The Old Testament prophets are divided into the major and minor, not based on the consequence of their prophecy but just the size of the books. As we dive into the minor prophets in this week’s Come, Follow Me we will also flashback to the books of poetry. Hosea loved writing in metaphor. We can all learn more about how God loves us from the words of these prophets.
Segment 1
Scriptures:
Hosea 11:8-9 (God is higher than we are)
Hosea 13:9 (No matter what, God is here for us)
Hosea 14:4 (God heals and loves)
Segment 2
Scriptures:
Hosea 1:2-9 (Hosea’s name and his family’s name)
Hosea 3:1 (Love like God loves)
Betrothed to God Scripture Chain:
Hosea 2:19
Hosea 2:22-23
Hosea 13:9,14
Hosea 14:4
Quotes:
Hosea is marked by some of the most diverse, tensive, unusual, memorable, and provocative metaphors in the Hebrew Bible. (Brad E. Kelle, The Oxford Handbook of Hosea)
Segment 3
Scriptures:
Hosea 14:5 (God’s love like dew)
Words of the General Authorities:
My beloved brothers and sisters, I pray that we may be spiritually renewed by the inspired messages from our leaders this weekend and rejoice in what I love to call “covenant confidence through Jesus Christ.” This confidence is the quiet yet certain assurance of receiving the blessings that God promises for those who keep their covenants and is so needed amid the challenging circumstances of our day. (Ulisses Soares, “Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ”, April 2024 General Conference)
We are sparing no effort to give this venerable temple, which had become increasingly vulnerable, a foundation that will withstand the forces of nature into the Millennium. In like manner, it is now time that we each implement extraordinary measures—perhaps measures we have never taken before—to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation”, October 2021 General Conference)
Segment 4
Scriptures:
Hosea 4:10 (Eating and never being filled)
Hosea 2:5,8 (Where does our bread and corn come from?)
Hosea 4:6 (The rule of exception)
Segment 5
Scriptures:
Hosea 12:1 (Feeding on wind)
Hosea 6:4-6 (Our love can be fleeting)
Segment 6
Scriptures:
Joel 2:28-32 (Jesus is coming)
Joseph Smith–History 1:41 (Moroni references Joel)
D&C 11:12 (Trust your good thoughts)
Words of the General Authorities:
We often make it hard on ourselves to receive personal revelation. By that I mean the covenant promise is that as we honor our covenants, we may always have the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion. But we talk about it and we treat it as if hearing the voice of the Lord through His Spirit is the rare event…[The Spirit] ought to be with us all of the time. Not every nanosecond, but if a person is doing his or her best—you don’t have to be perfect—but if you and I are doing our best and we’re not committing serious transgression, then we can count on the Holy Ghost guiding us…We seem to believe that the Holy Ghost is dramatic and big and sudden, when it’s still and small and incremental over time. (David A. Bednar, “Discussion–Evening with a General Authority”, CES Religious Educators Conference, delivered on February 7, 2020)
Read the transcript here.