Can one's actions actually hurt God or is God above and beyond pain?
A Strange Command
- Why does God depict unfaithfulness to Him through an unfaithful wife rather than an unfaithful husband? Who is more often unfaithful, husband or wife?
- Why did Hosea have to act out his message? Wouldn't a sermon on the theme have been sufficient? How successful was the sermon?
- Does the last verse of the book (14:9) suggest that the book is to be understood as a parable, and not as real incidents?
Spiritual Adultery
- In what ways are we committing spiritual adultery today? Is letting our minds wander during a sermon or prayer a type of adultery?
- Can putting ourselves before God be a kind of adultery? Can one commit adultery alone?
A Promise of Restoration
- In what way can condemnation, discipline and threat be seen as hope?
- What does it cost God to forgive us? What does it cost us to forgive others?
- Do we look up to or look down on a person who forgives and takes back an unfaithful spouse repeatedly?
The Case Against Israel
- Why would Israel keep turning to other gods? Could it be that the priests and Levites had failed to make Yahwism interesting enough?
- The rich people often leave God first: Why is this?
A Call to Repentance
- How do names and characteristics match so often? Are names prophetic, or do people become what their names mean?
- Do we teach our children about God, or to know God? What comes first? What methods can I use to teach others to love God?