Hey Guys,
This month's Bible test is on Hosea AND its background AND the Apostle's Creed. So let's talk about that.
The name Hosea originated from words meaning "to deliver" and "salvation". Hosea was a Prophet in the Northern country of Israel.
Just a brief background on the North side:
The Israelites there still sacrificed to God, however they also worshiped the god of the Canaanites, Baal, the god of rain and the one that is supposed to ensure harvest. The Israelites worshiped Baal because they too wanted rain and good harvest and thought they could control the weather by worshiping Baal.
What's even worst is that the way they worship Baal is to have *censored* with the social escorts, more commonly known as prostitues, in the temple. Now the funny thing is, Gomer, Hosea's wife, happened to be one of those prostitutes. However Hosea still loved her.
Now there's a great symbolism in this book. Hosea's wife, symbolized the unfaithful Israelites, worshipping more than one god like having relations with multiple partners. However, like how Hosea still loves her, God still loved the Israelites. This whole thing shows the kind of "broken love" between the nation and God.
Even in the structure of the Book, one can find the comparison of Hosea and Gomer with God and Israel. In chapters 1-3, it writes about Hosea's love, Gomer's prostitution, a broken marriage; Whereas in chapters 4-14 it writes about God's love, Israel's unfaithfulness, and a broken relationship.
Anyway here is an important verse in the book (confirm come out for test!)
我必聘你永远归我为妻，以仁义、公平、慈
爱、怜悯聘你归我；
I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness
and justice,
in love and compassion.
何西阿书 Hosea 2:19
Hosea sound interesting, please be sure to read up for this week. :)
Apostle's creed is tested to so here it is.
The Apostle's creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
- maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
- who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
- and born of the virgin Mary,
- suffered under Pontius Pilate,
- was crucified, died and was buried.
- He descended into hell.
- On the third day He rose again from the dead.
- He ascended into heaven
- and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
- From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
- the holy Christian church,
- the communion of saints,
- the forgiveness of sins,
- the resurrection of the body,
- and the life everlasting. Amen
|
使徒信经
我信上帝，全能的父，创造天地的主；
我信我主耶稣基督，上帝独生的子；
因圣灵感孕，由童贞女马利亚所生；
在本丢彼拉多手下受难，被钉于十字架，受死，埋葬；
降在阴间，第三天从死人中复活；升天，坐在全能父上帝的右边；
将来必从那里降临，审判活人死人。我信圣灵；
我信圣而公之教会；我信圣徒相通；
我信罪得赦免；我信身体复活；
我信永生。阿们。
|
Labels: Bible introductions, sermon
