An Excerpt....

  

I want to share a little taste of Chains Falling.  This Bible Study is a focused look into the book of Hosea.  It's all about our rebellion and God's relentless pursuit of us; even there.  You can read more about how the study came about here. 

Some things to know about Chains Falling:

• There are 30 daily lessons spread over 6 weeks.
• The workbook has wide margins and space for you to fill-in your responses.
• Each day ends with a journal prompt so that you can personalize what you are learning and more easily make the transition to every-day application.
• The study has a Group Discussion Guide at the end so that you can use it with a small group of women.  In fact, that would be ideal! 
• I added some favorite recipes for snacks and breakfasts at the end.  Most of them are from my own Bible Study Buddies. 

This excerpt comes right out of the middle of the book;
Week Three Day Four.

Take a look.....

Day 4: The Call and Whistle of Redemption

Read Hosea 7:13, 13:14. The word redeem in both of these verses is the Hebrew word “padah.” It means “to sever, to redeem by paying a price, to ransom, to set free, to let go, to dismiss, to rescue, to deliver from danger. The essential meaning is achieving the transfer of ownership from one to another through payment or by something of equivalent value.”[1] We will be spending today and tomorrow defining redemption. What is your initial reaction to this definition? Rewrite the meaning of redeem in your own words.

Now read Isaiah 50:1-5. Find the word redeem. What does it say?

Read Isaiah 50:1-2 again, how would you describe God’s tone and attitude?

I believe this passage teaches that God allows periods of self-inflicted separation from Him. In other words, He will let you walk away from Him for a season if you choose to, but those seasons do not change your identity as His child. How did you answer the question about God’s tone in verses one and two? I think it’s almost sarcastic. God is saying,“Can you prove to me that you no longer belong to me? Show me the papers proving I gave you up! Was I forced to sell you into slavery because I owed someone? NO, you sold yourself! And when I came to save you….you weren’t waiting. When I called out to rescue you, you weren’t listening. Where were you? Do you think I can’t do it? Don’t you remember the stories of how I delivered your ancestors from Eqypt? I dried up the sea with a word! Don’t you know I can save you? Don’t you know I want to?”

What must it be like for Him to pursue His people and call to them to buy them back from their sins, only to find their faith absent?

 How does this fit with your life and your personal relationship with Him?

Now read Zechariah 10:8 and glean a precious response. This is how it should be when God calls. The ESV says God whistles for us, yours might say signal. My sister-in-law has one of those great whistles I envy. I’ve practiced by myself and it just turns into a slobber fest. Her kids can hear it from anywhere and they come running because they know it is mom calling. There is safety and instruction in that whistle, along with an expectation of obedience. Have you ever imagined God whistling for you? This should be on the Sunday School checklist of things all Christians should know! I love this image. When you find yourself reeling from a fall, self-inflicted or otherwise, take heart knowing that as you wait, God is blessing. Be careful to watch for His redemption and listen for the whistle. Before we finish with this idea read a few verses down, Zechariah 10:12 and write out the promise of redemption.

Be strong in the Lord and walk in His name.

---

[1] (Zodhiates), 2353.