Hosea: Unfailing Love Changes Everything

by Jennifer Rothschild

The book of Hosea-it's a deeply personal and passionate love story, yet it's a difficult story. As an account full of harsh judgment unfolds, we find in its midst a rare and pure gem: the truest and purest of loves. Hosea, an old-testament prophet, preached his own life message using his marriage as the sermon illustration. The study of Hosea looks deeply at that message. It provides background to better understand the intricacies of the man and his message. You'll be guided to understand, but more especially to apply the message of the prophet of love. The book will challenge us with judgment so harsh it will singe our hair-an unheeded sermon warning of devastating doom shortly to come. But it will show us the kind of love we dream about. Be amazed by the love of Hosea for his wayward spouse-and more amazed by the unfailing love of God for His wayward people, and for all people. Hosea showers us with hope-hints and portents pointing to the coming of the promised Messiah.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian Non Fiction, Faith

176 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

Jennifer Rothschild is a recovering perfectionist who has learned to live beyond limits ever since her life drastically changed at the age of fifteen, when she lost her sight. Now, more than 30 years later, she boldly and compassionately teaches women how to find contentment, walk with endurance, and celebrate the ordinary.

She's the author of ten books, including the best-selling Lessons I Learned in the Dark, Self Talk, Soul Talk, the popular Me, Myself and Lies Bible study, and her soon to be released, God Is Just Not Fair.

As a speaker, author and accomplished singer-songwriter she travels internationally, offering fresh, sensible, Biblical advice to audiences who, like her, are determined to pursue healthy and fulfilling lives in spite of their circumstances. She has shared her practical and inspiring messages to arena-sized audiences across the country, and media outlets including Dr. Phil, Good Morning America, Life Today, The Learning Channel and The Billy Graham Television Special.

Jennifer is an avid listener of audio books, a C.S. Lewis junkie, and has a weakness for dark chocolate and robust coffee. She and her Dr. Phil live in Springfield, Missouri, and have two sons Connor and Clayton and a lovely daughter-in-law, Caroline. When she is not traveling, Jennifer enjoys nature walks, and riding a bicycle built for two.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been putting off reviewing this and I don't really know why. I did this as part of a group study with some of my friends and it worked out pretty well for us. We met once a week to watch the videos and do the group discussions (questions and ideas for group discussion were included) and then did the five days of study each week on our own. The daily studies were very short and easy to do. I would recommend this to a group wanting to get more serious about individual study during the week but are apprehensive about the time commitment, because this is a way to get your toe in the water. It's also good if you want to do a study on a lesser known Old Testament book but have never done one before, because it's not too intense. So I'd recommend it for beginners who need a little bit of hand holding.

Now I only gave it three stars because for me, personally, but I do see how other people would rate it higher. I would've liked something a little more challenging in the day to day studies. A lot of times a question would be asked, there'd be space to write down the answer, and then the answer would be given in the first sentence of the next paragraph. Once I realized that, it was hard not to look ahead and be lazy! Also, and maybe this is just me, but I tend to roll my eyes and the romanticizing of the Hosea and Gomer story. I feel like a LOT was extrapolated out of four short chapters about their relationship. I think it's wrong to assume that they had a modern, Western romance with all the feelings we tend to associate with that. The Bible doesn't say any of that. It's just used as an illustration of God's love for us. Isn't that enough, without making it into a romance that fits our ideas of what a good story is? But I get that without it, it would be more difficult to find an access point into Hosea, since it is a difficult book. I guess I wish that a woman's study can be just about the text and not feel the need to include Western ideas of romance.

[Tamara Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd read the book of Hosea previously but it's a great teacher who can make you see and consider things you'd never thought of before when studying a book of the bible. The self examination Ms. Rothschild has you do is often uncomfortable but the payoff is big! Jesus loves us even with all our flaws and waywardness! I like Ms. Rothschild a lot and I can't wait to do her next study.

[Marian Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too fluffy, but still learned something!

[Ronnie Wood]

Loved it!

[Karah Hawkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theologically solid, but not my style. I felt that she tried too hard to be cutesy and girlfriendy.

[Kristen Gebbia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gleaned some treasures from this book. Maybe it was just me, but I didn’t get quite as much out of it as I usually do from a Bible study. I found the answers to most of the questions in the paragraph after the question. Being prone to laziness, that kinda took away the incentive to actually open my Bible up and look for the answer. Being called “Gomer girl” repeatedly also got kinda redundant. I see her point in calling the reader that, but by the end of the study it was rather old. Still, weeks 5 and 6 did have some convicting studies on idolatry. I especially enjoyed the day in week 6 that we studied religion vs relationship and how Rothschild applied that to being “picky” about a church service “should” be.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jennifer Rothschild has a wonderful writing style that speaks in such a clear way to the heart of a woman. This study picks up, in my opinion, where her thought closet, MML and other like studies left off. I loved that it caused me closely examine myself and consider the beautiful instead of the ugly. Readers should be able to recognize themselves in the words.

[Teressa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing bible study! I opened my heart and allowed God to really dig deep within me. He truly used this study as an instrument for me to let to of a lot of shame.

