As Hosea preaches from his marriage to an adulterous woman, he speaks against the spiritual adultery Israel has committed against the LORD by their idolatry. Although the LORD was always the source of all Israel’s good gifts, they failed to realize this and foolishly looked to Baal for blessing. In response, the LORD promises that He will take such blessings away and make the Promised Land a wilderness. Through the coming Assyrian conquest of Samaria, the LORD will show Israel the futility of trusting in idols with the goal of drawing Israel back to Himself. Rev. Ben Dose, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona, IA and St. John Lutheran Church in Burt, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 2:1-13. To learn more about Trinity and St. John Lutheran, visit trinityalgona.org and stjohnsburt.org.“Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]