Category: BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

Welcome to AtoZMom’s BSF Blog! Learn about BSF (Bible Study Fellowship)’s BSF study People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided as we study the Old Testament and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah in 2022/2023.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 2: 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 21; 2 CHRONICLES 33

2 Kings 21:

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king of Judah. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord would punish him for this by bringing disaster on Jerusalem and Judah.

Manasseh’s son Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He was assassinated by his officials, and his son Josiah reigned after him.

2 Chronicles 33:

Manassah did evil in the eyes of hte Lord. The Lord brought Assyria against him and took him prisoner. Then, Manassah turned back to God and God took pity on him. He brought him back to Jerusalem and his kingdom. Manasseh rebuilt Jerusalem, restored the altar of God and sacrifices to him. The people did as well.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 2: 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33

3a)

 He followed the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. 4 He built altars in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” 5 In both courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.

7 He took the image he had made and put it in God’s temple, of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. 8 I will not again make the feet of the Israelites leave the land I assigned to your ancestors, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them concerning all the laws, decrees and regulations given through Moses.”

9 But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.

It roused God’s anger towards Judah and would cause their eventual fall into slavery and exile by Assyria.

b) God warned Manasseh and His people of what would happen because of their sin. This still gives them time to repent and come to the Lord to ward off these consequences.

4a) The Lord brought Assyria against Manansseh and took him prisoner. Then, Manassah turned back to God and God took pity on him. He brought him back to Jerusalem and his kingdom. Manasseh rebuilt Jerusalem, restored the altar of God and sacrifices to him. The people did as well.

b) Through all the hardships God has restored me to him. The circumstances of life and the consequences of my bad choices bring me closer to him.

5) As the leader goes, so goes the country. It’s super important to lead by example (even in your family) if you want a certain outcome.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 2: 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33

Very sad to read about these rulers, but there’s always an olive branch extended by the Lord, which is encouraging to say the least.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 2: 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33

2 Kings 21:

Note that Manasseh was born in the additional 15 years that Hezekiah prayed for and was granted by the Lord.

Fun Fact: Manasseh reigned 55 years, the longest reign of a king of Judah.

God promises judgment for all of Manasseh’s evil. Manesseh even kills his own people.

2 Chronicles 33:

This book records that Manasseh was taken by the Babylonians as prisoner, which caused him to turn back to God. Manasseh proved his repentance was genuine by taking away the idols and the foreign gods from Jerusalem, and he commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel (2 Chronicles 33:16). Yet, Judah was too far into sin to be saved entirely.

Amon was no better, and he was assassinated as such.

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Friday Digest BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF PEOPLE OF THE PROMISE: KINGDOM DIVIDED LESSON 16

  • Trust and obey God and He will bless you
  • Turn from God and face consequences
  • God is faithful even in our challenges
  • Turn to God for help, not others
  • You can trust God’s Word
  • God’s love is our greatest blessing
  • God wants what’s best for us, and sometimes difficult circumstances drive us to Him
  • Only God provides ultimate peace and satisfaction

TAKE AWAY: Life becomes even harder without God.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 5: 2 Kings 18:9-20; 21; 2 Chronicles 32

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 Kings 18:9-20; 21; 2 Chronicles 32

2 Kings 18:9-20

Samaria was captured by the Assyrians during Hezekiah’s reign. Also, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. Hezekiah paid the king with gold and silver from the temple. Then, Sennacherib threatens Jersualem.

2 Kings 21

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole. The Lord promises disaster on Jerusalem for his sins.

Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He was assassinated and Josiah, his son, took the throne.

2 Chronicles 32

Sennacherib lays seige to Jerusalem and other cities. They spoke against God and King Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed to the Lord. The Lord sent an angel who annihilated all the fighting men of Assyria. Sennacherib was murdered by his own sons.

So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all others. He took care of them on every side. Manasseh his son succeeded him as king

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 5: 2 Kings 18:9-20; 21; 2 Chronicles 32

12) Israel was captured by the Assyrians during Hezekiah’s reign. Also, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured some of the people and took them away. Hezekiah paid the king with gold and silver from the temple to appease him. Then, Sennacherib threatens Jersualem with a letter, and Hezekiah turns to God.

