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Hosea

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
Hosea 1–3. Hosea’s Marriage and Family Symbolized Israel’s Relationship with the Lord Hosea was commanded by the Lord to marry “a wife of whoredoms” (Hosea 1:2), and he obeyed (see Hosea 1:1–3). The three children born to the union were given names symbolic of Israel’s condition and future (see Hosea 1:4–9). Israel’s reconciliation with the Lord was prophesied (see Hosea 1:10–2:1). Hosea’s wife, a symbol of Israel, was called to repentance, and judgments were pronounced upon her (see Hosea 2:2–13). Israel would yet have a fulness of joy with the Lord (see Hosea 2:14–23). The repentance and restoration of an adulteress symbolized Israel’s return to the Lord in the latter days (see Hosea 3).	Religion 302 student manual, 10-1 through 10-11; 10-40 through 10-42. Jeremiah 3:14. To what did Jeremiah compare Israel’s relationship with God? DS, 3:188–90. Should everything in the Bible be taken literally? What is one way God’s commandment to Hosea to marry “a wife of whoredoms” (Hosea 1:2) might be interpreted?
Hosea 4–13. In Turning from the Lord, Israel and Judah Brought Severe Punishments upon Themselves Hosea prophesied that because they rejected the Lord and worshiped false gods, both Israel and Judah would fall (see Hosea 4–5). Israel and Judah rejected repeated appeals from the Lord to repent and return to him (see Hosea 6:1–7:10). Because they forsook the Lord, Israel would be cast off by the Lord and taken into captivity (see Hosea 7:11–10:15). The Lord reminded Israel that though he was merciful to them and sought diligently to save them, they turned from him (see Hosea 11–13; JST, Hosea 11:8).	Religion 302 student manual, 10-12 through 10-37; 10-39; B-7. Jeremiah 3:6–9. To what did Jeremiah compare Israel’s rejection of the Lord? Deuteronomy 4:25–31. What was the punishment predicted for Israel’s rejecting God? Deuteronomy 28:15–68. What curses did Moses prophesy would come upon Israel if they rejected the Lord? (see Hosea 4:6–11; 5:14; 8:7–8; 9:1–4; 13:16). 2 Kings 15:29; 17:5–24. What were Israel’s sins and their consequences? TPJS, p. 322. What is the fate of those who reject God’s blessings? TPJS, p. 16. What must men do to escape God’s judgments in a sinful world?
Hosea 14. Hosea Prophesied That Israel Would Eventually Forsake Her Sins and Return to God Hosea pleaded with Israel to return to God (see Hosea 14:1–3). Hosea said that the day would come when Israel would know pleasant days because she would again embrace the ways of God (see Hosea 14:4–9).	Religion 302 student manual, 10-38. Ezekiel 18:21–23, 31–32. Does the Lord desire to forgive people of their sins? MF, p. 163. What is the crucial test of a person’s or a nation’s repentance? Why? MF, pp. 344–46. Is the Lord willing to forgive sins? On what conditions?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

“Ye Are Not My People” (Sections A–B)

Discuss the importance of marriage as a covenant relationship. Emphasize the fact that when two people are married, they covenant to love one another with all their heart and to cleave unto each other and none else (see D&C 42:22). Explain that the Lord considers his covenant relationship with Israel to be of the same nature. Throughout the scriptures he uses the marriage figure to represent his relationship with his chosen people (see Jeremiah 3:14; Isaiah 54:1).

A woman who proves unfaithful to her husband by giving herself to other men is a harlot. Likewise, Israel, turning from the covenant to follow other gods, was said by the Lord to be playing the harlot (see Hosea 2:5; 4:15).

Read Jeremiah 3:6–9 with the class and then place the accompanying diagram on the board.

