The Book of Joel: Chapter 1

This chapter describes the prophets warning voice of imenent judgements but also a sincere desire for Judah to repenet.

Verse 4

Joel used the following imagery of a famine to describe Judah's future. The following terms are used to describe the different stages of development in the life of a locust.

• Palmerworm in Hebrew for gazam, which means "gnawer"
  
• Locust in Hebrew is arbeth, which means "many"
  
• Cankerworm in Hebrew is yeleq, which means "licker"
  
• Caterpillar in Hebrew is chasil, which means "consumer"

The LDS Institute Old Testament Manual says...

"Many scholars believe that the palmerworm was a metaphor for the Assyrian-Babylonian invasions. What these two empires left, the Medes and Persians "ate" during their invasions (Locust)...Then the cankerworm would represent the invasion and suppression by Greece (Macedonia) under Alexander the Great, which leaves the caterpillar to represent the invasion and destruction of Judah by Rome. These references seem also to apply to the coming battle of Armageddon."

Verses 5-6

The Israelites were referred to as "drunkards". In fact, being drunken is the only sin mentioned in the book of Joel. However, in it's use, drunken means sin and drunkard means sinner. Or in other words, they were drunken with their own iniquities, which were many. This includes all forms of self indulgence. Telling them to "weep" and "howl" was Joel's way of telling them to show remorse, repent and cry unto the Lord for forgiveness. Joel also told them that a strong nation, without number (many people), will come upon them. He told them that their "teeth are the teeth of a lion" which means they were vicious and fearsome.

Verses 7-8

Vines and fig trees were considered symbols of goodness and choiceness. This verse says that this great nation will lay his vines waste (or lay his people waste). When the bark is pulled off of a tree, the tree usually dies. Saying the nation had "barked my fig tree" is saying it will kill many in Israel and verse 8 describes the lament because of the death, destruction and desolation.

Verse 10

Saying the "field is wasted" means that Israel is no longer fruitful, or at least fruitful to anything that is satisfactory to God.

Verse 11

The husbandmen and vinedressers are those who care for the fields. He is saying they should be ashamed for not taking care of them properly. This can apply to us when we are stewards over offices or people. How well are we taking care of the things and people the Lord puts in our charge.

Verse 14

Joel tries to convince them to not only repent and pray for forgiveness, but also to fast. Not just prayer and fasting, but a time of national prayer and fasting.

Verse 16

This verse describes the loss of temple worship. This is a loss of "meat", which is spiritual sustenance and a loss of "joy" and "gladness".

The Book of Hosea: Chapter 14

After 13 chapters of the wickedness and judgements regarding the wicked nation of Israel, the last chapter of Hosea talks about an eventual repentance of Israel and a turning back toward the Lord.

Verse 1

This is a plea for Israel to turn to the Lord.

Verse 2

Saying that Ephraim will say "we render the calves of our lips" means that they will give forth their best efforts and speak righteously. Young, strong calves were considered the best sacrifices of the mosaic law. The better the calf, the bigger the sacrifice on the part of the offerer. By rendering the calves of our lips we pledge that our thoughts and words will be good ones.

Verse 3

This verse indicates that Ephraim will eventually realize their worship is idolatrous and will turn away from their idols.

Verses 4-9

The rest of the verses describe more of the healing that will take place and the course correction that Israel will take. It's important to note that their behavior will change before the Lord's treatment of them changes. Obedience always precedes the blessing.

The Book of Hosea: Chapter 13

Israel's sins (and ours) bring upon us the judgements of God. This chapter also talks about the major roles that Jesus has played (and still is playing) in the plan of salvation. He is the redeemer of both spiritual and physical death.

Verse 2

This verse is pretty cut and dry. The people of Israel are very wicked. They are worshipping idols and trusting their own understandings, which are far from the Lord.

Verse 3

This verse compares Israel to four things that do not last very long. All of these things disappear quickly. The Lord was telling them that their spiritual attention span was the same. They started out righteous and quickly forgot the Lord. 