13) Hezekiah has his moments where he strays. He tries to bribe Sennacherib king of Assyria with money to not attack him and he does anyways. He prays to God when he is attacked and God rescues him. When he was ill, he prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him. Yet, he still seeks God.

14a)

His dependence on God: He prays to God, laying his heart on the table.

His deliberate focus on God Himself as his source of help: He meets God at the temple and prays how God alone can help him.

His honest statement of his predicament: He lays the letter out for God to see.

His straightforward request: He asks God to deliver them from the hands of Assyria.

b) The Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king.

c) Isaiah was Hezekiah’s chief advisor. He helped Hezekiah to get rid of idolatry and reinstitute temple service and worship.

Judah was urged to join in an uprising against Assyria about 713 B.C. Isaiah counseled Hezekiah against doing so (Isaiah 19:25.)

Hezekiah disregarded Isaiah’s advice later on and joined Egypt in an alliance against Assyria, which resulted in Hezekiah paying Syria a huge tribute.

He advised Hezekiah when Sennacherib attacked Jerusalem and prayed, too. (2 Chornicles 32:20).

d) Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see. Heal the pain in my left knee and give me the strength to achieve my dreams and honor you in the process, Lord. Let all know my strength is only possible from and because of you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 5: 2 Kings 18:9-20; 21; 2 Chronicles 32

Loved this study of Hezekiah. I had forgotten what he had done. Great leader and example of what is possible with God.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 5: 2 Kings 18:9-20; 21; 2 Chronicles 32

In 2 Kings 18:9-20, we see Israel fall into exile. Hezekiah tries to buy peace from the Assyrians. The leaders of Assyria try to convince Judah to surrender to them.

In 2 Kings 21, we see the reign of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole. The Lord promises disaster on Jerusalem for his sins.

We see the reign of Amon, son of Manasseh He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He was assassinated and Josiah, his son, took the throne.

In 2 Chronicles 32, we see how Sennacherib attacks Jerusalem, but God protects his people from the Assyrians. Hezekiah prepares for the attack.

Servants of Sennacherib are called the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh in 2 Kings 18:17. They spoke against the Lord, which is, in general, just a bad idea.

God wanted Hezekiah to trust in Him for help, not Egypt.

Hezekiah and Isaiah pray to the Lord, and God answered in typical fashion. He sent an angels to wipe out the Assyrian army. 185,000 men died (2 Kings 19:35). 20 years later, Sennacherib was murdered by his sons. God’s judgment was complete.

This sign God gave Hezekiah that he ignored was the sign of the retreating sundial 2 Kings 20:8-11.

Ambassadors from Babylon came to Hezekiah while he was sick to honor him. Hezekiah showed them all of the riches of his land out of pride. This would be their downfall as Isaih predicted 2 Kings 20:12-21. Like so many other kings we’ve studied, Hezekiah did not end well.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 4: 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31

Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign in Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. He purifed the temple, celebrated Passover, and encouraged worship of the Lord.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 4: 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31

9a) He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. The first commandment is to love the Lord your God before all others. Therefore, idol worship could not be tolerated ever.

b) The Lord has to be first in everything we do, always. The hard part is trying to remember that.

10)

The role and activity of the priests: He purified the temple and the priests and rededicated them to the Lord. Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the Lord’s dwelling. He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the Lord.

Calling the people back to God: He celebrated Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread, inviting everyone including Judah to come to Jerusalem and do so. More high places were smashed.

11a) You have to fix what is wrong before you can do what is right. Hezekiah understood this by smashing idol worship and restoring the priesthood and retraining them to serve God. He took action once the corrective measures were taken to restore the priesthood and put God at the center of people’s lives once again.

b) Good question. He’s definitely asking me to put him first more and get my priorities straight.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 4: 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31

Amongst all the bad kings, the good ones shine out — and boy do they shine brightly. Love reading about Hezekiah and his example of how it can only take a few things to turn the world around for many.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 4: 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31

In 2 Kings, we see Hezekiah’s reign was righteous, so he prospered. God preserved the royal line of King David (and thus Jesus) through Hezekiah.

In 2 Chronicles 29-31, we see Hezekiah cleanse the temples and restore worship and sacrifices. Passover is celebrated, and the regular work of the priests is restored.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 3: 2 Kings 15:1-7, 32-38; 16; 2 Chronicles 26-28

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 Kings 15:1-7, 32-38; 16; 2 Chronicles 26-28

2 Kings 15:1-7, 32-38

Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign. He reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, and he lived in a separate house.

