Chapter Summary

Israel, Jehovah's dishonored wife, repudiated, but to be restored.

Discussion Questions for Hosea, Chapter 1

1. Why is Hosea commanded to marry a woman of whoredom? Why is the metaphor of idolatry as adultery used? How does it establish a deeper understanding of God's covenant?
2. What does God's command to Hosea tell him about who he is to marry? Why is it important to distinguish between whoredom and prostitution? How does understanding Gomer's sin affect the narrative?
3. Notice the language used to describe the conception of the children. How does the syntax used to describe their first child contrast the language used to describe the other two children? Why is this significant?
4. Read 1 Kings 21. What is significant about the Valley of Jezreel? Why is God drawing on this event to describe His judgement?
5. What is the significance of the name “No Mercy”? How does this prophetic name hold significance to both Hosea's paternity and God's covenant people? How can we view this in light of the New Covenant?
6. What is the immediate significance of the name “Not My People”? How does this bring more understanding to the broken covenant? (Exodus 6:7)
7. What does verse 7 tell us about the way that God will bring restoration to His people? How can we view this salvation in light of the New Covenant?
8. Why does God say “the number of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea”? What covenant is He drawing from? Why is this significant for us as God's covenant people? (Genesis 22:17)
9. God clarifies His restoration as “in the place where it was said to them” as a reference to His promise at Sinai. Why is it important that they are met under these circumstances? What does this tell us about God's call to repentance?
10. In what ways are we like Gomer? In what ways are we like the children? How does this affect how we view our sin and God's relationship with us as His people?

Key Words/Phrase

Israel — whoredom, v. 2.

Characters

God, Hosea, Uzziah, Hezekiah, Jeroboam, Gomer, Jezreel, Jehu, Lo-ruhamah, Lo-ammi.

Strong Verse(s)

10