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Hosea 2:14-23

After all the promised punishments that God made in the first half of chapter 2, what would you expect God to say in this second half?
"I'm going to destroy you now"?
"I'll wipe you off the face of the earth"?
But that's NOT what God says.
Instead, what do we read in verses 14-15?

"Allure" and "lead" and "speak tenderly" and give her back" ALL culminates in the promise to "make the Valley of Achor a door of hope."
"Achor" means "touble"... what do you make of this verse?

The 'desert experience' will be hard, but it could be an opportunity too.
How does this idea translate into the situation we all find ourselves in today?

Next, in verses 6-23, we are told what God intends to...
Verses 6-7 can be linked to a part in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:16-17).
How?

Take time to dig into each of these topics and ask yourself how God is addressing them within this passage...
A new DEVOTION (verse 16)

A new HARMONY (verse 18)

A new VOW (verse 19)

A new RELATIONSHIP (verse 20)

A new PROSPERITY (verses 21-22)

A complete RESTORATION (verse 23)

In your own life, can you see a time when God had to take things away from you, in order to bring you back to Him?

How has God led you THROUGH trouble?

[Activity] Read Hebrews 12:4-11 and explore why God sometimes disciplines us.

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