BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 30, Day 2: Magnifying God
3) Truthfully, I’ve always loved the Old Testament because I’m a history buff. That being said, I saw this year how God’s magnificent plans unfolded perfectly. I saw the consequences of sin and of not listening to God. It’s comforting to find Truth in God’s Word.
4) I’ve realized that nothing happens without Him. I know there is purpose in everything He does. He works in ways we do not understand, and our role is simply to trust in that.
5) I loved Lamentations. As sad as it was to read the exile of God’s people, it challenged me to do better and be better in my own faith and walk in life.
“My people are fools;they do not know me. They are senseless children;they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil;they know not how to do good.”
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 3: Jeremiah 4:22
6a) To not be like them. Yet, God, in His mercy, still gives them chances to turn to Him and be forgiven.
b) God uses other countries to enact justice on His people. Everything in the world is orchestrated by God’s hand.
c) Their sin was constant; so is mine. I hope I can learn from it and be a bit better day-by-day.
7) It definitely gave me a new perspective and a deeper sense of gratitude for Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross for me.
8 ) God, I thank you for always pursuing those who don’t pursue you. You never give up on us like we give up on you. You love us too much to do so. Thank you for always pursuing me even when I run from you.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 3: Jeremiah 4:22
Great lesson on how much God loves us and how He never gives up on us. Wonderful!
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 3: Jeremiah 4:22
God explained that Judah was foolish. They did not know him. They pretended to be wise, but they were not. They were wise in evil, not good.
Jeremiah has seen affliction from God and others. Yet, he has hope because of God’s great love for us. His compassions never fail. He is faithful. He is good to those whose hope is in Him. He waits for the Lord’s salvation. His love is unfailing.
Return to the Lord. God hears pleas. God redeems His people. Jeremiah prays for Lord to avenge His people.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 27, Day 3: Lamentations 3
6) I, me, and my. Jeremiah. He. God. Jeremiah laments what has happened to him, but he has faith that God will redeem him and avenge him.
7a) Verse 5: He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. Verse 13: He pierced my heartwith arrows from his quiver.
b) It shifts from one of lamenting his lot in life to one of praising the Lord for His goodness, faithfulness, and coming redemption.
c) God is compassionate. His love is unfailing. He does not willingly grieve us. God is in control of all things. I am encouraged because I know everything happens for God and by God’s will. He watches me every second of every day. I take comfort in that.
d) Jeremiah admits the people have sinned and rebelled, but God has heard his cries. God redeemed him and asks Him to avenge him from his enemies.
8 ) His word. Prayer. His presence. Knowing He is in control, and I have to give it to Him.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 27, Day 3: Lamentations 3
A long chapter that we can learn from. We learn that despite the consequences of our sins and what happens, God shows compassion, and when we cry out to Him, He answers. Powerful stuff!
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 27, Day 3: Lamentations 3
Here, this is the poem that is different from the others. Instead, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet is used for the first three lines, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet is used for the next 3 lines, and so on.
In chapters 1 and 2, Jeremiah worte as Jerusalem. Here, he writes as him (and as the people of Jerusalem).
The Lord afflicted His people. God became the enemy and sunk Jeremiah.
Here, for the first time in the book of Lamentations, we see hope. We see God as merciful to Jeremiah and His people. God is there even in our punishments. He never leaves us.
Each morning there are new hopes and new mercies from the Lord.
God is faithful, even in His justice. God is in charge.
The people should humbly turn back to God and examine their ways.
Jeremiah cries again. He prays for help against his enemies. He knows God will help him. Jeremiah leaves vengeance up to the Lord.
God’s actions reflect the consistency of who He is. He divvies out punishment and then yearns for us to return to Him.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 25, Day 4: Select Passages From Jeremiah
9)
Jeremiah 16:1-4: God told Jeremiah not to marry or have kids because they would die of deadly diseases.
Jeremiah 20:1-2: Jeremiah was beaten and put in the stocks for prophesying.
Jeremiah 26:7-11: The priests, the prophets and all the people seized Jeremiah and said he should be sentenced to death.
Jeremiah 37:1-2, 16: Jeremiah was ignored by Zedekiah and all the people. Jeremiah was put into a vaulted cell in a dungeon, where he remained a long time.
Jeremiah 38:6: Jeremiah was put into a cistern, which was full of mud.
10) We all go through trials in life, and God’s calling on our lives is not easy. But God protected Jeremiah and provided for him, and no doubt he did make some impact on those who he preached to in his 40 years of doing God’s bidding.
