Page 104 - Divinity_F5

Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

understanding and grief for the sorrow went through his marriage with Gomer,
or bad luck of others that arouses a wish choosing her out of many women in
to help them. Israel, illustrating how God loved the
Israelites by choosing them out of the
The book of Hosea has a lot to teach us, many nations. Hosea portrays God as
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theoretically and practically, about the a loving father who shows care for his
relationship of God with His people. In children, and that’s why he liberated the
the book of Hosea, things to learn about Israelites from Egypt. He referred to the
compassion are God’s unconditional Israelites as “my” to refer to the personal
love, forgiveness, and mercy. That is, choice of Israel among all nations (Hos.
the covenant of God is unbroken to 11:10).
Israel and the entire faith community.
More importantly, the book of Hosea God shows that He will never destroy
elucidates the fact that the anger of God Israel again when Israel has had her
is part of his unconditional love and exile experience. Hosea portrays God
compassion. as a loving husband despite his wife’s
unfaithfulness. The symbolic names
Activity 6. 3 of Hosea’s children were intended to
illustrate Israel’s guilt so that she could
Read the book of Hosea chapter 14 to turn back to God. For example, the
study the concept of compassion and change of names, Jezreel, which meant
how it applies to the teachings in our ‘judgment’ to ‘prosperity’, meaning
daily lives. God’s love would bring prosperity,
pointed to the time of redemption. ‘Not
Exercise 6. 3 loved’ was changed to ‘loved’, meaning
God loved the Israelites and freed them
1. Why do we need the heart of from evil. That is, out of love, he was
compassion?
ready to redeem them. ‘Not my people’
2. Give your experience where mercy, was changed to ‘my people’, meaning
forgiveness and compassion are that God restored the rejected Israelites,
applicable. hence a message of redemption.

3. Explain what you will do when
your close friend annoys you. God sending the prophet to talk to the
Israelites and bring them back to him was
a way to free them from evil and redeem
Mercy, forgiveness and compassion in them. Hosea shows that there would be
Hosea everlasting peace and prosperity in days
God used Hosea’s family tragedy to of restoration, suggesting that God was
illustrate his covenant relationship with ready to redeem the Israelites. Hosea
the people of Israel and how he loved compared God`s love to that of a parent
the Israelites. Hosea shows how God

Form Five Student’s Book 95