Hosea

Hosea

Historical Background and Purpose

The book of Hosea was written by the prophet, Hosea.  Hosea was a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  According to Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts (page 236), Hosea began his prophetic ministry during the reign of the King Jeroboam II (782-753 BC).  Hosea's "ministry spanned the reigns of the last six kings of Israel from King Zechariah (753-752 BC) to King Hoshea (732-722 BC).”  At the beginning of Hosea's ministry, Israel was enjoying a period of outward success; however, they were failing inwardly.  The wicked kings of Israel (beginning with wicked King Jeroboam II) led their people to be wicked as well.  Their wickedness in the eyes of the LORD led to their destruction by the Assyrians in 722 BC.  The book of Hosea reminds its readers that God faithfully loves His people and He desires His people to faithfully love Him in return.  However, the book of Hosea also warns its readers that there are painful consequences for being unfaithful and disobedient to God.

Character and Nature of God

God told Hosea, "Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution.  This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the LORD and worshiping other gods" (Hosea 1:2).  In this book, Hosea remained faithful to his wife, Gomer, even though she was unfaithful to him.  Similarly, God remained faithful to His people, the Israelites, even though His people had been unfaithful to Him.  God told Hosea, “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” (Hosea 3:1).  God is faithful to love His people even when His people are unfaithful to Him.  However, God will still judge and punish His people for their being unfaithful and disobedient to Him.  For example, God says, “’And what the priests do, the people also do.’ So now I will punish both priests and people for their wicked deeds.  They will eat and still be hungry.  They will play the prostitute and gain nothing from it, for they have deserted the LORD to worship other gods” (Hosea 4:9-10).  God is faithful to love His people even when His people are unfaithful to Him.  When His people are unfaithful, God encourages His people to repent and turn back to Him.  God is faithful to love His people and He desires His people to be faithful to love Him in return.

God's Redemptive Plan for Mankind

The prophet, Hosea, encouraged the wayward people of Israel to return back to the LORD (see Hosea 14:1-3).  In response, God will gladly welcome them back and take good care of them (see God’s response in Hosea 14:4-8).  God loves His people and God is faithful to love His people even when they are unfaithful to Him.  Whenever God’s people are unfaithful and disobedient to God then God always encourages His people to turn back to Him and to be faithful to Him once again.