2. The Word of God is a blessing *Precepts *Examples

3. It is our duty to apply the truth *Study it *Live it The Word of God is a tremendous blessing. 1. Precepts. 2. Examples. B. It is our duty to apply the truth to our lives. 1. Study it. 2. Live it.

5. Kings of Judah, 1:1 *Uzziah, 2 Chron. 26 *Jotham, 2 Chron. 27:1-6 *Ahaz, 2 Chron. 28:1-4 *Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 29:1-2

6. King of Israel, 1:1 *Jeroboam II ·Evil ·After reign, rapid change in rulers -Political unrest -Idolatry in every form -Rejection of Jehovah

7. Primarily addressed Israel before captivity, 1:6, 7; 4:1 *Idolatry, 2 Kgs. 17:7, 8 *Rebellion, 2 Kgs. 17:13-15 *End of Israel, 2 Kgs. 17:20-23

8. Betrayal & adultery, 1-3 Hosea Wife of harlotry, 1:2; 2:2-8 Children of harlotry, 1:2; 2:4, 5 God Israel Apostates Jezreel, 1:4 Lo-Ruhamah, 1:6 Lo-Ammi, 1:9 God will scatter No mercy Not My people Mercy, 1:10; 2:23; 3:1-5

9. Lawsuit against Israel, 4-13 *No knowledge of righteousness, but multiplied evil, 4:1, 2 *Idolatry, luxury, lewdness, 4:11, 12 *Corrupt leadership, 5:1 *Insincere repentance, 6:1, 4

10. Lawsuit against Israel, 4-13 *Sin to own hurt, 7:9 *Destruction & captivity, 8:1-3, 12, 13; 9:10, 17; 11:1-7 *Idolaters soon disappear, 13:1-4 God’s compassion to be shown, 14:1-4

11. Lack of knowledge = destruction, 4:6 *Satan blinds, 2 Cor. 4:4 *Some hide, Jn. 3:19-21 *Some hinder, Acts 13:6-12 *Some seek, Eph. 4:11-16; 5:17

12. Mercy, not sacrifice, 6:6 *Do, but not know, Mt. 7:21-23 *Saul’s failure, 1 Sam. 15 *“Good works,” 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Cor. 11:22, 34 ·Help hurricane victims ·Homeless shelters ·Pizza parties

13. Sow wind, reap whirlwind, 8:7 *Egypt *Israel *David *Parents *Churches

14. Break up your fallow ground, 10:12-14 *Inactivity, untilled, unproductive *Prepare the soil, Mt. 13:1-9; Eph. 4:17-24; Rom. 12:1-2

15. The ways of the Lord are right, 14:9 *Righteous walk in them *Transgressors stumble *Christ *Church *Hell 1 Pt. 2:1-10; 2 Cor. 2:14-16; Acts 2, 7 *Pure speech *Fidelity *Modesty *Baptism

17. “Harlotry” used 16 times *Gomer *Israel

18. Betrayal is a serious matter *Deep pain *Punished