Hosea
Book Type
The first book of the Minor Prophets; the twenty-eighth book of the Old Testament; the twenty-eighth book of the Bible.Introduction to the Book of Hosea
The prophet Hosea intentionally marries an unfaithful woman to symbolically portray God’s relationship with unfaithful Israel. Hosea’s prophecies elaborate on this metaphor, calling Israel to account for idolatry and foretelling judgment, but also promising God’s faithfulness despite Israel’s mistakes.Hosea the prophet experienced betrayal and anguish because of his wife’s adultery. Yet the book of Hosea has more to do with divine brokenness than with a broken human relationship. Hosea’s experiences reveal God’s agony over his people’s sins. God’s justice requires judgment, but in his love, God promises to redeem his chosen people. Hosea opens a window for us into the very heart of God.Hosea is one of the most autobiographical of the Prophetic Books in that the opening account of Hosea’s own marriage and family form a vital part of his unique message. God’s word of grace and his call to repent are dramatically portrayed and punctuated by Hosea’s scorned but constant love for his wife Gomer and by the odd names of his three children. Apart from this information about his immediate family, hardly anything is known about Hosea. His divinely commissioned marriage to the promiscuous Gomer, which brought Hosea such heartache, seems to have been the beginning of his long career. But rather than ministering in spite of personal sorrow, Hosea found that his troublesome marriage was the foundation stone of his ministry.Theme & Overview
Hosea proclaims God's compassion and covenant love that cannot let Israel go.This book tells the story of a man’s unrelenting love for his unfaithful wife. But according to the NIV Quest Study Bible, the story of the prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer illustrates another love story—that of God’s love for us that endures even when our sins have broken his heart. Here is a picture of God who longs to forgive us when we turn to him. Don’t be shocked by the prostitution, unfaithfulness, and sorrow in this book. Notice the stark consequences of sin as God stated his case against his people. Then look beyond Hosea’s suffering (and God’s pain) to see an example of love that will not quit. Look for ways that Hosea loved his undeserving wife and consider how God does the same for us.The main concern of Hosea is Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s faithful response. Portraying idolatry as adultery is not unique to Hosea; other biblical books represent God’s relationship with Israel as a marriage and depict idol worship as an adulterous violation of the covenant—the contractual agreement—between God and His people (Exod 24:1–8). Hosea explains this symbolism in greater depth than usual—especially in the book’s first section, where the metaphors become realities in Hosea’s own family.Hosea’s adulterous wife, Gomer, has three children—one (Jezreel) who is identified as Hosea’s son, and two whose father is not indicated (Hos 1:4–9). God commands Hosea to give the latter two children names that represent Israel’s distance from God: lo-ruchamah (translated as “not pitied” or “not loved”) and lo-ammi (literally, “not my people”). Just as Hosea’s commitment to Gomer shows God’s ongoing love for Israel, the children’s names ultimately demonstrate covenant renewal: God says He will have pity on “Not Pitied” and will say “You are my people” to “Not My People” (Hos 2:23).The second section of Hosea uses other images for Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. For example, Israel is like a calf that needs to be tamed (Hos 10:11), and Israel is God’s wayward son (Hos 11:1–4). But even amid Israel’s disobedience and Hosea’s warnings of judgment, the book’s ultimate message is a promise of God’s love: He will continue to cherish His people—and when they return to Him, He will restore them.Hosea’s hard-hitting depiction of Israel as a cheating wife reveals the depth of God’s pain—and His love. More than anything, He wants intimacy with His people, but they continually reject Him. The metaphor challenges us to consider our own unfaithfulness to God; it asks us to seriously examine the ways in which we cheat on God. The metaphor also reveals God’s enduring faithfulness toward us: He calls us back to Him and to a more fulfilling life marked by faithfulness.Hosea depicts Israel’s unfaithfulness with a number of images from family and nature. Israel is like: a promiscuous wife, an indifferent mother, an illegitimate child, an ungrateful son, a stubborn heifer, a silly dove, a luxuriant vine, and grapes in the wilderness. Yet Israel’s unfaithfulness and obstinacy are not enough to exhaust God’s redeeming love that outstrips the human capacity to comprehend.Author
Hosea, specifically noted in Hosea 1:1.Recipients
Hosea wrote to Jewish people in the northern kingdom of Israel. These people generally lived in rebellion to God's ways and were known for idol worship and ungodly living. Hosea's example and ministry focused on showing his hearers and readers God's unconditional love for them despite their sin. They were called to repent and return to the Lord in response, showing faithfulness to their God.Date
