Hosea

What makes a great love story? Some might suggest compelling characters, a dash of conflict, and strong chemistry, but the greatest love story has something even more powerful: Jesus Christ’s love for us.

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught the following about his experience teaching an early morning seminary class about the book of Hosea:

All my life I had heard explanations of covenants as being like a contract, an agreement where one person agrees to do something and the other agrees to do something else in return. …

During those days teaching Hosea, I felt something new, something more powerful. This was not a story about a business deal between partners. … This was a love story. This was a story of a marriage covenant bound by love, by steadfast love. (“Covenants and Sacrifice” [address given at the Church Educational System Symposium on the Old Testament, Aug. 15, 1995])

As you study the book of Hosea today, look for how the Lord feels about and responds to His covenant people even when they stray from Him.

Hosea was a prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, prophesying around the same time as Isaiah. The Lord commanded Hosea to marry a woman who had committed whoredoms, or sexual sins. Hosea obeyed the Lord’s command and married Gomer, a known adulteress. They had three children together (see Hosea 1:2–9).

Read Hosea 2:5, looking for what Hosea said Gomer had done. “Their mother” refers to Gomer.

Sadly, Gomer was not faithful to her covenant with Hosea, just as Israel didn’t remain faithful in their relationship with God. You might read and link 2 Kings 17:14–16 to Hosea 2:5.

Sometimes, like Gomer and the children of Israel, we are unfaithful to the Lord and stray from our covenants with Him, but He is always seeking to bring us back to Him.

Read Hosea 2:5–8. Mark why Gomer chose to leave Hosea. Next, read Hosea 2:14–16, 19–20, 23. Hosea’s willingness to help Gomer return to him can be compared to what the Lord was willing to do to help Israel return to Him. In a different color, mark phrases that explain what Hosea was willing to do to help Gomer return.

Read Hosea 3:1–3 and make a note next to the verses responding to one or more of the following questions:

• Why do you think Hosea was willing to pay a price to invite Gomer back home despite what she had done?

• In what ways does Hosea remind you of Jesus Christ?

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Option A

What if I’ve strayed from the Lord and feel like I can’t be forgiven?

Sometimes it can be challenging to return to the Lord when we know we have made mistakes. We can be tempted to think God does not want us back after we have been unfaithful to Him.

Read two or more of the following sources, looking for truths that help you feel Christ’s desire and willingness to forgive. Tag each as “mercy” or “forgiveness.”

1. Hosea 14:4

2. Matthew 9:2–7

3. Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

   

   13:49

   

   No matter how long we have been off the path or how far away we have wandered, the moment we decide to change, God helps us return. From God’s perspective, through sincere repentance and pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ, once back on the path, it will be as if we were never off. (“Choose You This Day,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 106)

Think about someone (it could be yourself) who might feel they have strayed too far from the Lord to be forgiven. Write an encouraging message to this person and share what you have learned about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that you think might help them.

Option B

How is covenantal love different?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

All those who have made a covenant with God have access to a special kind of love and mercy. In the Hebrew language, that covenantal love is called hesed (חֶסֶד).

Hesed has no adequate English equivalent. Translators of the King James Version of the Bible must have struggled with how to render hesed in English. … Hesed is a unique term describing a covenant relationship in which both parties are bound to be loyal and faithful to each other. …

Hesed is a special kind of love and mercy that God feels for and extends to those who have made a covenant with Him. And we reciprocate with hesed for Him.

Because God has hesed for those who have covenanted with Him, He will love them. He will continue to work with them and offer them opportunities to change. He will forgive them when they repent. And should they stray, He will help them find their way back to Him. (“The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, Oct. 2022, 6)

The Hebrew Bible uses the word hesed six times in Hosea. Modern translations include “loving kindness” (Hosea 2:19), “mercy” (Hosea 4:1; 6:6; 10:12; 12:6), and “goodness” (Hosea 6:4).

Choose one of the verses listed above that uses the word hesed. Based on what you understand about Hosea’s love for Gomer and President Nelson’s explanation of hesed, create a note listing words you would use to describe how God loves His children.

Consider ways you can express your hesed for the Lord.

Lesson Purpose: To help you understand the Lord’s mercy and unfailing love for you.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• The message of encouragement you wrote.

• Something you learned or recorded about the character of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?