Covenant

Jehovah

(husband)

(bridegroom)

Israel

(wife)

(bride)

Then make a break in the arrow to represent the separation between Israel and God caused by Israel’s harlotry, or unfaithfulness to God. The diagram would then look like this:

Covenant Broken

Jehovah

(husband)

(bridegroom)

Israel

(wife)

(bride)

Point out that this separation between Israel and God is what the book of Hosea depicts. The Lord commanded Hosea to marry “a wife of whoredoms” (Hosea 1:2). Gomer bore him three children, whose names symbolized Israel’s condition and future. Read Hosea 1 and write on the chalkboard the names of the three children and their definitions (see Religion 302 student manual, 10-6).

Point out that the book of Hosea is metaphorical. Hosea, the writer, represents the Lord; Gomer, the wife, symbolizes Israel. The adultery is Israel’s turning from the covenant with God to seek the pleasures and enticements of other nations and their gods. In this way, Israel broke her covenant with God, and so the Lord divorced himself from Israel. This divorce was accomplished in 721 B.C. when the ten tribes were taken captive by the Assyrians. The book of Hosea also foretells the restoration of the covenant and the return of Israel to a chosen status in the latter days.

“Go, Take unto Thee a Wife of Whoredoms” (Sections A–C)

Discuss the Lord’s command to Hosea to take “a wife of whoredoms” (Hosea 1:2; see Religion 302 student manual, 10-5). Be certain that your students understand that Hosea’s use of the marriage metaphor represents Israel’s unfaithful condition before the Lord. Read Hosea 2:1–13 and write on the chalkboard both the terms used in the scriptures and their possible meanings (see Religion 302 student manual, 10-7).

Point out that when Hosea said that the Lord would yet “speak comfortably” (Hosea 2:14) to Israel and would betroth her unto him forever (see Hosea 2:19), he was speaking of the day when Israel, after repenting, would be restored and taken back to the Lord. At that time Israel’s long dispersion will end. God will have mercy on scattered Israel and “will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God” (Hosea 2:23). Bear testimony that we are living in that time and that the restoration of modern Israel, resulting from the spread of the gospel, is in fulfillment of Hosea’s prophecies.

Conclude by reading 2 Nephi 6:11–12, in which Jacob taught that “the Lord God will fulfill his covenants which he has made unto his children” (v. 12). But the Lord cannot do that until his children are ready and worthy. Centuries of being cast off and forsaken by the Lord will humble Israel and cause her once again to seek the Lord. As it is with nations, so it is with individuals: the Lord stands ready to take them back whenever they signify by their repentance their sincere desire to return to the Lord and do the works of righteousness. The accompanying chalkboard diagram could be used to illustrate the concepts you present.

covenant

sin

cast off

repentance

reconciliation

covenant renewed

blessings of obedience given

Modern Application of the Teachings of Hosea (Sections A–C)

The message of Hosea may be likened to the story of a Latter-day Saint who was born in the covenant and raised in the Church. Every opportunity was given to the individual to receive the blessings of the gospel. In his youth, however, he was influenced by a crowd that led him away from the Church and the gospel. He forsook his covenants and married outside the Church. After years of being estranged from the Church, he repented fully, was reactivated, and renewed his gospel covenants.

Ask the students how many times they have heard of or seen such a person who, after many years of separation from the Church, has returned to it. The message of the Lord through Hosea to Israel was that even though Israel had forsaken God, true repentance would enable her to be restored to her former covenant relationship with him.

Use excerpts from Elder Poelman’s talk in the April 1982 general conference to help you teach this concept (see Ensign, May 1982, pp. 27–29). Help students understand God’s great love and mercy. In teaching this lesson, however, do not leave the implication that all will be well for the person who forsakes the Church with the idea that he can easily return. Through years of inactivity he may lose blessings that may never be recovered (family, opportunities, and so on). He must go through great suffering between sin and reconciliation with God, and there is always the possibility that a person who sins grievously will lose the desire to repent and will not return at all, even though the Lord still loves him and desires to receive him back.