• Morning clouds
  
• Early dew
  
• Chaff that is driven in the whirlwind
  
• Smoke out of the chimney
  

Verses 4-6

The Lord reminded them of their bondage in Egypt and his deliverance. He also said that "according to their pasture, so were they filled". This basically means they only remembered him when they were needy. But as soon as they prospered they forgot him. This can also apply to us. A good question to ask ourselves is how grateful we are. Are our prayers just as fervent when we are prospering as they are when we are struggling?

Verse 9

The Lord points out that Israel brought these judgements upon themselves and that he alone is the only thing that can help them.

Verse 14

This is a great verse that describes that Christ will help us to overcome physical death and spiritual death. Saying that "repentance shall be hid from my eyes" is describing after the judgement, that repentance will no longer be necessary.

The Book of Hosea: Chapter 10

This chapter (and a few other scriptural references included) teaches us the relationship between reaping and sowing...obedience and blessings.

Verse 1

Remember in chapter 9, verse 10 the Lord said that Israel used to be good and choice, "like grapes in the wilderness? Here he is saying that Israel is an empty vine. Hosea also tells them that they bring fruit unto themselves. Israel was not bringing forth any fruit that the Lord approved of. They were worshipping for themselves, how they wanted to worship.

Verse 2

This indicates that the Lord will "break" and "spoil" their false idols and alters mentioned in verse 1.

Verse 12

This is a great verse that describes the relationship between obedience (or lack of) and consequences (good or bad). Basically, we reap what we sow. See also D&C 130:20-21 for an even better description of this. Also read D&C 78:7.

The Book of Hosea: Symbolic Names

The symbolic names given to the children in chapter one are important. It's also important to understand that just like the symbolic marriage of Hosea to his harlotrous wife would result in unfavorable judgements, the things we set our hearts upon, if evil, will also result in unfavorable judgements for us. This applies to us as individuals or as nations.

Hosea's symbolic children represent the judgements that are to come to Israel for their wickedness and betrayal. 

Jezreel (Pictured Above)

The first child was called Jezreel. "Jezreel" means "God will scatter" or "God will sow". Jezreel is a valley that has seen many bloody battles. It is also the future sight of the Battle of Armageddon. The scattering and sowing could mean two things (and possibly both). 

1) The scattering of the tribes of Israel for wickedness

2) When a crop is sown and then nourished, it grows into a fruitful plant. This prophecy could be talking about both the negative immediate future of Israel and the positive future state of Israel.

Lo-ruhamah

The second child is called Lo-ruhamah, which in Hebrew means "not having obtained mercy". The justice of God must always be met. The Lord would eventually pay the price for the sins of mankind, but the price we then must pay is repentance, a broken heart and a contrite spirit. The Atonement was as effective then as it is now, but Israel was not taking advantage of it. They were not repenting and not forsaking. Therefore, they would not receive the mercy they could have received.

Lo-ammi

The third child is called Lo-ammi, which in Hebrew means "not my people". This sounds pretty harsh but we know that the Israelites were not acting in a manner that made it seem like Jehovah was their God. In fact, they were openly worshipping other gods. A great parallel to this is found in Matthew, chapter 25, verses 1-12, the parable of the Ten Virgins. The 5 that were wise took oil from their lamps and the 5 that were not wise did not take oil. This is representative of being prepared to meet God. Realizing they didn't have any oil, and after unsuccessfully trying to get oil from the 5 wise virgins, they went away to buy oil and while they were away the bridegroom came and the door was shut. Then in verses 11 and 12 it says "Afterward came also the other virgins (unwise) saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not." Unfortunately, the Lord will not consider us His people or His children if we don't serve Him in our lifetimes.

But, for a more positive end to the post, see Hosea 1:7 & 10 for some promised blessings to Israel, not blessings they'll receive in their sinful state, but blessings they'll receive after they have become righteous.