Hosea 2: Group Study Handout

Overview

Yahweh instructs to say to Israel, ‘My people!’ and ‘My loved one!’ (vv. 1-2). He speaks of a wife who is not faithful. Israel’s unfaithfulness leads to severe consequences. She is warned that Yahweh will strip her bare and leave her in thirst (vv. 3-5). He will block her path to false lovers (vv. 6-10). Her celebrations will cease, and her crops will be destroyed (vv. 11-13). Yet Yahweh promises to allure her into the wilderness and speak tenderly (vv. 14-17). He will make a new covenant of peace, bringing safety and betrothing her in righteousness (vv. 18-20). Yahweh will respond to Israel, and the land will respond to the people (vv. 21-23). He will show mercy and declare that those not His people are now His people.

Key verse

“I will even betroth you to me in faithfulness; and you shall know Yahweh.”

Hosea 2:20 (WEB)

Outline

1. Hosea 2:1–2 Addressing Israel as Adulterous Wife
2. Hosea 2:3–5 Consequences of Unfaithfulness
3. Hosea 2:6–10 Hedging Against False Lovers
4. Hosea 2:11–13 Ceasing Celebrations
5. Hosea 2:14–17 Promise of Restoration
6. Hosea 2:18–20 Covenant of Peace
7. Hosea 2:21–23 Restoration and Identity

Discussion questions

1. In v6, what does God mean by 'hedge up your way with thorns'?
2. What does God promise in v19 when He says, 'I will betroth you to me forever'?
3. The phrase 'I will allure her' in v14: what does this suggest about God's intentions towards Israel?
4. In v13, why does God mention the 'days of the Baals' in relation to Israel's actions?
5. When have you felt unworthy of love or mercy, like Israel in v23?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Hosea 2: 2 Corinthians 6, Jeremiah 29, Ezekiel 16.

Before next time: read Hosea 3.