Chapter Summary

The voice of the remnant of Israel in the last days. Jehovah's response.

Discussion Questions for Hosea, Chapter 6

1. Hosea 6:1 presents an image of a people that have been broken by the Lord, but then healed by that same Lord, making them a more complete people. Has there been a time in your life when something similar has happened?
2. Do you actually strive to know the Lord? (verse 3) What would it look like for you to strive to know the Lord with the amount of effort that He desires?
3. To a Christian, verse 2 looks like a prophecy about Christ's resurrection. That is a valid interpretation, and we should look for Christ within the Old Testament, but this was written well before Christ was born. What would have this meant to an ancient Israelite before Christ's birth?
4. In verses 1-3, Hosea is calling us to repent from our sin. What do you need to turn away from today? How can you stay in a "mode" of repentance after today?
5. What is God's accusation against Ephraim and Judah? Imagine you were in a relationship with a similar kind of "love." How would you respond? How does God respond?
6. Does God's use of the prophets show his love for Israel? Why or why not?
7. Christians do not present burnt offerings to the Lord like the Israelites did in the Old Testament. What timeless principle can we learn from verse 6? How will this change your walk with Christ this week?
8. Think back to previous chapters. What covenant are the people guilty of breaking? What measures can you take to prevent a similar situation in your own life?
9. Verse 9 paints an image of a band of priests, God's representatives to the people, roaming around like murderous raiders. If God's leaders of the people are doing this, how do you think the regular people are behaving? What options does God have?
10. "A harvest is also appointed for you Judah" Hosea 6:11a (CSB). God's focus in this book is on Israel, or the northern kingdom. Judah, the southern kingdom, with its capital Jerusalem, will soon have judgement on them too. God will one day judge each of us, no matter where or who we are. Are you prepared for that? How do you know?

Key Words/Phrase

Return, v. 1.

Characters

God.

Strong Verse(s)

1, 3, 6.