Introduction to Hosea

Hosea was a prophet primarily to the ten northern tribes of Israel.  His ministry began during a time of transition in world powers where Egypt was falling away and Assyria was on the rise.  This made for a time of relative peace and prosperity in both Israel and Judah.  Unfortunately, instead of this peace fostering great gratitude towards God in the hearts of the people it resulted in pride and spiritual rebellion.  They were idolatrous in their worship and immoral in their actions.  They drifted farther and farther away from God so when Hosea comes on the scene he is sent to give a very clear object lesson to the people about how God viewed them as well as about God’s faithfulness and love.  God wants to show Israel just how deeply they were hurting and embarrassing Him through Hosea’s ministry and life illustration.

HOSEA’S MARRIAGE AND RECONCILIATION TO AN ADULTERESS WOMAN: Hosea is called of God to marry a woman of harlotry.  More than likely this does not mean that she was a harlot when he married her.  It seems more likely that God was simply letting Hosea know that his wife would eventually leave him and go off into harlotry.  Hosea obeys God, marries Gomer and has children with her.  However, Gomer decides to abandon the marriage and her children to go out on her own.  She ends up becoming slave of prostitution and is eventually put up for auction to be sold to the highest bidder.  Hosea goes down and redeems his wife by purchasing her and then brings her back into his home as his wife.  This is an illustration of God’s relationship with the nation of Israel.  He called the nation as His own and freed them from Egypt.  He brought them into The Promised Land and provided for them in every imaginable way.  Even still the nation went off and committed spiritual adultery by worshiping idols.  This idolatry would eventually lead the nation back into a state of captivity much like they had experienced in Egypt.  Hosea wants to warn the nation of the coming judgment but also make them aware of God’s faithfulness and promise of restoration.  God’s promise to Israel and to us is that despite our idolatrous hearts and enslavement to sin; He will purchase our freedom with the price of the blood of Jesus Christ.

HOSEA’S MESSAGE OF RESTORATION TO AN IDOLATROUS NATION: Hosea’s illustration is explained in a clear description of what God is doing as well as what His plans are for the future.  Hosea makes it very clear that Israel has been guilty of idolatry.  They had been given every benefit from God yet they repeatedly turned their backs on His gracious provision and went after idols.  Hosea writes a scathing indictment of their unfaithfulness and makes sure that they understand the depth of their guilt before the Lord.  As in every circumstance of life; actions have consequences.  Hosea sets out to let the nation of Israel know just exactly what the consequences of their actions would be.  God would judge the nation in many different ways.  They would suffer from illness and disease, their crops would fail; they would be at the mercy of their enemies and eventually be sold into slavery.  In essence what would happen is that God would turn His back on them and allow the surrounding nations to invade without His protection.  The blessings of God that the people had come to take for granted would suddenly be removed and they would be left at the mercy of their enemies.  However, God’s anger and rejection would not last forever.  He is a forgiving God and, more importantly, is a faithful God.  He always keeps His promises and is not dependent on the whims of men to accomplish His will.  Hosea makes it clear that God has a plan to restore the nation that will not fail.  This is the consistent message of all of the prophets and should be a message of hope to all people.  God is the original Promise Keeper.  He is faithful and will do just as he says.  We may not always understand His ways or even see His direction, but He is firmly in control, faithful and stands ready to forgive.