Read the Bible in a Year: Week 11 – Isaiah 64-66, Hosea, Romans 1-12

During week 11 of reading through the Bible in a year, we will finish the book of Isaiah, read the entire book of Hosea, and begin the book of Romans.

Isaiah: Choice, Judgement, and Salvation

In the book of Isaiah, we are down to the last three chapters that deal with themes of the Father shaping us like clay and being grieved by our sin, as well as themes of judgement, salvation, and the choices that we have about where we make our final home. Chapter 66 concludes with a choice of choosing to follow God and receive his blessing, or to rebel against God and receive his judgement. God dearly wants us to choose blessing, but he doesn’t force it. Consider that as you wonder why there is so much sin in the world.

Read: More blog posts on the book of Isaiah.

Hosea: Exploring God’s Profound Love

The book of Hosea is a model of God’s love for us. In chapter 1, God tells Hosea to intentionally marry an unfaithful wife. Each time she is unfaithful, Hosea is asked to forgive her and continue loving her. As the book progresses, comparisons are made to how God treats us, his unfaithful bride. We continue to rebel against God, and while God does send punishment, he also has an amazing capacity for forgiveness. At the end of the book, Hosea announces that both Samaria and Israel will see God’s wrath, but that Israel will eventually see God’s forgiveness. Again, it goes back to the choice presented in Isaiah. Do we want to accept this forgiveness like the Israelites, or die in our stubbornness and lack of repentance like the Samaritans?

Read: More blog posts on the book of Hosea.

Romans: Investigating the Gospel Message

In the book of Romans, we see that Paul has a desire to see the Roman church thrive, a wish to meet them, and lots of advice regarding their faith in Jesus and other points of doctrine. As you read this book, really consider some of the main points of the Gospel message:

Romans 3:23 (NIV) – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 5:8 (NIV) – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 6:23 (NIV) – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) – If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Read: More blog posts on the book of Romans.

Flexible Plan: Reading for Week 11

If you are following the flexible plan for reading the Bible in a year, here is your reading assignment. You can break up the reading however you like throughout the week!