Introduction to Hosea: The Prophet and the Book
• Hosea prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel during the latter half of the 8th Century BC and was contemporary to Amos in the North, and Isaiah in the South
• Israel is in continual moral decay, worshipping pagan gods
• The “Death-Bed Prophet of Israel”—He was the last to prophesy over the northern kingdom before it fell to Assyria (c. 722 BC)
• It reads as a biting satire in the format of a legal indictment for Israel violating covenant with the Lord
• Hosea compares Israel’s unfaithfulness to the Lord with graphic and harsh relational imagery—some of which is “Rated-R”
• Israel’s unfaithfulness is contrasted with God’s heart for redemption for His people and His inexhaustible love
Hosea’s Living Illustration of Israel’s Unfaithfulness (Hosea 1-3)
• God calls Hosea to marry a woman named Gomer who is unfaithful to him by committing adultery: Hosea 1:2-3
• The Lord uses Hosea’s personal experience to illustrate Israel’s unfaithfulness towards Him!
• They have three children, with only the first actually likely being Hosea’s, and their names have prophetic significance to the relationship between God and Israel: Hosea 1:4-9
o Jezreel/blood of Jezreel—the ongoing confrontation between Baal worship and the God of Israel
o Lo-Ruhama—No Mercy
o Lo-Ammi—Not My People
• In the midst of unfaithfulness, there is the promise of covenant keeping, restoration, and unity from the Lord: Hosea 1:10-11
• Hosea makes a legal case as an offended husband against his wife as a comparison to God’s dealings with Israel (2:1-13)
• God’s mercy and promise for restoration is reiterated (2:14-23)
• The Lord will woo His people back to Himself: Hosea 2:14-15
o “allure” (Hebrew: ‘pathah’)—to entice or seduce, persuade
• God could end His covenant with Israel but chooses to renew it because of His own love and faithfulness (2:19-20)
• Hosea redeems his wife, at a cost, and compares it to Israel’s return to the Lord and looks forward to the Messiah: Hosea 3:1-5
Why This Matters—God’s Faithfulness to the Unfaithful Today
• The example of unfaithfulness through adultery is personal and poignant—We would be hurt by it, and God is too!
• Any time that something is elevated in our lives above the Lord, we are committing idolatry and acting unfaithfully to Him
• Sin separates us from God and from people—it brings death!
• Only through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice—we can be reconciled to God: Romans 5:1-11
• Even as Hosea paid a price to get Gomer back, The Father paid the price of His Son to get us in right relationship with Him
• We are all guilty of this unfaithfulness to the Lord at times, but He is always faithful! 2 Timothy 2:13
• It is always the Lord’s desire to woo you back to Himself—regardless of the offense—He wants you!
Our Response—Repentance and Gratitude
• Evaluate your own life—where is there something elevated above the Lord? How have you been unfaithful to Him?
• Repent! Receive His forgiveness and elevate Him to the highest place of priority in your life—worship Him alone!
• The Lord is always wooing you back to Himself, receive Him and be reconciled to Him!
• Praise God with gratitude and thanksgiving for the loving forgiveness that He lavishes upon us when we embrace Him!