Hosea ministered during the reigns of six kings of Israel, starting in 755 BC. His book was likely completed near the end of this time period, no later than 710 BC.Background
Hosea is the first of 12 short prophetic books known as the Minor Prophets. In the Hebrew Bible version of the Old Testament, these are collected into a single work called “The Book of the Twelve” (or simply “The Twelve”) because they were originally contained together on one scroll.Hosea prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel from approximately 750 to 715 BC. This was a time of upheaval and uncertainty. Hosea prophesies the fall of Israel, but does not report the fulfillment of the prophecy—which came in 722 BC when the Assyrian Empire conquered Israel’s capital, Samaria. Although Hosea’s proclamations are directed mostly at Israel, the book probably was compiled in Judah (the southern kingdom). This is suggested by the rulers listed in Hos 1:1, most of whom are kings of Judah; the only king of Israel mentioned here is Jeroboam II (ca. 786–746 BC; 2 Kgs 14:23–29).Throughout the history of ancient Israel, few eras were more confused or turbulent than the mid-700s BC, when Hosea prophesied.Hosea began his ministry toward the end of the long and stable reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC). Despite being an evil king (2 Kgs 14:24), Jeroboam was a strong and capable leader who expanded the boundaries of Israel to an extent not seen since the glorious days of David and Solomon (2 Kgs 14:25–28). Jeroboam’s territorial expansion brought great wealth to some Israelites, but left many others poor and destitute. Hosea’s predecessor, Amos, repeatedly denounced the social injustices that produced such a gap between rich and poor in Israel.Israel and Judah in Hosea’s Early Ministry, about 760~750 BC. When Hosea began his ministry, Jeroboam II was king of ISRAEL. His long reign (793–753 BC) brought to the northern kingdom a period of great prosperity, stability, and peace. However, Hosea warned that judgment was soon to come, as it did following Jeroboam’s death.
Jeroboam II died early in Hosea’s ministry, and with his death the comfortable, prosperous world of the Israelites changed forever. Three decades later, in 722 BC, the northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed by the relentless onslaught of the Assyrian empire. During this time, six different kings sat on Israel’s throne. Only one died a natural death—usurpers assassinated four of these kings, and Hoshea, the final king, died in Assyrian captivity.From its founding, the northern kingdom had worshiped pagan gods. Now they turned even more fully to these deities. In their desperate political situation, the Israelites grasped at any straw that might save them from the coming destruction, but they refused to turn to the Lord.Hosea was God’s messenger to this confused, frantic nation in its final days. The prophet proclaimed God’s coming judgment, but he also offered the Israelites a message of hope, imploring them to return to the Lord their God, who alone could heal and restore them.The Purpose & Audience (Reasons for the letter)
God’s covenant with Israel stands at the center of Hosea’s prophecy. When God entered into covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai, he offered the Israelites the incredible opportunity of living in intimate relationship with the Creator and sustainer of the universe. The covenant promised spiritual and material blessings to his people, while obligating them to live rightly before him. He had faithfully kept his covenant with the Israelites and they had enjoyed his blessings, but they had chosen to rebel against him and disregard his plan and purpose.Marriage is the most powerful and memorable symbol of the covenant relationship between the Lord and Israel. As Israel’s loving husband, the Lord provided her with everything she needed: land, food, drink, clothing, and security. Yet like an adulterous spouse, Israel sought fulfillment through the idolatrous worship of the Canaanite gods. These deities became Israel’s lovers, and she attributed all of God’s blessings to them. The personal life of the prophet Hosea with his wife Gomer played out in miniature this same drama of the wife’s unfaithfulness and the husband’s anguish over his wayward bride.Through idolatry, Israel rejected her covenant with the Lord. In response, Hosea proclaimed God’s judgment on sinful Israel. Judgment is the inevitable consequence of sin under the covenant. Yet even as the covenant was the foundation for divine judgment, it was also the basis for God’s mercy. God did not judge Israel simply to punish her; his desire was to redeem her. Divine judgment was intended to turn Israel back to God, her true husband, so that in his mercy, he might restore her and reestablish his covenant with her.God’s mercy is not in opposition to his judgment. Hosea shows that God’s mercy is extended to Israel through judgment, not instead of judgment; the Lord’s promises of hope always follow his judgment. God has done the same thing for us through the cross of Christ.INDICTMENTAccording to Hosea, Israel sinned in four ways. First, they were violating basic covenant requirements of faithfulness and kindness, rejecting knowledge of God and his law. They had become self-satisfied and proud and had forgotten God’s grace. They even spoke contemptuously