[Carly Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic study into a book in the Bible I've never even noticed! Jennifer is so sweet, and an amazing teacher. She brought this book to life and change how I see God forever - as The Lover of My Soul. It is rare that today's church sanctioned Bible Studies veer off the New Testament into the Old Testament so I was delighted at the opportunity to study this book and it did not disappoint. To say much more than "this is a love story straight from God unto His People" and that I am forever changed would mean I'd have to throw in some spoilers and I hate doing that so I will just say - "You don't know nada if you ain't got Yada!" A quote straight from Jennifer and the essence of the whole study. It's fabulous! You really MUST take on this study and learn truly and deeply and meditate thoroughly on the love of God for each of His Children - that includes you!!

[Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Rothschild is an excellent author and teacher. She presents insights helping the reader view Scripture in a different, more full, light and includes some discussion of the original Hebrew words used in the Biblical writings being studied. She ventures outside of the book of Hosea to tie in supporting Scripture from other books of the Bible and invites us to see God's Love in His Word. While one could do this study without the accompanying video series, I strongly recommend getting access to the videos. Jennifer is a wonderful speaker and in the videos she presents information not found in the book.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not the best of Jennifer’s work, but I do think she did the best she could with the book of Hosea (as it is a challenging book) and the confines of the publisher’s expectations. The study didn’t have the cohesiveness that other studies Jennifer has published and other authors who have published studies under LifeWay. Nevertheless, I did learn a lot about the book of Hosea, and I did enjoy the author’s guidance through the book, despite its weaknesses. This study came to me and my Bible Study group during the COVID pandemic, so our perspectives were not the “norm” for when the study was written. I do intend to revisit this study again when 2020 is but a memory. 😉

[Christy Keeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rothschild is an amazing writer and speaker (I watched the videos accompanying the book) so it is always fun to read and hear what she has to say. She beautifully blends theology with humor, guiding women through the Bible.

I felt, however, that she over-stepped Scripture in some of her analysis of Hosea. She seemed to make a lot of assumptions about Gomer (Hosea's wife) that were neither supported nor denied in the text. There are many valuable lessons in Hosea's book, but it is a mistake to make assumptions when it comes to Biblical teaching.

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give zero stars I would, cliche I know. But it was that bad. There were numerous things the author missed or got wrong due to lack of research. She contradicted herself a few times as well. The accompanying videos were slightly better than the book, but not by much. The overuse of “gomer girl” and other such nonsense was just plain obnoxious. In the 20 years I’ve been a believer, no question, worst bible study I have done.

[Nancy Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful Bible study. This is the first study I have done by Jennifer Rothschild. She has such a wonderful command of scripture. This is a comparative study of Hosea & Gomer (such an unfortunate name) and God & Israel. When you finish this study, you will know you are 1) Loved, 2) Accepted and 3) Complete. I highly recommend this study. Not only is it educational of the period in Israel’s history, but underneath it all is a love story between Hosea & Gomer and God and you.❤️

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this study. It changed my view on what idols really are and to me finally differentiated them from icons. Jennifer's teachings on the poetry and revelations of Christ were completely insightful. My favorite part was when she had us replace the words and insert our names. I would highly recommend this study.

[Julianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4.5. I really enjoyed this study - even though it took me way longer than I planned! I enjoyed the author's insights & the way she unpacked the verses over the course of the book. It also gave me a lot to consider in my own relationships with God and with "things"; realizing the areas of my life that I've made idols of.

[Chanover55 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of Jennifer's Bible Studies but Hosea has been a real gem. Taking the story of Hosea and Gomer and God's message to the Northern Kingdom has been a source of joy and learning for me as well as my study group. If you are looking for a great new study for women, be sure to check out this study!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love Jennifer Rothschild, she has such a great sense of humor about life, she makes the Bible real for me, especially for the Old Testament, which can sometimes seem like an unneeded place to find what I need for my life! Thanks for pulling me back in to God’s word!!

[Jayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this study was okay. It is unevenly balanced, focusing heavily on Hosea and Gomer (essentially the first three chapters) and then rushing through the other 11. I would recommend this as a supplemental study to a more theologically deep commentary or sermon series.

[Sydni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hosea is more than a love story of him and Gomer, but the love story of God and Israel. Hosea is one of the prophets and through Jennifer Rothschild's study I realized how much it is prophecy of Jesus.

[Phyllis Swain · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are all Gomer girls at heart. I love the way Jennifer keeps pointing us to the one true love of our lives, with all our warts, blemishes and issues....He is our one true love.

[Pamela Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first study with Jennifer and. Lifeway online Bible study. Excellent teaching on such a little Old Testament book. Powerful.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent bible study. So thankful for this one.

[Ruth Altman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Bible Study on the book of Hosea

[Mari Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great study on the book of Hosea.

[Amy Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very in depth and a little all over the place for my taste. There were maybe 3 days out of the entire study that I really gleamed something from.

[Liz Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very encouraging, informative, and uplifting Bible study.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great devo/study book!

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Bible study!