told them, through his prophet Hosea, what would happen to them should they
stray from his flock. Since He was unable to control them I felt He had no
recourse but to try to show them the benefits they would reap for their love and
worship of Him. I also got the feeling that he was a benevolent God and would
love mankind no matter what sins they committed.
I came away from reading the book of Hosea feeling their was hope for
all mankind. Though I’m constantly bombarded by newspaper articles and
television reports about the sins and evils of mankind I know that deep down man
is not evil nor is he wicked. I feel though, that society has a great deal to
say about his brothers, and sisters, actions. Should we turn a ?blind-eye? to
the sins and wickedness of others, are we not just as sinful and wicked. God
gives us a choice and it’s up to us to determine the path we’ll take. I have to
honestly say this is the first chapter of the Bible (Old and New Testament) that
I’ve studied this thoroughly and I can also say this will not be the last. I
came into this course thinking it was just a requirement for me to receive my
degree and I’ll leave it with the knowledge that I’ve received more than just
three credit hours.
References
Rainbow Studies, Inc. (1992). The new international version rainbow
study bible (4th ed.). El Reno, Oklahoma: Author
Scott, Jack B. (1971). The book of hosea: a study manual (2nd Printing).
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House.
Tullock, John H. (1981).The old testament story (3rd ed.). Englewoods
Cliff, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, inc.
Southwestern Journal of Theology (Fall 1975). Studies in hosea (No. 1).
Fort Worth, Texas: Faculty of the School of Theology, Southwestern Baptist
Theological Seminary.
Wood, Fred M. (1975). Hosea: prophet of reconciliation. Nashville,
Tennessee: Convention Press.
Random House Webster’s College Dictionary (1991). New York, Random
House Inc.