Jotham his son succeeded him as king. He reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God

2 Kings 16

Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign. He reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. He did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God. Ahaz asked for help from Assyria rather than God.

2 Chronicles 26-28

Uzziah succeeded his father Amaziah as king in Judah. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God. The Lord afflicted him with leprosy, and he lived in a separate house.

Jotham reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years.. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.

Ahaz reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Therefore the Lord his God delivered him into the hands of the king of Aram.

King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria for help. Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him, but he gave him trouble instead of help. In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 3: 2 Kings 15:1-7, 32-38; 16; 2 Chronicles 26-28

6) Idol worship infiltrated Judah in several ways. First, the Israelites intermixed with the surrounding kingdoms, adopting their ways and gods. Next, Israel would partner with pagan nations for help, rather than with God. And, the kings would worship idols, so the people followed suit.

7a) He made idols for worshiping the Baals. He burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his children in the fire, engaging in the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree. He asked for help from the king of Assyria. He constructed pagan altars and made offerings on them.

b) It’s easy to keep on sinning once you’ve entered sin. The best solution is to pray to resist sin or to turn away and repent as soon as you realize it. Don’t let the lies and sins compound.

8 ) God is in control, and we find hope in Him and His ways, not the ways of the world.

Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 13:1-2: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Isaiah 55:8-9: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 3: 2 Kings 15:1-7, 32-38; 16; 2 Chronicles 26-28

It’s easy to see how infectious sin can be and how it can completely destroy lives. We must always be on guard against this.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 3: 2 Kings 15:1-7, 32-38; 16; 2 Chronicles 26-28

Azariah (also called Uzziah in 2 Kings 15:13 and other places in 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah) was good in the eyes of the Lord. He was a strong king and a builder. He built up the army, too. He left the foreign altars and was struck by God with leprosy for burning incense in the temple (2 Chronicles 26:16). Kings were to be separate from the priests.

Jotham did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father had who influenced him. He improved the towns with building projects.

God began to send countries against Judah as a test.

2 Chronicles 26-28 covers the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, and Ahaz. Ahaz did evil, rejected God, and chose idol worship. Many Judeans were captured by Syria and carried away. Many died. Ahaz turns to Assyria for help instead of turning to the Lord. Isaiah the prophet was preaching during the reign of Ahaz. God preserved a remnant and did not allow the Syrians to destroy all of Judah so the Messianic prophecy would be fulfilled.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 2: 2 Kings 15:8-31; 17

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 15:8-31; 17

2 Kings 15:8-31

Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned six months. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah. He attacked him in front of the people, assassinated him and succeeded him as king. So the word of the Lord spoken to Jehu was fulfilled: “Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.

Menahem son of Gadi went from Tirzah up to Samaria. He attacked Shallum son of Jabesh in Samaria, assassinated him and succeeded him as king. He reigned in Samaria ten years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned two years. Pekahiah did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Pekah killed Pekahiah and succeeded him as king. He reigned twenty years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Hoshea son of Elah conspired against Pekah son of Remaliah. He attacked and assassinated him, and then succeeded him as king.

2 Kings 17

Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned nine years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria.

All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Kuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took over Samaria and lived in its towns.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 2: 2 Kings 15:8-31; 17

3a)

  • Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned six months.
  • Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah. He reigned one month.
  • Menahem son of Gadi. He reigned 10 years.
  • Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned two years
  • Pekah killed Pekahiah and succeeded him as king. He reigned twenty years.
  • Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned nine years.

b) Probably chaotic. There were assassinations at every turn. There was no stability. Then Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked and took the Israelites captive and deported them.

4) Israel had been paying Shalmaneser king of Assyria tribute to avoid an invasion. Instead, Hoshea went to the king of Egypt instead and quit paying tribute, so the king of Assyria attacked and took the Israelites captive and deported them.

5a)  All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God. They worshiped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. The Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right. They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. At every high place they burned incense. They did wicked things that made God angry. Thye forsook all the commands of God, so exile was their punishment.

b) Well, as we’ve seen, they get attacked and deported. God’s blessings turn to judgment, and anything can happen. Life becomes even harder without God.

c) Lots of ways. We can look to other people, material things, other items we own, have, or want. Ultimately, every path is empty.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 2: 2 Kings 15:8-31; 17

Lots of history here and a good insight into just how turbulent ancient times were.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 2: 2 Kings 15:8-31; 17

In 2 Kings 15, we see 5 kings that reigned over Israel in a short amount of time.

