Hosea, Joel, Amos

Introduction

The final 12 books of the Old Testament are called the “Minor Prophets.” The term minor does not reflect the books’ importance, but refers to their length. This 12-fold batch of prophetic writings may be generally grouped as follows:

Before the Exile: Hosea, Joel, Amos;

During the Exile: Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum,

Habakkuk, Zephaniah; and After the Exile: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

Each of these books is a treasure chest of spiritual insight, filled with practical wisdom for our time. This wisdom comes from the heart and mind of our unchanging God, whose infinitely holy character responds to the ever-changing condition of His sinful people with words of warn- ing, comfort, and love. Through the writings of these inspired prophets in their tumultuous cir- cumstances, we behold the wondrous attributes of God.

Hosea: The Redeeming Love of God

Hosea prophesied to the 10 northern tribes of Israel while Isaiah and Micah prophesied to the two southern tribes of Judah. Hosea’s ministry began during Jeroboam II’s 41-year reign over Is- rael. Hosea watched Jeroboam’s rule fade into the dark and difficult era of Jewish captivity. Ho- sea preached to an uninterested people for several decades, and his heart broke as he watched the golden age of Israel’s triumph turn into the dismal age of God’s judgment. After the death of Jeroboam, six kings rose and fell like dominos. Four were assassinated within 20 years. In the middle of Hosea’s ministry, many of God’s people were carried into captivity in Assyria. Near the end of his life, he watched Samaria fall and the nation of Israel cease to exist.

If ever a book revealed the redemptive love of God, it is Hosea. In Israel’s dark hour, this glorious aspect of God’s character shines with blinding clarity. God’s heart of love was first demonstrat- ed through an unforgettable object lesson (), and then explained further through Ho- sea’s forthright preaching (). When Hosea heard God’s call, he also heard this com- mand: “Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD” ().

A Picture of God’s Redemptive Love ()

📷Hosea obeyed the Lord and married Gomer, who soon sold herself into prostitution. At God’s bidding, the prophet then paid the price of a slave to purchase her back. He excluded her for a time, hoping she would turn all of her affections toward him. She had three children and their names became signs to the Jews.

Some believe these first three chapters are allegorical rather than a description of events that actually occurred; however, a plain reading of the text suggests these to be literal events. Re- gardless of one’s view, any open mind can see the power of the analogy: God loves His people,

And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will

see visions. Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

even when they fall into heinous sin, and He is willing to redeem them.

Preaching About God’s Redemptive Love ( )

The remainder of the book of Hosea contains powerful messages that seem to flow like water from this broken-hearted prophet. Hosea’s preaching can be summarized in this way:

Israel’s Sins Israel’s Punishment God’s Redemptive Plan

Joel: The Renewing Power of God

Scholars consider Joel one of the earliest prophetic books written. The prophet Joel proba- bly wrote during the days of young king Joash (). Joel’s ministry was to Judah, the Southern Kingdom of the Jews. Known as the prophet of religious revival, his message is about the renewing power of God. Joel’s book shows that a broken heart is a prerequisite for blessings from heaven, and may be outlined quite simply:

Joel’s Call to Ministry

God’s Call to Repentance God’s Promise of Blessing

The book opens with the description of a horrendous invasion of the land by four kinds (and potentially 40 varieties) of locusts: cutters, swarmers, hoppers, and destroyers (, ESV). These menacing plant predators commonly swarmed in the millions—their advances were heard for miles and sounded like a roaring fire. They filled the air like an ominous cloud and darkened the sunlight like a solar eclipse. No green plant survived their advance. Some types of locusts even stripped the bark off the trees (). In Joel’s day, people tried, unsuccessfully, to defend their crops by digging trenches, kindling fires, and beating and burning the insects which had been piled into into heaps.

After the locusts had devastated the land, it took years to recover (). The plague of locusts affected everyone: priests no longer had a source for drink offerings; cattle and sheep had no grass on which to graze; the drunkards had no wine to drink. All the people, young and old, were affected (). Joel called for a fast—a time of mourning and repentance:

“‘Even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gra- cious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing” ().

To the repentant, the Lord promised to pour out the early and latter rain, and that HE would re- store what the locusts had eaten (, ). Additionally, He pledged to pour out a spiritual

“The days are coming,” de- clares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.”

blessing. A description of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by signs of the “Day of the LORD” (the day of God’s great judgment upon the world), may be found in . This promised restoration was fulfilled, in part, on the day of Pentecost. (See , where Peter quoted these very words from Joel). There is also a sense of fulfillment that reaches yet further into the the future, in which the prophet points to the blessings and judgments yet to come. It is wonderful to ponder the truth that God’s redeeming love (as found in Hosea) is cou- pled with the renewing power of God through the Holy Spirit (as found in Joel), which is power- ful enough to restore us during the most bleak and dismal of situations.

