今天的經文中充滿了視聽教材及有趣的比喻。何西阿描寫以色列國像是一個垂死的人、燒旺的火、沒有翻過的餅、愚蠢的鴿子、翻背的弓、人不喜悅的器皿、和健忘的僕人。這許多強烈的證據使得判決結果必然是：有罪！以色列已經種了好幾世紀的罪惡之種；現在，是他們收割審判惡果的時候了。

        試作以下的個人偏好調查
        你喜歡吃怎麼煮的蛋？
        你喜歡吃幾分熟的肉？
        你喜歡怎樣調製的飲料？
        現在，假設某人邀你到他家早餐，端上桌的是煎焦的培根(或者根本還沒煮熟)、半生的蛋(或煮太老的蛋)、一杯不冷不熱的咖啡、茶、或牛奶。你對主人的「慇勤」作何反應？你還會想再來這　一頓嗎？
        回想早期的以色列，百姓應允全心順服的跟隨上帚(出19:8)。如今何西阿看以色列國的光景就像一塊沒有翻過的餅(7:8)。心地不純、順服不全、靈性冷淡是百姓的特色。難怪上帝對這個與祂立約之國的光景痛心不已。
        將你的基督徒生命想成一塊蛋糕，而你所面對的困境就是上帝用來將你烤熟的熱火。什麼部份是在你自己還未完全成形時就「跳出烤箱」呢？今天何不烤個特別的(希望也是可吃的)蛋糕，在晚餐時給你的家人來個驚喜。當你們一起分享蛋糕時，也彼此分享你們生命中「還在烤箱」裡，等待變成祂所要的形狀的領域。

        播種和收割的原則
        何西阿書八章七節是本書最有名的經節之一，其中包含的一項原則，聖經中，至少另兩處地方也可以找到的:哥林多後書九章六節和加拉太書六章七至八節。你能說出是什麼原則嗎？

火為煉金，如同患難考驗強者。

English

        Visual aids and interesting metaphors abound in the section you will read today. Hosea describes the nation as a dying man, a flaming fire, a half-baked cake, a silly dove, a deceitful bow, a pleasureless vessel, and a forgetful servant. With such overwhelming evidence there can be only one verdict: Guilty! For centuries the nation has sown seeds of wickedness; now it is time to reap the terrible harvest of judgment.

        Try this personal preference survey:
        How do you like your eggs cooked?
        How do you like your meat cooked (rare, medium, etc.)?
        How do you like your favorite beverage served?
        Now suppose someone invited you over for breakfast and served you overcooked (or undercooked) bacon, runny (or hard-boiled) eggs, and lukewarm coffee, tea, or milk. How would you respond to their "hospitality"? Would you want to come back for more?
        Back in the early days of the nation of Israel, the people prom¬ised to follow God in wholehearted obedience (Exodus 19:8). But now as Hosea surveys the scene, the nation resembles a half-baked cake (7:8). Impure motives, incomplete obedience, and spiritual indifference characterize the people. Little wonder God's heart is grieved over the condition of His covenant nation.
        Think of your Christian life today as a cake, and the difficult circumstances you are facing as the heat God is using to prepare you. Where are you tempted to "hop out of the oven" before the transformation is complete? Why not bake a special (and hopefully, edible) cake today, or surprise the family by bringing one home tonight. As you enjoy it together, share with each other areas in your life that are still "in the oven." becoming what He wants them to be.

        The Sowing and Reaping Principle —
        Hosea 8:7 is one of the best-known verses in the book, and contains a principle found at least two other places in the Bible: 2 Corinthians 9:6 and Galatians 6:7-8. Can you state what it is?

Fire is the test of gold; adversity of strong men.