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Hosea 11:12-12:6

 We've reached the last four chapters of Hosea's prophecy.
This is where the prophet goes back over the three main themes of the book...
Israel's spiritual adultery.
God's justified anger and frustration with Israel.
God's longing for a renewed relationship.


The end of chapter 11 and the very beginning of chapter 12 begins with Israel's unfaithfulness.
How has Israel offended God?


In this section we see that Israel has been trying to live a 'double life'.
How have they been trying to do this?
Why would they choose this way of living?

In what ways might you be trying to live a double life?

What motivations do these verses give you, to shun that way of living?


In Hosea 12:1, instead of 'feeding on the Word', Hosea describes Israel as 'feeding on the wind'.
What could the prophet mean by this?


In verses 3-4, the nations of Israel and Judah are compared to the twin brothers, Esau & Jacob.
How does this compare?

How did God take the 'grasping' nature of Jacob and change that around for good?

What can we learn from Jacob's example?


What is the possible promise made in 12:6?  


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