11) First, that Ebed-Melek (his name means ‘servant of the king’) was a Cushite, a foreigner, and may not have been a believer. Thirty men came and rescued Jeremiah and did so compassionately. But, God used him to save Jeremiah. God watches over the faithful and does save them.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 25, Day 4: Select Passages From Jeremiah
What a great example of the trials of God’s calling, but the great rewards of it. God does save and care for us, and He sends people to rescue us every day, whether we realize it or not.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 25, Day 4: Select Passages From Jeremiah
Almost everyone in ancient Israel was expected to get married and have children. In fact, it was a shame and dishonor not to do so. This is a very unique command of God’s in the Bible. He did this for Jeremiah’s sake so that he would not feel the pain of losing his wife and kids.
The people treated Jeremiah as a false prophet when they ignored him and put him in the stocks.
Jeremiah was speaking from the temple court (Jeremiah 26:2) in Jeremiah 26:7-11 when he was seized. At the end of the day, the people did not like his message. Shiloh was a town close to Jerusalem that had been destroyed previously by the Philistines. Jeremiah was condemned and brought to judgment.
King Zedekiah only reigned in Jersualem around 598 B.C. He was supposed to obey Nebachadnezzar, the King of Babylon, but he did not. This is when Nebachadnezzar took over Israel for good. Jeremiah told the king to surrender to King Nebachadnezzar. King Zedekiah did not like that. They ignored him, and threw him in jail.
Then, the princes of Judah (most likely King Zedekiah’s sons) lowered Jeremiah into a cistern with the intent to leave him there to die. They could have pushed him in and he likely would have died from the fall, but they did not want blood on their hands. Cisterns were wells that stored water that most people either had or used. Read the verses ahead of Jeremiah 38:6 for the full story.
Jeremiah was rescued from the cistern, but still remained in prison.
We learn when Micah prophesized in verse 1: during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. The Lord will come down and punish His people for their sins. Micah will mourn because of the people’s sins, weeping and wailing.
Micah 2
Micah says that there is woe to those who plot evil, who covet, steal, defraud, and rob others. As consequences, the Lord will plan disasters upon His people. There will be false prophets. Yet, God will redeem a remnant of Israel.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 23, Day 2: Micah 1-2
3) During the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
4a)
Micah 1:1-7: because of Jacob’s transgression, because of the sins of the people of Israel. They worshipped idols.
Micah 2:1-5: Planning sin and plotting evil. Covet fields and houses and seize them. They defraud people of their homes and rob them of their inheritance
Micah 2:6-11: They steal and drive people from their homes. There are false prophets.
b) Because our hearts and nature are evil. We are tempted, and we sin.
c) Sin is easy to do, which is why so everyone does it. Sometimes, following God’s ways are harder. It’s a choice to not sin just as much as it’s a choice to sin. It’s important to be cognizant of your choices.
5) God would gather a remnant and the One (Jesus) would go before them.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 23, Day 2: Micah 1-2
See here the consequences of sin clearly for God’s people.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 23, Day 2: Micah 1-2
Micah 1
Moresheth (also called Moresheth Gath in Micah 1:14) was about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Jerusalem. Micah was from the country and he preached somewhere around 739 BC and 686 BC, the same time as Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea. His name means “Who is like the Lord.”
Micah tells the people to listen to what he has to say. Idolatry was everywhere, and it was time to put God first again.
God will come to judge Israel and Judah. Samaria will be left desolate because of it.
Micah announces the judgement on Judah howling and wailing, very sad to do so.
The nations will know of God’s judgment, and it will bring shame on the people.
Micah 2
Sin is bad, but planned sin is even worse. God will bring His people low because of their planned sins.
God would take away what He had given them.
Still, God will restore His people even if they embrace false prophets.
God tells His people that He is the Maker of all things and the one in control. Jerusalem shall be inhabited and rebuilt. Cyrus is his instrument of justice.
Isaiah 45
God will go before Cyrus and give him victory so that he will know that God is Lord. God gave him his title for the sake of Jacob and Israel (His people). God will strengthen Cyrus so that all may know that He is God.
Righteousness will flourish, and woe to those who quarrel with Him. God is not to be questioned. He made the earth and the heavens. He will free his people from Cyrus.
Everyone will acknowledge that God is with Cyrus. The makers of idols will be shamed. Isreal will be saved for the ages.
God declares what is right. There is no other god. Turn to Him and be saved. He has sworn by himself. Every knee will bow and every tongue will swear. Everyone will boast in Him.
Isaiah 46
Idols cannot rescue themselves and are carried around by others, not with their own power.
