Be God's Glory Bible Reading Plan: The Heart of Judgment and the Cry of Love
- Be God's Glory
- Sep 22
- 9 min read
Welcome to Day 265 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
Hosea 9–11 presents a vivid picture of Israel’s sin, the certainty of God’s judgment, and His relentless love for His people. In these chapters, Hosea delivers strong warnings about exile, barrenness, and destruction because of Israel’s idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. Yet, woven into these declarations of judgment is the tender compassion of God, who recounts His past care for Israel like a loving father guiding a child. The tension between divine justice and mercy is on full display: though God must discipline His people, His heart is moved with compassion, showing that His love will ultimately triumph. These chapters remind us that God’s holiness demands accountability, but His love is unbreakable even in the face of human rebellion.
Hosea 9
In Hosea 9, God declares judgment upon Israel for their unfaithfulness, especially their turning to idols and pagan fertility rites. The people are warned that their rejoicing will turn into mourning because their harvests and blessings will wither under God’s discipline. Barrenness and exile are presented as consequences of their sin, showing that their worship of Baal will result in the very opposite of fertility and abundance. The chapter also recalls Israel’s corruption at Gilgal, where their disobedience reached a peak, and God rejects them for their wickedness. Ultimately, Hosea 9 emphasizes that God’s blessings cannot be separated from covenant faithfulness, and rejecting Him leads to emptiness and despair.
Hosea 10
Hosea 10 portrays Israel as a luxuriant vine that misuses its blessings by producing fruit for idols rather than for God. Their divided heart is condemned, and God warns that He will break down their altars and sacred pillars, exposing the futility of their false worship. The chapter emphasizes that Israel will reap what they have sown, showing that rebellion inevitably brings destruction. Hosea calls the people to sow righteousness and seek the Lord until He rains down righteousness upon them, but instead they have plowed wickedness and trusted in their own strength. The chapter concludes with a sobering prophecy of Israel’s king being cut off in judgment. Hosea 10 makes clear that idolatry, injustice, and misplaced trust lead to national ruin.
Hosea 11
Hosea 11 reveals the tender heart of God as He recalls His love for Israel from their youth, calling them out of Egypt and nurturing them like a father teaching a child to walk. Yet despite His care, Israel turned away to idols, spurning His love. God’s justice demands judgment, but His compassion causes Him to wrestle with the thought of destroying His people completely. He declares that He will not carry out His fierce anger, for He is God and not man, holy in His love and mercy. The chapter ends with a vision of restoration, where God’s people will follow Him again, returning with trembling as He roars like a lion. Hosea 11 beautifully displays the tension between God’s righteous anger and His unfailing love, offering hope beyond judgment.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Hosea comes from the Hebrew Hôšēaʿ , meaning “salvation” or “deliverance.” It is derived from the same root word as Joshua and Jesus (Yeshua), all pointing to God as the true source of salvation. The name fits the book’s central message—though Israel had turned away from God, His salvation and redeeming love were still available if they would repent.
Purpose of the Book:
The purpose of Hosea is to reveal God’s unfailing covenant love toward His unfaithful people. Through Hosea’s own marriage to Gomer, who betrayed him, God gave Israel a living parable of their spiritual adultery in turning to idols and foreign alliances. The book confronts sin and idolatry while showing God’s grief, jealousy, and justice. Yet, the overarching purpose is to display God’s redeeming love—He disciplines His people but ultimately promises restoration, healing, and reconciliation. Hosea teaches that God desires faithful love, not empty rituals (Hosea 6:6).
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The book identifies Hosea, son of Beeri (Hosea 1:1) as the author. He prophesied primarily to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (kings of Judah) and Jeroboam II (king of Israel). Hosea’s authorship is affirmed in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
Biblical support for Hosea’s prophetic role includes:
Romans 9:25–26 – Paul quotes Hosea 2:23 and 1:10 to explain God’s inclusion of Gentiles in salvation.
1 Peter 2:10 – Peter references Hosea’s message of God calling “not my people” to become “my people.”
Hosea is also recognized among the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible and consistently referenced in early rabbinic writings, further affirming his authorship.
Key People:
Hosea – The prophet and author, whose life embodies God’s message.
Gomer – Hosea’s wife, who commits adultery, symbolizing Israel’s unfaithfulness to God (Hosea 1:2–3).
