Hosea Simplified

Minor Prophets

We are Now Getting into the Minor Prophets

These 12 Books Make Up What Remains of the OT

In Jewish Tradition, They are Known as “The Book of the Twelve”…

Because in Ancient Times, They Were All Copied Down On 1 Scroll

Hosea

Hosea is a Book of Sermons That are Based Off of Hosea’s Own Marital Experience

TITLE & AUTHOR

The Book of Hosea Gets its Name From its Author

Hosea Was a Prophet Primarily to the Northern Kingdom of Israel Before They Were Overtaken By the Assyrians

Hosea is the Only Writing Prophet Who Was Raised in and Prophesied to the Northern Kingdom of Israel

Amos Was the Other Prophet to Israel, But He Was From Judah

Hosea’s Call to Be a Prophet Was Different From the Other Prophets as Well

He Was Called By God to Marry a Prostitute

His Personal Family Struggles Provided the Illustrations He Used to Describe the Relationship Between Israel and God

His Wife’s Name Was Gomer

Gomer Would Have 3 Children

Their Names Would Embody the Future of Israel

Jezreel - “God Sows” Judgement

Lo-Ruhamah - “No Mercy”

Lo-Ammi - “Not My People”

PURPOSE

Hosea Was Written For the Purpose of Reminding the Israelites and Us That Our God is a God of Boundless, Unconditional Love

Israel is Portrayed as an Unfaithful and Adulterous Wife

And God is Portrayed as a Long-Suffering Husband Whose Love Never Ends For His Unfaithful Wife

We are Going to Read Hosea Chapters 1-3

The First 3 Chapters are About Hosea’s Marriage Life

Then the Rest of the Chapters are His Sermons to the People of Israel in Which He Uses His Marriage as Illustrations of the Relationship Between Israel and God

The First 3 Chapters are Very Important For Understanding the Rest of the Book…

And For Understanding God’s Love and Loyalty Toward His Covenant People

(Read Hosea 1-3)

KEY PHRASES

KEY THEMES

Prophetic Expectation

The prophet expected the people to center their lives on repentance and seeking God. He urged Israel to live in right relationships with people and develop a relationship with God based on faithful covenant love. He advised them to seek God so He could pour righteousness on them like the rain (10:12). In Hosea 13:4–5, the people are reminded of their history: “I have been Yahweh your God ever since the land of Egypt; you know no God but Me, and no Savior exists besides Me. I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought” (13:4–5).

Instead of trying to rewrite history, Israel is urged to start being what their history defined them as being—a people totally dependent on the only God who had ever delivered them. Hosea urged the people to repent or return to Yaweh. Only after they had been redeemed were hymnic praises in order (14:1–3). After Israel is forgiven, a new life will ensue—one in which neither Assyria or any other army may bring fear and sickness (10:1–3).

Theological Imagery

Hosea uses imagery to effectively portray God, most prominently in family images, where God is equated with the prophetic husband dealing with a promiscuous wife. Images from chapter 13 contrast the compassionate husband searching for love. They include:

• A roaring lion on the prowl, with Israel as the intended supper.

• A fierce leopard lurking beside the road ready to pounce on sinful Israel.

• A mad momma bear determined to recover a lost cub and rip open predators.

These images show Israel what is described in Hos 13:9: “I will destroy you, O Israel; who can help you?” (NRSV).

God’s Unfailing Love

Hosea 1:9 announces, “You are not My People, and I will not be your God” (HCSB). This shows that Israel had lost their status as the chosen people of God. Hosea 2:3 shows that God would willingly let his wife, symbolizing Israel, die of thirst—a loyal God required a loyal people. However, the dissolution of the covenant relationship was not the conclusion to Hosea. God loved His people, and refused to give them up (2:23; compare chap. 11). While Israel might chase other gods, Yahweh could not give up his love for Israel (3:1).

DETAILED OUTLINE

SUMMARY OUTLINE

1:1–3:5—Significance of the prophet’s marriage

1:1–9—Marriage constituted, children born and named

1:10–2:1—Message of hope

2:2–15—Israel’s wifely misconduct and Yahweh’s measures to win her back

2:15–23—Message of hope

3:1–4—New marriage relationship

3:5—Message of hope

4:1–11:11—Israel’s moral, cultic, and political sins

4:1–9:9—Sins identified

9:10–11:9—History of Israel’s sin and Yahweh’s faithfulness

11:10–11—Message of hope

11:12–14:3—Israel’s history of sin and God’s enduring love

14:4–8—Message of hope

14:9—Wisdom epilogue

WHY WE NEED HOSEA

JESUS IN HOSEA