However, there is nothing in the narrative, presented in simple prose, which would even question its literal occurrence. First, some suggest that the marital scenes in chaps. That the faithless wife, Gomer, is symbolic of faithless Israel is without doubt but questions remain. The marital life of Hosea and his wife, Gomer, provide the rich metaphor which clarifies the themes of the book: sin, judgment, and forgiving love. Hosea was instructed by God to marry a certain woman, and experience with her a domestic life which was a dramatization of the sin and unfaithfulness of Israel. Hosea’s message contains much condemnation, both national and individual, but at the same time, he poignantly portrays the love of God toward His people with passionate emotion. The Lord’s true love for His people is unending and will tolerate no rival. The theme of Hosea is God’s loyal love for His covenant people, Israel, in spite of their idolatry. 15:19 16:7) rather than seeking the Lord’s help. Weak kings on both sides of the border repeatedly sought out alliances with their heathen neighbors ( 7:11 cf. Hezekiah’s revival served only to slow Judah’s acceleration toward a fate similar to that of her northern sister. 26:16–21) Jotham condoned idolatrous practices, opening the way for Ahaz to encourage Baal worship ( 2 Chr. Usurping the priestly function, Uzziah had been struck with leprosy ( 2 Chr. the book of Amos) and her breach of the convenantal relationship with the Lord, announcing that judgment was imminent.Ĭircumstances were not much better in the southern kingdom. Prophesying during the days surrounding the fall of Samaria, Hosea focuses on Israel’s moral waywardness (cf. Until her overthrow by Assyria 20 years later, 4 of Israel’s 6 kings were assassinated by their successors. Upon Jeroboam II’s death (753 B.C.), however, anarchy prevailed and Israel declined rapidly. Hosea began his ministry to Israel (also called Ephraim, after its largest tribe) during the final days of Jeroboam II, under whose guidance Israel was enjoying both political peace and material prosperity as well as moral corruption and spiritual bankruptcy. Second Kings 14–20 and 2 Chronicles 26–32 record the historical period of Hosea’s ministry. Thus he followed Amos’ preaching in the north, and was a contemporary of Isaiah and Micah as well, both of whom prophesied in Judah. The overthrow of Zechariah (the last of the dynasty of Jehu) in 752 B.C. His long career spanned the last 6 kings of Israel from Zechariah (753–752 B.C.) to Hoshea (732–722 B.C.). Hosea had a lengthy period of ministry, prophesying ca. Although he addressed both Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom), he identified the king of Israel as “our king” ( 7:5). This would make him and Jonah the only writing prophets from the northern kingdom. Hosea was probably a native of the northern kingdom of Israel, since he shows familiarity with the history, circumstances, and topography of the north (cf. Little is known about him, and even less about his father, Beeri ( 1:1). The book of Hosea is the sole source of information about the author. “Minor” refers to the brevity of the prophecies, as compared to the length of the works of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Hosea is the first of the 12 Minor Prophets.
The meaning of his name, “salvation,” is the same as that of Joshua (cf. The title is derived from the main character and author of the book.