Amos: The Righteous Judgement of God

Amos, a native of Judah, was sent primarily to prophesy to Israel. Living during Hosea’s time, Amos likely found support by ministering alongside this fellow prophet. He was not descended from a line of prophets nor was he a priest (). He was a simple sheepherder and dress- er of the sycamore trees. However, when God’s Spirit called Amos and anointed this man of God for the task, he became one of the boldest prophets, thundering God’s messages to the people. Amos delivered warnings to the nations (), sermons to Israel (), and visions for all (). If Hosea’s message of God’s redeeming love did not pull hearts toward God, per- haps Amos’ message of God’s righteous judgment would shock souls away from destruction. God will use any means possible to call us to Himself.

Final Thought

It is helpful to study the minor prophets together as they line up chronologically. By comparing the primary message of those who ministered before the exile—Hosea, Joel, and Amos—we have a composite message to anyone who is not right with God. God wants us to know, first, that He loves us passionately. If we are not responsive to His wooing love, He will warn us of discipline to come with the promise of restoration. If we have still not repented of our hardness before our Creator, He could bring judgment—not to destroy us but to restore us to Himself (). Taken together, the message of these books is clear: We need to repent! God wants us to ask ourselves honestly if our hearts are right with Him today.

Spending Time With God

This lesson, in the series on “God’s Attributes in Focus,” is designed to supplement your personal and small group Bible study. Devotion questions are for your personal study. Discussion ques- tions are for small groups. Members who answer the questions ahead of time can bring more insight into their small group meeting. The digging deeper questions are for those who wish for more personal or small group study. As you spend time with God, may His Word enrich your life and enhance your daily walk with Him. BEFORE YOU BEGIN, PRAY.

Devotion (Personal Study)

1. Read the commentary portion of this study guide. Write down one important thing you learned or one question that remains unanswered for you regarding the books of Hosea, Joel, and Amos.

2. Read . Who was Gomer?

What object lesson was put forth in Hosea’s marriage to Gomer?

3. Read . From this text:

a. What do you learn about God’s heart of love for His peo- ple?

b. Contemplate God’sperspectiveattimeswhenyousinagainst Him. Record your thoughts, or perhaps a prayer of confession.

4. From :

a. What was Hosea to do now?

b. How would the prophet’s actions speak to the Israelites?

Can you find application of this same message for the Church today?

5. Read the remainder of the book of Hosea (). Rec- ognize the passion and love of God for His people and record specific insights you would like to remember about God’s love.

Discussion (Small Group Study)

6. Read . The devastation and destruction described here can be applied to the fall of Jerusalem in Daniel’s time. It also has prophetic significance for the backsliding and/or persecution of God’s people through the ages, until the end of time. Looking at , provide some personal application as well:

a. Describe an experience when locusts or other insects have destroyed your crops, garden plants, flowers, or grass.

b. Imagine if your whole livelihood and survival depended on farming. If locusts symbolize destroyers of life, what are some of the locusts in your life? Identify things that drain your hope, vitality, and sense of purpose.

7. Read , a call to repentance.

a. Define repentance (try a Bible dictionary).

b. Can you identify some Biblical examples of repentance?

d. Can you think of a time when repentance brought refresh- ing and renewal in your life? If you’re willing, share it with the group.

8. Read .

a. Compare with . In what sense has this prophecy been fulfilled already?

b. Compare with and . In what sense is this prophecy yet to be fulfilled?

c. Can you think of a time (a church service, a Christian confer- ence, or another setting) where you have seen the Holy Spirit poured out on God’s people?

Can you describe that situation?

How did it affect you?

9. Chapter 3 of Joel describes a great battle that students of the Bible often link to the “Battle of Armageddon,” a final, cataclys- mic war between the nations to be fought in the Middle East before the return of Christ. Have you read books or seen mov- ies that dramatize wild and crazy “end-time events” associated with Biblical prophecy?

Do you think the Lord wants this to be our primary focus?

📷If not, what do you think we should focus on as we contem- plate the coming end of the world?

Digging Deeper (Further Study)

10. Skim through the book of Amos. What is the primary theme of this book?

11. How do you think people of our day would respond to a preacher like Amos?