Few Points About Hosea

The Book of Hosea

Calvary Gospel Church Sunday School

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Few points about Hosea:

Hosea is identical to the last king of the Northern Kingdom, Hoshea. However, for purposes of distinction, the English Bible always gives the name of the minor prophet as Hosea. The names Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all derived from the same Hebrew word, hoshea, which means “salvation.”
Hosea was the son of Beeri, the husband of Gomer, and a citizen of Northern Israel. He is known as one of the 12 minor prophets of the Old Testament.
Hosea prophesied about 38 years.
Hosea was the only one of the writing prophets to come from the northern kingdom (Israel), and his prophecy is primarily directed to that kingdom.

Central Theme:

Hosea was written to demonstrate the steadfast or unfailing love of God for Israel in spite of her continued unfaithfulness.

Why was Hosea written?

Historical Purpose: Hosea is a dramatic illustration of God’s love for unfaithful Israel.

Doctrinal Purpose: The futility of formalism, the depravity of man, and the unending charity of God are three strong emphases of the Book of Hosea.

Christological Purpose: The Messiah is presented as the Son of God (11:1), the only Savior of His people (13:4), the One who will ransom us from the dead (13:14), but primarily as our compassionate lover (11:4) and the healer of the backslider (6:1).

Key Verses:

3:1. Then the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.”

4:1. Listen to the word of the LORD, O sons of Israel, For the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no faithfulness or kindness Or knowledge of God in the land.

4:6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

11:7-9. So My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call them to the One on high, None at all exalts Him. How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within Me, All My compassions are kindled. I will not execute My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, And I will not come in wrath.

The Structure of the Book

I.A faithful husband and unfaithful wife ~ personal affection (Chapters 1-3)

Hosea was commanded to marry Gomer who proved to be unfaithful to him. The children born to them were signs of God’s dealings with Israel (1).
Gomer was sinful. She was a harlot yet Hosea was to be faithful to her in his love (2).
The husband Hosea was representative of salvation. He had to buy his wife back from slavery in which adultery had involved her, and yet love her in spite of her sin (3).

II.A faithful Lord and an unfaithful Israel ~ national reflection (Chapters 4-14)

The transgression of Israel (4-8)

Their sins were multiple: Idolatry (4), iniquity (5) depravity (7) and apostasy (8). They were without faith toward God; nevertheless, God remained faithful to them for He cannot deny Himself. Hosea saw the failure to acknowledge God as Israel’s basic problem. God’s relation to Israel was that of love.

The visitation of Israel (9-10)

In the OT a divine visitation signaled judgment. The judgment was because of Israel’s disobedience (9) and the form of the visitation was manifested in Israel’s dispersion (10).

The restoration of Israel (11-14)

Like Joel and Amos, Hosea stressed God’s final restoration of His people. God loves His people with a love that will not them go. He said, “I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love…” (11:4). With tender pity God cries, “How can I give you up, O’ Ephraim! How can I hand you over, O Israel (11:8). His invitation to salvation is extended, “Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God…” (14).