love for his people (chapter 11) and the fact that their repentance would bring about blessing (chapter 14).
The book of Hosea dramatically portrays our God’s constant and persistent love. As you read this book, watch the prophet submit himself willingly to his Lord’s direction; grieve with him over the unfaithfulness of his wife and his people; and hear the clear warning of judgment. Then reaffirm your commitment to being God’s person, faithful in your love and true to your vows.
Vital Statistics
Purpose: To illustrate God’s love for his sinful people
Author: Hosea son of Beeri (“Hosea” means “salvation”)
Original Audience: The people of Israel (the northern kingdom)
Date Written: Approximately 715 B.C., recording events from about 753-715 B.C.
Setting: Hosea began his ministry during the end of the prosperous but morally declining reign of Jeroboam II of Israel (the upper classes were doing well, but they were oppressing the poor). He prophesied until shortly after the fall of Samaria in 722 B.C.
Key Verse: “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them‘” (3:1).
Key People: Hosea, Gomer, their children
Key Places: The northern kingdom (Israel), Samaria, Ephraim
Special Features: Hosea employs many images from daily life: God is depicted as husband, lion, leopard, bear, dew, rain, moth, and others; Israel is pictured as wife, sick person, vine, grapes, early fruit, olive tree, woman in childbirth, oven, morning mist, chaff, and smoke, to name a few.
The Blueprint
- HOSEA’S WAYWARD WIFE (1:1-3:5)
Hosea was commanded by God to marry a woman who would be unfaithful to him and would cause him many heartaches. Just as Gomer lost interest in Hosea and ran after other lovers, we, too, can easily lose appreciation for our special relationship with God and pursue dreams and goals that do not include him. When we compromise our Christian lifestyles and adopt the ways of the world, we are being unfaithful.
- GOD’S WAYWARD PEOPLE (4:1-14:9)
- Israel’s sinfulness
- Israel’s punishment
- God’s love for Israel
God wanted the people in the northern kingdom to turn from their sin and return to worshiping him alone, but they persisted in their wickedness. Throughout the book, Israel is described as ignorant of God, with no desire to please him. Israel did not understand God at all, just as Gomer did not understand Hosea. Like a loving husband or patient father, God wants people to know him and to turn to him daily.
| MEGATHEMES | ||
| THEME | EXPLANATION | IMPORTANCE |
| The Nation’s Sin | Just as Hosea’s wife, Gomer, was unfaithful to him, so the nation of Israel had been unfaithful to God. Israel’s idolatry was like adultery. They sought illicit relationships with Assyria and Egypt in pursuit of military might, and they mixed Baal worship with the worship of God. | Like Gomer, we can chase after other loves—love of power, pleasure, money, or recognition. The temptations in this world can be very seductive. Are we loyal to God, remaining completely faithful, or have other loves taken his rightful place? |
| God’s Judgment | Hosea solemnly warned Judah against following Israel’s example. Because Judah broke the covenant, turned away from God, and forgot her Maker, she experienced a devastating invasion and exile. Sin has terrible consequences. | Disaster surely follows ingratitude toward God and rebellion. The Lord is our only true refuge. If we harden our hearts against him, there is no safety or security anywhere else. We cannot escape God’s judgment. |
| God’s Love | Just as Hosea went after his unfaithful wife to bring her back, so the Lord pursues us with his love. His love is tender, loyal, unchanging, and undying. No matter what, God still loves us. | Have you forgotten God and become disloyal to him? Don’t let prosperity diminish your love for him or let success blind you to your need for his love. |
| Restoration | Although God will discipline his people for sin, he encourages and restores those who have repented. True repentance opens the way to a new beginning. God forgives and restores. | There is still hope for those who turn back to God. No loyalty, achievement, or honor can be compared to loving him. Turn to the Lord while the offer is still good. No matter how far you have strayed, God is willing to forgive you. |
Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos
Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church
Source: Life Application Study Bible.
Upwards Church 
Readers are enticed to explore the text’s depths of limitless love, grace, and atonement by dkoop’s elegant words and captivating writing style. For those looking for spiritual enlightenment, this introduction serves as an enthralling glimpse of the transforming discoveries that lie ahead.