against him. Second, they were engaging in idolatry and harlotry or cult prostitution. Third, they were trusting in human devices (kings, princes, warriors, and foreign covenants) rather than in God. Finally, they were guilty of injustice and violence, including murder, theft, lying, and oppression of the defenseless.INSTRUCTION Through Hosea the Lord told the people of Israel to stop their promiscuity, idolatry, and iniquity and to return to him in humility and faithfulness toward the law of the covenant.JUDGMENT Hosea informed Israel that their present distress was because the Lord had abandoned them and that further discipline would come. This would include foreign domination, exile, destruction, desolation, and death.HOPE Hosea reminded Israel of the Lord’s grace and love in making them a people and in blessing them in the past with his attentive and patient care and his abundant provision. He was their only hope, and his ways were right. The Lord also assured them that in response to their repentance and faith he would again have compassion on them and redeem them; he would remove unrighteousness and restore the covenant, bringing righteousness and the knowledge of God; and he would rebuild and beautify Israel.Key Verses (ESV)
Hosea 1:2: "When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, 'Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD.'" Hosea 2:23: "and I will sow her for myself in the land. \ And I will have mercy on No Mercy, \ and I will say to Not My People, 'You are my people'; \ and he shall say, 'You are my God.'"Hosea 6:6: "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, \ the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."Hosea 14:2–4: "Take with you words \ and return to the Lord; \ say to him, \ 'Take away all iniquity; \ accept what is good, \ and we will pay with bulls \ the vows of our lips. \ Assyria shall not save us; \ we will not ride on horses; \ and we will say no more, "Our God," \ to the work of our hands. \ In you the orphan finds mercy.' \ I will heal their apostasy; \ I will love them freely, \ for my anger has turned from them."Key Passages (NLT)
Ho 1:1–11 The Lord gave this message to Hosea son of Beeri during the years when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah, and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel. When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute,…Ho 3:1–4:1Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.” So I bought her back for fifteen…Ho 8:4The people have appointed kings without my consent, and princes without my approval. By making idols for themselves from their silver and gold, they have brought about their own destruction.Ho 11:1“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.Ho 14:3–9Assyria cannot save us, nor can our warhorses. Never again will we say to the idols we have made, ‘You are our gods.’ No, in you alone do the orphans find mercy.” The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.…Structure & Outline 1
StructureThere are two major sections in Hosea. The first section (Hos 1–3) is Hosea’s symbolic enactment of God’s relationship with Israel by his marriage with an adulterous woman, Gomer. This marriage takes place at God’s direction and results in three children who are given symbolic names (Hos 1:4, 6, 9). After Gomer leaves Hosea for another man, Hosea is told to once again love an adulterous woman, possibly indicating that he is to reconcile with Gomer and redeem her from slavery (Hos 3:1–2). Hosea’s marriage represents God’s relationship with Israel, while Gomer’s adultery represents Israel’s idolatry.The second section of Hosea (Hos 4–14) is a collection of prophecies articulating the message behind Hosea’s actions. The prophecies of this section are largely delivered in the voice of Yahweh. They use a variety of metaphors to portray the Israelites’ unfaithfulness and God’s judgment against their disobedience, as well as God’s unrelenting love for His people and His promise to restore them.Outline • Hosea’s symbolic family (Hos 1:1–3:5) • Prophecies revealing the message behind the symbols (Hos 4:1–14:9)John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016).Outline 2
Hosea includes 14 chapters, focusing on two general themes. Chapters 1—3 emphasize the adulterous relationship that occurred between Hosea and his wife, Gomer. She was faithless to him, yet God called him to redeem her and restore his relationship with her. The Lord then used this as an example of his relationship with His people. Though they had abandoned Him, He remained faithful to redeem them and restore their relationship. The second section covers the remaining chapters (Hosea 4—14), speaking of adulterous Israel and God's faithfulness. Hosea 4:1—6:3 emphasizes Israel's guilt, and chronicles their many evil ways. In Hosea 6:4—10:15, the Lord speaks through Hosea to call His people to turn from their evil ways and return to Him.Chapters 11—14 transition to themes of the future. God predicts Israel will be restored to the Lord. The Lord would continue His love (Hosea 11), though He had much against the behaviors of His people (Hosea 12). Judgment would take place (Hosea 13), yet they could still return to the Lord (Hosea 14). The book ends with a warning: "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them" (Hosea 14:9).