The Prophetic Wisdom of Hosea

The Prophetic Wisdom of Hosea cover art
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Lessons: 2
Discipline: Old Testament
Course Group: Prophetic Books

The prophet Hosea ministered during one of the most difficult times in Israel's history. In Hosea's day, both Israel and Judah faced serious threats from Assyria. In addition, by the time Hosea completed his book, the kingdom of Israel had fallen under God's severe judgment, and judgment threatened Judah as well. In the midst of these struggles, God called Hosea to speak wisdom to his people. So, what did Hosea tell them? And what can we learn from his wisdom today?

Course Goals:

  • Introduce viewers to the life and ministry of the prophet Hosea, and to the background, content and structure of his book.
  • Identify divine revelations in the book of Hosea and their relevance for the original audience and for Christians today.

102 min.

Lesson 1: An Introduction to Hosea

Introduces the background of the prophet Hosea and his book, and provides an overview of the book's content and structure.
73 min.

Forum 1: An Introduction to Hosea

A companion video to lesson 1 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • How did the Holy Spirit inspire biblical writers like Hosea to write down what he wanted them to say?
  • Why does the Old Testament refer to Israel and Judah as two different kingdoms or nations of God's people?
  • What was the prophet Hosea's message to the northern kingdom of Israel?
  • How do we know that Hosea and other Old Testament prophets were under the authority of Moses' covenant when they delivered their prophecies?
  • How was Tiglath-Pileser III, king of Assyria, connected to events described in the book of Hosea?
  • What was the Syrian-Israelite coalition, and why was it formed?
  • How did prophets like Hosea function as God's emissaries or ambassadors?
  • How was the prophetic office related to God's covenant with Israel?
  • How do all biblical covenants display God's benevolence?
  • What evidence do we have that Hosea intended his book to be read in the southern kingdom of Judah?
  • What is the overall purpose for the book of Hosea?
  • What is the role of a covenant lawsuit in biblical prophecy?
  • How did the personal faithfulness or unfaithfulness of the kings of Israel and Judah affect the nations under their rule?
  • Why did God allow his people Israel to fall to the pagan Assyrians?
  • What does Hosea mean when he says "out of Egypt I called my son" in Hosea 11:1?
73 min.

Forum 1: An Introduction to Hosea

A companion video to lesson 1 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • How did the Holy Spirit inspire biblical writers like Hosea to write down what he wanted them to say?
  • Why does the Old Testament refer to Israel and Judah as two different kingdoms or nations of God's people?
  • What was the prophet Hosea's message to the northern kingdom of Israel?
  • How do we know that Hosea and other Old Testament prophets were under the authority of Moses' covenant when they delivered their prophecies?
  • How was Tiglath-Pileser III, king of Assyria, connected to events described in the book of Hosea?
  • What was the Syrian-Israelite coalition, and why was it formed?
  • How did prophets like Hosea function as God's emissaries or ambassadors?
  • How was the prophetic office related to God's covenant with Israel?
  • How do all biblical covenants display God's benevolence?
  • What evidence do we have that Hosea intended his book to be read in the southern kingdom of Judah?
  • What is the overall purpose for the book of Hosea?
  • What is the role of a covenant lawsuit in biblical prophecy?
  • How did the personal faithfulness or unfaithfulness of the kings of Israel and Judah affect the nations under their rule?
  • Why did God allow his people Israel to fall to the pagan Assyrians?
  • What does Hosea mean when he says "out of Egypt I called my son" in Hosea 11:1?
127 min.

Lesson 2: Revelations for the Wise

Focuses on how Hosea designed his book to impart wisdom to God's ancient people and explores the revelations that Hosea included in each major division of his book.
70 min.

Forum 2: Revelations for the Wise

A companion video to lesson 2 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • Hosea designed his book to impart wisdom to God's people, so how should we understand the concept of wisdom?
  • What significance for Hosea's overall message do we gain from the closure of his book in 14:9?
  • Given that Hosea's purpose was to challenge Judah to gain wisdom, how should we understand the purpose of biblical prophecy in general?
  • Why did God tell Hosea to marry a wife of whoredom?
  • What did God intend to convey through Hosea's marriage and their children's names?
  • What does Hosea's family life teach us about a prophet's role in representing God's covenant with Israel?
  • Why do New Testament authors refer to the time from the first coming of Christ to his return as "the last days" or "latter days"?
  • Why does Hosea condemn foreign alliances in his book?
  • Why does Hosea provide such harsh condemnations of idolatry?
  • What can we learn from the fact that Hosea wasn't the only prophet giving similar warnings to Israel and Judah prior to their exiles?
  • What can we learn from God's warnings of judgment throughout Scripture?
  • Why does God demonstrate so much patience with Israel when he has promised to judge his people with covenant curses if they disobey?
  • What hope for Israel does Hosea provide in 14:1-8?
70 min.

Forum 2: Revelations for the Wise

A companion video to lesson 2 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • Hosea designed his book to impart wisdom to God's people, so how should we understand the concept of wisdom?
  • What significance for Hosea's overall message do we gain from the closure of his book in 14:9?
  • Given that Hosea's purpose was to challenge Judah to gain wisdom, how should we understand the purpose of biblical prophecy in general?
  • Why did God tell Hosea to marry a wife of whoredom?
  • What did God intend to convey through Hosea's marriage and their children's names?
  • What does Hosea's family life teach us about a prophet's role in representing God's covenant with Israel?
  • Why do New Testament authors refer to the time from the first coming of Christ to his return as "the last days" or "latter days"?
  • Why does Hosea condemn foreign alliances in his book?
  • Why does Hosea provide such harsh condemnations of idolatry?
  • What can we learn from the fact that Hosea wasn't the only prophet giving similar warnings to Israel and Judah prior to their exiles?
  • What can we learn from God's warnings of judgment throughout Scripture?
  • Why does God demonstrate so much patience with Israel when he has promised to judge his people with covenant curses if they disobey?
  • What hope for Israel does Hosea provide in 14:1-8?