Walking in the Lord's Ways

Saturday, August 15, 2015
Hosea 14:1-9 KJV

1 Return, Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall! 2 Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. 3 Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion." 4 "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; 6 his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. 7 People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine-- Israel's fame will be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me." 9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does Hosea implore the people of God to do? What has led to their downfall? (v.1)
2) What else does the prophet encourage the people of God to do? (v.2-3)
3) What does the Lord promise those who heed His instruction? (v.4-8)
4) What will become of the righteous? What will become of the rebellious? Why? (v.9)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Do you know people who have obeyed the Lord's commands? If so, what has become of them?
6) Do you know peoople who have rebelled against the Lord's commands? If so, what has become of them?

LIFE LESSONS
7) The Lord has not issued commands to His people to make our lives difficult, or unrewarding; but, to bless us. 
8) The Lord's commands for His people have been given to us because of His love for, and mercy toward, us.