God will sustain His people. Carry them. Rescue them. God is incomparable. There is no other God. God will bring about His plan.
Isaiah 47:1-15
God will take vengenance on Babylon for their sins. They showed no mercy on His people. They loved pleasure. They were prideful. They engaged in sorcery and spells. They did not trust God; they trusted in themselves.
God promises disaster and calamity will fall on them. Their magic spells, sorceries, and astrologers cannot help them. They cannot save them. There is no one to save them.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 20, Day 4: Isaiah 44:24-47:15
9a) Cyrus is the king of the Persians who would conquer the Babylonians. God appointed him to be His instrument of justice on Judah, to carry them away to exile in Babylon. God grants him victory so that all may know that He is the Lord and that God is the one behind Cyrus’s power. He also shows some mercy to the Israelites and frees them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild God’s temple.
b) First, it reveals that God is the only God and is omniscient. Second, it reveals that God’s people will flourish. God has a plan. His people will be saved for all of eternity by His son, Jesus Christ.
c) It gives me hope. Gives me a purpose. Allows me to be more God-like in my every day interactions with others.
10a) Babylon showed no mercy to God’s people. They loved pleasure. They were prideful. They engaged in sorcery and spells. They did not trust God; they trusted in themselves.
b) It’s the same reason that knowing that God will punish those who do evil to us. When something bad happens to you, you want justice. There is something inside all of us that demands justice. Justice is God’s and Jesus’ responsibility. So, when we know that God will handle evil, we are comforted knowing they will pay with consequences for the evil they have caused others.
11) The same as 10b. It’s comforting to know that God has it all. I don’t have to worry about what others do and how they will pay. God knows.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 20, Day 4: Isaiah 44:24-47:15
Another LONG passage, but this one is not as difficult as yesterday’s, so hang in there! The gist: God uses Babylon to show the world that He is in charge; God will then bring justice on Babylon for their treatment of His people. There is no one that can save you EXCEPT God.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 20, Day 4: Isaiah 44:24-47:15
Isaiah 44:24-28
God, Judah and Israel’s redeemer, prophesizes a future deliverer of Israel, Cyrus, whom He will use to bring consequences to His people for their disobedience.
Isaiah 45
God calls Cyrus (200 years before the exile will take place) to subdue nations, including Israel. He would allow Cyrus to win, knowing God was behind him. He wanted Cyrus to be king to His people, granting His people the right to return to the Promised Land after the exile.
God is in control, and it’s foolish to resist the Creator of the universe. God will deliver His people, saving them. Idolaters will submit before Him. They are foolish, and He is great.
Look to God and be saved. This verse saved Charles Spurgeon. And, it can save you.
Every knee will bow.
Isaiah 46
The idols of nations are carried away, powerless to defend themselves.
God is not powerless; He will carry and save His people. God knows everything, and He will bring a deliverer to His people (Jesus).
Isaiah 47:1-15
Babylon will be humbled, and God will be glorified. Babylon will pay for their pride and arrogance, sorceries and enchantments, their treatment of God’s people. The sorcerers cannot save Babylon; only God can save.
“The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.”
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 18, Day 2: Isaiah 1:1 and Others
3a) Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah
b) The spiritual climate was tumultuous to say the least. The people were ungodly and were moving further away from God, as were some of Judah’s kings. Uzziah and Jotham did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Ahaz did not. He practiced child sacrifice amongst others horrors. and Hezekiah did what was right. The service of the temple of the Lord was reestablished under his reign.
4)
1:2-3: God’s children have rebelled against him (His people).
1:16-18: Isaiah beseeches God’s people to stop doing wrong.
9:19; 22:5: God will bring judgment on those who have turned from Him by scorching the land and the people.
9:6; 11:1-3: Jesus will save God’s people.
27:6; 32:1-2: 40:1-2; 43:1-2: Israel will be saved. Kings will rule in righteousness and with justice. Israel’s sins will be paid for; they will be redeemed.
5a) I loved the redemption (Isaiah 43:1-2). God will summon me by name and be with me. It’s so full of hope.
b) God’s promises.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 18, Day 2: Isaiah 1:1 and Others
Isaiah was my first study in BSF so many years ago, and I am looking forward to this part of the study again!
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 18, Day 2: Isaiah 1:1 and Others
About the Book of Isaiah
This is the first and largest of the Major Prophets books.
Isaiah was a prophet mainly to the Southern kingdom of Judah from between 740 to 680 B.C. Israel, the Northern kingdom fell to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. during Isaiah’s ministry.
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.
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.
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 themto 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 herdsto 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.
