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Hosea 4:10-19

God has had enough!
To continue the courtroom metaphor, it's time that Israel's crimes where exposed and brought out into the light. Hosea, as prophet (God's prosecuting lawyer) has the job of continuing to present the evidence for Israel's unfaithfulness...


[Activity] It has been suggested that verses 10-14 begin and end with proverbs about Israel's lack of understanding... and then 'sandwiched' between them are the three main things that have made Israel foolish: drunkenness, consulting idols for guidance, and offering pagan sacrifices.
Explore how these two proverbs and these three points are described in these verses and how they could be paralleled in our world / culture today...

In the previous verses, even though the women are mentioned, who will (and won't) be punished in verse 14?  

Why does God hold the men responsible, rather than the immoral women?

What lessons are there for us here?

Apparently, it's too late for Israel... but Hosea redirects his attention onto her sister-nation, Judah... Judah is given three warnings. Two in verse 15 and 1 in verse 16.
What are they?
How might they relate to us today?

What is Israel compared to in verse 16 and why?
Why might God say the same of us?

Holding this portrait of God as Judge (chapter 4) up against the portrait of God as Lover (chapters 1-3) could seem a bit confusing (at best) and contradictory (at worst).
Why is it important for us to hold on to BOTH pictures of God at the same time?

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