Why would God ask one of his prophets to marry a prostitute? Because he wanted to teach Hosea and Israel a painful yet joyous lesson. Derek Kidner takes us through the unfolding story of Hosea and Gomer, explaining the basic message, pointing out its subtleties, and encouraging us to live lives worthy of the God who loves the loveless.

The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context. To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections: Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context. Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible. Contemporary Significance. This section identifies comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved. This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.

A 7-session Bible study to discover the God who cherishes you.

Hosea shows us how God feels about His people Hosea shows us how God feels about us Let God's passion stir your passion

J. Andrew Dearman considers the prophetic figure's historical roots in the covenant traditions of ancient Israel, includes his own translation of the biblical text, and masterfully unpacks Hosea's poetic, metaphorical message of betrayal, judgment, and reconciliation. --from publisher description

A fascinating commentary on one of the most difficult of the Old Testament prophets.

One in a series of twenty Old Testament verse-by-verse commentary books edited by Max Anders. Includes discussion starters, teaching plan, and more. Great for lay teachers and pastors alike.