Hosea

SECTION OUTLINE ONE (HOSEA 1–3)
God tells Hosea to marry a prostitute, so some of her children will have been born from other men. Why? To illustrate the way God’s people have been untrue to him. Then, even when Hosea’s wife goes and sins again, Hosea is to take her back and love her—demonstrating God’s never-failing love for his people.


I. AN INNOCENT HUSBAND AND AN IMMORAL WIFE: Hosea and Gomer (1:1–9; 2:2–7; 3:1–3)
A. The command (1:1–2): God orders Hosea to marry a prostitute.
B. The children (1:3–9)
1. What their names are (1:4a, 6a, 9a)
a. Jezreel, a son (1:4a)
b. Lo-ruhamah, a daughter (1:6a)
c. Lo-ammi, another son (1:9a)
2. What their names mean (1:4b–5, 6b, 9b)
a. “Scattered” (Jezreel) (1:4b–5)
b. “Not loved” (Lo-ruhamah) (1:6b)
c. “Not my people” (Lo-ammi) (1:9b)
C. The corruption (2:2): Gomer, who was a prostitute before marrying Hosea, now becomes an adulterous wife. Gomer represents Israel.
D. The chastisement (2:3–5): God says he will severely punish Gomer/Israel if she does not repent.
E. The confinement (2:6–7): Hosea tries to wall Gomer/Israel in, thus preventing her from returning to her immoral ways, but all to no avail!
F. The compassion (3:1–3): Because of his great love for her, and in spite of her terrible sin, Hosea purchases Gomer/Israel from the slave market where she has sold herself sexually.


II. AN INNOCENT HUSBAND AND AN IMMORAL WIFE: The Lord and Israel (1:10–2:1, 8–23; 3:4–5)
A. Israel’s sin (2:8): She is guilty of both immorality and idolatry.
B. Israel’s suffering (2:9–13): She will suffer famine, shame, and destruction.
C. Israel’s salvation (1:10–2:1, 14–23; 3:4–5)
1. The chronology (3:4): Israel will be a long time without a king, prince, sacrifices, Temple, priests, or even idols.
2. The conditions (1:10–2:1, 14–23; 3:5)
a. She will be multiplied, received, and restored by God (1:10–2:1, 23).
b. God will once again be her husband (2:16–17).
c. She will know his love as never before (2:19–20).
d. Her Valley of Trouble will become the gateway of hope (2:14–15).
e. She will live in a perfect environment and will enjoy abundant crops (2:18, 21–22).
f. The great King David will rule over her (3:5).


SECTION OUTLINE TWO (HOSEA 4–10)
Hosea describes Israel’s rebellion, ruin, and repentance.


I. HER REBELLION (4:1–5:15; 6:4–8:14; 9:7–10; 10:1–4)
A. Swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and adultery (4:1–3, 14–17)
B. Godless religious leaders (4:4–5, 8–10; 5:1–4, 10–15)
C. Godless political leaders (7:1–7)
D. Willful ignorance (4:6)
E. Idolatry (4:7, 12–13, 19; 7:8–16; 8:1–14; 10:1–3)
F. Drunkenness (4:11, 18)
G. Arrogance (5:5–9)
H. Insincere sacrifices (6:4–6)
I. Breaking the covenant (6:7–11; 10:4)
J. Refusing to hear God’s Word (9:7–10)


II. HER RUIN (9:1–6, 11–17; 10:5–15)
A. The child mortality rate will soar (9:11–16).
B. Her idols will be destroyed (10:5–9).
C. Her people will be carried off into captivity by the Assyrians (9:1–6; 10:10–15).
D. They will wander around, homeless (9:17).


III. HER REPENTANCE (6:1–3)
A. The confession (6:1a, 3)
1. “Let us return to the LORD!” (6:1a).
2. “Let us press on to know him!” (6:3).
B. The cleansing (6:1b–2)
1. “He will bandage our wounds” (6:1b).
2. “He will restore us so we can live in his presence” (6:2).


SECTION OUTLINE THREE (HOSEA 11–14)
Hosea explains God’s case against Israel, then shares God’s invitation to and hope for Israel.


I. THE CASE (11:5–7, 12; 12:1–2, 7–14; 13:1–3, 6–16)
A. Their sin (11:12; 12:1–2, 7–8; 13:1–2, 6)
1. Deceit (11:12)
2. Ungodly alliances (12:1–2)
3. Dishonesty (12:7)
4. Boasting (12:8)
5. Pride (13:6)
6. Idolatry (13:1–2)
B. Their suffering (11:5–7; 12:9–14; 13:3, 7–16)
1. Poverty (12:9–13)
2. Physical death for some (12:14; 13:7–16)
3. Exile for the rest (11:5–7; 13:3)


II. THE INVITATION (12:6; 14:1–3, 8–9)
A. Realize your helplessness (14:3).
B. Confess and forsake your sin (14:1–2, 8–9).
C. Return to God (12:6).


III. THE LOVE (11:1–4, 8–11; 12:3–5; 13:4–5; 14:4–7)
A. In the past (11:1–4; 12:3–5; 13:4–5)
B. At the present (11:8–9)
C. In the future (11:10–11; 14:4–7)


Willmington, H. L. (1999). The Outline Bible (Ho 1–11:11). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.