Hosea : Twelve Minor Prophets With Major Life Lessons (Series)
Historical setting: Hosea lived in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, about 200 years after they had separated from Judah in the South.
Hosea spoke for the Lord during the reign of Jeroboam 2nd, one of Israel’s most wicked kings. (1 Kings 12) The Lord tells Hosea that the Assyrian Empire will soon destroy Israel. (2 Kings 14-17) This book is split into 3 main sections. (1-3;4-11,12-14)
Hosea 1-3: Hosea is married to Gomer who commits adultery many times. They had three children together. Jezreel, like the city of Jezreel that was slaughtered. Ruhamah, meaning “Not Loved”. LoAmmi, meaning “Not God’s People”.
Even though Gomer has been unfaithful time and again, Hosea is to go find her, pay off her debts to her lovers, and bring her home and remain faithful to her.
The Adultery, the children, the restoration of the marriage, is all a prophetic symbol of God’s relationship with Israel. God made a covenant (marriage) with Israel, but they commit idolatry (adultery) and worship Baal, but God stays faithful and brings Israel (His bride) back home.
The consequences to Israel’s rebellion and unfaithfulness. They will be defeated and exiled by other nations, but they shouldn’t give up hope. God will one day restore them through a new messianic king, from the line of king David.
Hosea 4-11: The cause Israel’s unfaithfulness and their effects. (4-10)
1) Hosea tells Israel that they have chosen to be distant from God because they’ve been unfaithful through Idolatry. As a result they’ll lack true knowledge of God. “Yada” is Hebrew, for a personal knowledge that is relational.
2) Hosea keeps exposing the hypocrisy of Israel’s worship, by breaking the Commandments & rewarding social injustice.
3) Israel is also trusting in their political alliances with Assyria and Egypt instead of depending on God for their protection. Soon, Assyria will turn on them, and devastate their land.
(Hosea 11) This poem shows God as a loving Father, who raised His son, Israel, teaching him how to walk, but the son rebelled mistaking His kindness for weakness. The Father is angry and promises there will be consequences. He also has compassion for his son and will forgive him.
Hosea 12-14: Hosea has allegations and warnings for Israel. He reminds them of their failures from their history. (12-13)
1) Jacobs lies and betrayal. (Genesis 27-28)
2) Israel choosing Saul as their king. (1 Samuel 12-15)
3) Israel rebelling against God in the wilderness. (Num. 12-20)
In this second poem God gives Israel hope for their future. (14) Israel is called to repent, even though it won’t last. God still loves them and promises to heal their disloyal hearts. God describes this healed Israel as healthy tree, providing shade and fruit for all nations.
The two poems (11 and 14) tell the meaning of this book. Israel will soon face real consequences for their rebellion, but God’s mercy and love is greater than all Israel’s sin. In the future He will provide a way to restore all people through a personal relationship with the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Will you worship false gods or believe in Jesus as your Savior?