Note that all did evil in the eyes of the Lord except Shallum, whom the writer does not say whether he was good or bad. It’s probably safe to assume he was bad.

Assyria moved many conquered nations and peoples to their lands. The land of Israel is not reduced to a small piece of land.

2 Kings 17 tells about the complete fall of Israel into the hands of the Assyrians.

Hoshea and Israel were subjects under Assyria and paid them money. However, Hoshea hoped to find help with Egypt. When Assyria found out, they attacked Israel, showing no mercy. Hoshea needed to turn to the Lord for help, not Egypt.

It took Assyria three years to conquer Israel, but they did. They deported all but the poor to Assyria.

It had been a short 200 years and many kings (19 in total) since Solomon when Israel was united when the Northern Kingdom of Israel fell.

It has been reported that Assyrians would lead captives away naked and pierced. Truly humbling for God’s people — all because God was ignored.

When Israel was resettled by the Assyrians, God is angry because they did not fear Him. He sent lions to show His power. Priests were sent, but the people still forsook God.

It’s simple — obey God and be saved. Yet, this is the ulimate example of Israel’s failure to do so.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 5: Hosea 14

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF HOSEA 14

Hosea entreats Israel to repent and return to God. God will love them freely if so. His anger will be turned away, and they will blossom. Let them understand that the ways of the Lord are right.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 5: Hosea 14

12) God commands a certain prayer: Say to him:
    “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.
3 Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.”

God promises:

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;6 his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,  his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7 People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain,
they will blossom like the vine—   Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 Ephraim, what more have I[c] to do with idols?I will answer him and care for him.
I am like a flourishing juniper, your fruitfulness comes from me.”

13) Israel’s restoration will be complete. It will be flourishing and splendid.

14a) We will be righteous if we walk in God’s ways.

b) Choose Him every day. Put Him first every day. Pray every day.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 5: Hosea 14

I love how Hosea ends with hope. You can always come back to God no matter your sins. Always. Never forget that.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 5: Hosea 14

God tells the Israelites exactly what to say in repentance. We take his words humbly and declare His greatness. God will then restore them abundantly.

Israel will be free from idols and wise. Even after sin, God awaits to restore.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 4: Hosea 4-13

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF HOSEA 4-13

Hosea begins to warn the Israelities of their sins and how they must repent to God. They are rejected as God’s priests and will not have enough to eat. They are unfaithful to the Lord and will face consequences.

Israel does not repent of their sins despite the warnings. They will be punished for their great sins, no longer loved, and rejected.

Yet, God loves Israel and will have compassion on them. He will rescue them.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 4: Hosea 4-13

9a)

4:1-3: There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. 2 There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.3 Because of this the land dries up, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea are swept away.

5:4-6: “Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord. 5 Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin; Judah also stumbles with them. 6 When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them.

7:11-16:“Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless— now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria. 12 When they go, I will throw my net over them.  I will pull them down like the birds in the sky. When I hear them flocking together,  I will catch them. 13 Woe to them,  because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them,  because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them   but they speak about me falsely.14 They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail on their beds. They slash themselves,[a] appealing to their gods  for grain and new wine, but they turn away from me.I trained them and strengthened their arms, but they plot evil against me.16 They do not turn to the Most High;they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent words. For this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt.

8:1-5:“Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle is over the house of the Lord because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law. 2 Israel cries out to me, ‘Our God, we acknowledge you!’ 3 But Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will pursue him. 4 They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction. 5 Samaria, throw out your calf-idol! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?

10:1-2: Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones. 2 Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones.

13:2-3: Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of these people, “They offer human sacrifices! They kiss[a] calf-idols!” 3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.

b) Each time I sin, I realize it now and come to him and repent. I catch myself sometimes before I sin, too. It’s great to know that God accepts me in the midst of it all no matter what.

10a)

6:6: “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.” God restores us no matter our sins.

7:13: “Woe to them, because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely.” God always longs for us no matter how far we have strayed.

9:10: “When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.” We are beautiful in God’s eyes and He only wants our hearts.