Children of Hosea and Gomer – Their symbolic names (Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi) carry prophetic meaning about God’s judgment and future restoration (Hosea 1:4–9).
Kings of Judah and Israel – Mentioned for historical context (Hosea 1:1).
The Nation of Israel – The central audience, portrayed as the unfaithful spouse in need of repentance and renewal.
Conclusion
The Book of Hosea presents a powerful picture of God’s covenant love in the face of human unfaithfulness. Israel’s repeated sin, idolatry, and betrayal are exposed, but so is God’s relentless pursuit of His people. Through judgment and discipline, God seeks to bring them back to Himself, showing that His love is both holy and redeeming. Hosea’s message concludes with the assurance that God will heal, restore, and once again call His people “beloved.” For believers today, Hosea reminds us that God’s love is steadfast, that sin grieves His heart, and that true relationship with Him is marked by faithfulness, mercy, and repentance.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
Hosea 9
In Hosea 9, God’s character is revealed as holy and just, unwilling to tolerate idolatry or covenant unfaithfulness. He withdraws His blessings of fertility, abundance, and security because His people turned those very blessings into instruments of sin through Baal worship. God’s discipline shows that His holiness cannot coexist with compromise, and His judgment is both a consequence and a call to repentance.
There are no Hebrew names of God highlighted in Hosea 9. The lesson is that rejecting God and pursuing idols leads to barrenness, exile, and emptiness. God teaches that His blessings are never to be separated from His covenant, and when people use His gifts for sin, He will remove them to draw His people back to Himself.
Hosea 10
In Hosea 10, God is portrayed as the righteous Judge who sees through Israel’s hypocrisy and divided heart. Though they prosper outwardly, their fruit is corrupted because it is devoted to idols instead of Him. God’s character is revealed as both just and merciful—He warns of destruction but also calls them to “sow righteousness” and “seek the Lord” so He can rain down His righteousness.
No Hebrew names of God are emphasized in Hosea 10. The lesson is that a divided heart cannot stand before God, and misplaced trust in idols or human strength will always collapse. God teaches that what we sow spiritually will be reaped in real consequences, but He also offers renewal for those who turn to Him in sincerity and obedience.
Hosea 11
In Hosea 11, God’s character shines as both a loving Father and a holy Judge. He tenderly recalls guiding Israel from childhood, teaching them to walk, and healing them, yet they turned to idols. Though His justice demands judgment, His compassion restrains Him from destroying His people completely, showing His love is deeper than human anger. God is holy in love, acting out of mercy even when His people fail Him.
While Hosea 11 recalls God’s saving work in bringing Israel out of Egypt, it does not emphasize a specific Hebrew name of God. The lesson is that God’s love is unfailing and cannot be quenched by human rebellion. He disciplines, but His ultimate goal is restoration, showing us that His compassion and mercy outweigh His wrath.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does Hosea 9 reveal God’s holiness in withdrawing His blessings when Israel misused them?
In what way does Hosea 10 show God as both Judge and Redeemer?
How is God’s character displayed as a Father in Hosea 11 when He recalls teaching Israel to walk?
What does God’s grief over His people’s rebellion reveal about His compassion?
How does Hosea 11 demonstrate that God’s love is stronger than His anger?
What do these chapters show us about God’s patience despite continual rejection?
How do judgment and mercy work together in revealing God’s character in Hosea 9–11?
Questions About Themes:
How does Hosea 9 highlight the theme of barrenness and exile as consequences of idolatry?
What does Hosea 10 teach about sowing and reaping spiritually?
Why is Israel’s “divided heart” a central theme in Hosea 10?
How does Hosea 11 emphasize the theme of covenant love despite rebellion?
What role does memory (God recalling Israel’s past) play in these chapters?
How is the theme of false worship contrasted with true devotion throughout Hosea 9–11?
How do these chapters portray the tension between God’s judgment and His desire for restoration?
Reflective Application Questions:
How can we guard against using God’s blessings for selfish or sinful purposes, as Israel did in Hosea 9?
What does it look like in your life to “sow righteousness” and “reap steadfast love” (Hosea 10:12)?
How do you recognize when your heart is divided between God and other loves?
In what ways can you relate to God as a loving Father who guides and disciplines?
How does Hosea 11 challenge you to trust in God’s love even when facing His discipline?
What idols or false securities might be competing with God for your loyalty today?
How can you live out covenant faithfulness to God in a way that reflects His steadfast love toward you?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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