14 chapters. Pick a chapter, then pick a grade.
Hosea 1 tells how Yahweh first spoke by Hosea. He told Hosea to marry, and Hosea took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim. God told Hosea to give their three children names that carried a message: Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, which means not pitied, and Lo-Ammi, which means not my people. Israel had been unfaithful to God. Yet God promised that one day, in the place where it was said to them, You are not my people, they will be called children of the living God.
Hosea 2 describes Israel as an unfaithful wife who chased after the Baals and forgot that God gave her the grain, the new wine, and the oil. God said He would take back His gifts so she would see her need. Then God promised, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. He would give the valley of Achor for a door of hope. God said, I will betroth you to me forever. Yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, in justice, in loving kindness, and in compassion.
Hosea 3 tells how Yahweh said to Hosea, Go again, love a woman, even as Yahweh loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods. Hosea bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver and some barley, and asked her to stay faithful with him many days. In the same way, Israel would live many days without king or idols. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek Yahweh their God, and David their king.
Hosea 4 is God's charge against Israel. There was no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land. God said, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. The priests had rejected knowledge and forgotten God's law, so the people followed them. They asked wooden idols for advice. Israel had behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer.
Hosea 5 is a warning to the priests, the people, and the king's house. God said, I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me. Their deeds kept them from turning to God, and their pride testified against them. When they were sick and wounded, they went to Assyria for help, but Assyria could not heal them. God said He would go and return to his place, until they acknowledge their offense, and seek his face.
Hosea 6 begins with a call: Come! Let's return to Yahweh; for he has torn us to pieces, and he will heal us. The people said, Let's press on to know Yahweh. But God said their love was like a morning cloud, and like the dew that disappears early. Then God said, For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Hosea 7 shows how God wanted to heal Israel, but their sin kept coming to light. They did not consider in their hearts that God remembered all their wickedness. Hosea used pictures: Ephraim is a pancake not turned over, and like an easily deceived dove, without understanding. They called to Egypt and went to Assyria instead of calling to God. They haven't cried to me with their heart, God said.
Hosea 8 begins with a warning trumpet. Israel had broken God's covenant and rebelled against His law. They had set up kings without asking God and made idols of silver and gold, including the calf of Samaria. The workman made it, and it is no God. God said, For they sow the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind. God had written for them the many things of His law, but they treated it as a strange thing. Israel has forgotten his Maker.
Hosea 9 warns Israel not to rejoice like the nations, because they had been unfaithful to God. Their harvests would fail, and they would not stay in Yahweh's land. The people called the prophet a fool. God remembered how He first found Israel: I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. But they turned to shameful idols. Hosea ends, My God will cast them away, because they didn't listen to him.
Hosea 10 says Israel was like a luxuriant vine. The more fruit it had, the more altars it built for idols. Their heart is divided. They made promises they did not keep, and their calf idols would be carried away. Then God called them: Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness. Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek Yahweh, until he comes and rains righteousness on you.
Hosea 11 shows God's love like a parent's. When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. God taught Ephraim to walk and drew them with ties of love. Though they turned away, God said, How can I give you up, Ephraim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused. One day His children would come trembling like a dove and settle in their houses.
Hosea 12 says Ephraim feeds on wind and multiplies lies. Hosea remembers Jacob, who struggled with the angel and wept and asked for blessing. Then the call: Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God. A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand, and Ephraim boasted of riches, but God reminded them that by a prophet Yahweh brought Israel up out of Egypt.
Hosea 13 says Ephraim made idols of silver and forgot God after they were filled. God said, Yet I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt; and you shall acknowledge no god but me, and besides me there is no savior. Judgment is pictured as morning mist and chaff. Yet God also promises: I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death!
Hosea ends with an invitation: Israel, return to Yahweh your God; for you have fallen because of your sin. Take words with you, and return to Yahweh. God answers with promises: I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely. I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily. The book ends: For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous walk in them.