Faithful to the Lord

Hosea 1-6; 10-14; Joel | November 7-13

Hosea’s wife Gomer was not faithful to him. Even though he loved her and kept trying to win her love, she would abandon him and treat him unkindly. Similarly, the Lord loved the House of Israel. He kept trying to teach them, encouraging them to repent and return to Him. But Israel abandoned God and they wouldn’t listen to Him. The Lord also loves us and wants us to come and follow Him. How can we make sure our hearts are turned to the Lord and that we remain faithful to Him?

Joel warned of the terrible things that will happen before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to those who are not faithful. He also told of the great blessings and the Spirit of the Lord that will be poured out upon the faithful.

Hosea 1: Hosea and his family are a sign unto Israel—In the day of gathering, the people of Israel will become the sons of the living God.

Hosea 2: Worshipping false gods brings severe judgments upon Israel—In the last days, Israel will be reconciled to God and become His people.

Hosea 3: Israel will seek the Lord, return to the Lord, and receive of His goodness in the latter days.

Hosea 4: Israel loses all truth, mercy, and knowledge of God and goes whoring after false gods.

Hosea 5: The kingdoms of Judah and Israel will both fall because of their iniquities.

Hosea 6: Hosea calls Israel to return and serve the Lord—The mercy and knowledge of God are more important than ritualistic sacrifices.

Hosea 10: Israel has plowed wickedness and reaped iniquity—Hosea calls upon Israel to seek the Lord.

Hosea 11: Israel, as a child, was called out of Egypt in similitude of our Lord, as a child, coming out of Egypt—But Ephraim turns away from the Lord.

Hosea 12: The Lord uses prophets, visions, and similitudes to guide His people, but they become rich and will not wait on the Lord—Ephraim provokes Him most bitterly.

Hosea 13: Ephraim’s sins provoke the Lord—There is no Savior beside the Lord—He ransoms from the grave and redeems from death.

Hosea 14: In the last days, Ephraim will repent and return unto the Lord.

Joel 1: Call a solemn assembly and gather to the house of the Lord, for the day of the Lord is at hand.

Joel 2: War and desolation will precede the Second Coming—The sun and the moon will be darkened—The Lord will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh—There will be dreams and visions.

Joel 3: All nations will be at war—Multitudes will stand in the valley of decision as the Second Coming draws near—The Lord will dwell in Zion.

Watch

WATCH THE VIDEO >

Read and Discuss

Scripture

Joel 2:12–13

“Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”

Questions

How does the Lord show us He loves us?
How can we show our love for the Lord?
How can we turn our hearts toward Him more often?
What are we doing to ensure that we remain faithful to the Lord?

Quote

“May we be faithful and true, doing our duty to move forward the eternal work of the Lord, blessing our Father’s children wherever we can touch their lives.” Gordon B. Hinckley

GET THE FULL LESSON >

View past lessons & resources on our website.

More Resources

Activity

Change of Heart Activity

It’s important to be obedient, but it’s also important to be obedient for the right reasons. Learn how what we do on the outside can help us change on the inside, and how we feel on the inside will change what we do on the outside. (See Hosea 6:6 and Joel 2:13)