13:4: “But I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me.” God has been with us always no matter our sins.

b) When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again.

c) It’s comforting knowing God loves me and everyone else and this world, especially when there is evil in this world. He never stops pursuing me and everyone. He loves us even when we do not love him. Very comforting, indeed.

11) This is a tough one. You can always say natural disasters. Yet, God punishes in other ways, too. He shows us His love, too. He punishes us individually for our sins

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 4: Hosea 4-13

I LOVE this! I love how God is great even we aren’t. He always roots for us, and most of us need that on a daily basis.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 4: Hosea 4-13

Note: Israel is referred to as Ephraim.

We start Hosea 4 with the charge of sins against Israel. Even the priests are corrupt and ineffective. Judgment will come, especially in the midst of idolatry. Judah is warned, but God will remedy.

In Hosea 5, Israel continues to sin with idolatry, and Israel’s leaders are rebuked. Israel will be desolate. Israel wrongfully looks to man for restoration. God judges, hoping to bring His people back to Him.

In Hosea 6, Israel is called to return to the Lord in faithful trust. They should walk in confidence. The people realize how much they have missed God. Still, the sin of idolatry hangs on.

In Hosea 7, we see Israel willfully blind to their sins as they chase after idols. They are prideful and stubborn. They fly about to the other nations like a dove. They run away from God in doing so.

In Hosea 8, Israel casts off God and embraces other idols. Israel is judged and regathered. God rejects their offerings because Israel does not understand His words. Because of this, there is no refuge.

In Hosea 9, Israel will be exiled in judgment. We read about their punishment in Egypt. God then sends barrenness, dryness, and bereavement as judgment to a wandering Israel.

In Hosea 10, Israel is still in sin like an empty vine and throne. God warns Israel to acknowledge their sin and submit to His cleansing. He tells them to break up the hard ground of their hearts and to quit resisting Him.

In Hosea 11, we see God’s love for His people as He calls them back to Him. Yet, their actions are chastened. Yet, God takes compassion on Israel and calls them back.

In Hosea 12, Israel still makes alliances with foreign nations like ancient Jacob did. God will judge them.

In Hosea 13, the Israelites will be scattered due to their sins. They will be torn apart by a lion. The king will be rejected, and they will be judged.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 3: Hosea 2:14-3:5

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF HOSEA 2:14-3:5

The Lord will bring her back to Him and give her back her vineyards. She will worship him again and there will be peace. You will be betrothed to the Lord forever. They will be God’s people again and they will say “You are my God,” again.

God told Hosea to go to his wife and love her again. Love her as He loves the Israelites even though they worship other gods. He bought her for bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. The Israelites will live many days without a king or a prince, and they will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 3: Hosea 2:14-3:5

6a) verse 14: I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. you will call me ‘my husband’;  you will no longer call me ‘my master.
17 I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips Bow and sword and battle
    I will abolish from the land,
    so that all may lie down in safety.
19 I will betroth you to me forever;
    I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
    in  love and compassion.
20 I will betroth you in faithfulness,
    and you will acknowledge the Lord.

I will plant her for myself in the land;
    I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’;
    and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”

b) Same. He brings us back to Him always when we have sinned. Gives us peace. Embraces us as His betrothed.

7) He commanded Hosea to take his wife back and to love her as He loves the Israelites. He was undoubtedly blessed by doing so.

8a)  He bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Then he told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.”

b) Same. God takes us back despite our sins and loves us the same. He asks us to obey his commands as conditions for doing so, and we do or try to do so and then ask for forgiveness when we fail.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 3: Hosea 2:14-3:5

Great message of hope and picture of forgiveness when we are broken.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 3: Hosea 2:14-3:5

God will restore Israel to Him once again. The renewed relationship will be one of love and not fear. This relationship will never be broken again.

We begin to want what He wants, and He answers. God will provide us abundantly. We will be restored completely in love.

Hosea 3:1-5

Though Deuteronomy 24:1 and Matthew 19:7-8 permit divorce, it is not required as we see her. Hosea is commanded to love Gomer, which he does. Love is more than a feeling or what we want in a marriage. It’s a command to love.

Hosea seems to have bought Gomer out of prostitution. This was not necessary, but it shows he can provide for her and he is serious. Some Bible scholars say Gomer was a slave bought out of prostition, but there is no evidence of that.

Israel will seek the Lord once again, too.

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