There is a short introduction available for the book of Hosea. You can read it here.
Key Themes
The book of Hosea is a prophetic work in the Old Testament that uses the prophet Hosea’s own life as a symbolic representation of God’s relationship with Israel. Hosea’s marriage to an unfaithful wife, Gomer, serves as a metaphor for Israel’s unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and sin. The key themes include:
- God’s Unfailing Love and Compassion: A central theme in Hosea is God’s enduring love for His people despite their unfaithfulness. Hosea’s marriage to Gomer, who repeatedly betrays him, symbolizes God’s steadfast love for Israel, even though the nation has turned away from Him. This theme highlights the depth of God’s compassion and His willingness to forgive and restore His people.
- Unfaithfulness and Idolatry: The book vividly portrays Israel’s unfaithfulness to God through the metaphor of adultery. Just as Gomer is unfaithful to Hosea, Israel has been unfaithful to God by worshiping idols and engaging in pagan practices. This theme emphasizes the seriousness of idolatry and spiritual infidelity, depicting it as a betrayal of the covenant relationship with God.
- Judgment and Consequences: Hosea warns that Israel’s persistent unfaithfulness will lead to severe judgment. The book describes the consequences of Israel’s sins, including the destruction of the nation and exile. This theme underscores the reality of divine judgment as a consequence of sin, reflecting God’s justice in responding to the nation’s rebellion.
- Call to Repentance: Despite the warnings of judgment, Hosea repeatedly calls the people to repentance. The prophet urges Israel to return to God, to abandon their idolatrous ways, and to seek forgiveness. This theme highlights the possibility of restoration if the people turn back to God in genuine repentance.
- The Restoration of Israel: Alongside the themes of judgment and unfaithfulness, Hosea also offers a message of hope for the future. The book promises that after a period of punishment, God will restore Israel, heal their wounds, and renew the covenant relationship. This theme emphasizes God’s ultimate desire for reconciliation and the renewal of His people.
- The Covenant Relationship: Hosea emphasizes the importance of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The nation’s unfaithfulness is depicted as a violation of this sacred bond, and God’s actions are portrayed as efforts to restore the covenant. This theme highlights the centrality of the covenant in Israel’s identity and relationship with God.
The book of Hosea is a poignant exploration of the tension between God’s love and justice, using the prophet’s personal experiences to illustrate the spiritual realities facing Israel. It calls readers to reflect on the seriousness of unfaithfulness, the inevitability of judgment, and the enduring hope of restoration through God’s unfailing love and mercy. Through Hosea’s message, the book offers a powerful reminder of the importance of repentance and the possibility of renewal in the covenant relationship with God.
What I Noticed Today (Hosea 1-7)
Hosea 1:1-3:5
The Lord calls Hosea to his prophetic ministry. The first chapters describe Hosea’s marriage and his unfaithful wife as a symbol of the nation of Judah’s relationship with God.
Hosea 1
In verse 1, Hosea, son of Beeri, received a word from the Lord during the time of the four kings of Judah (Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah), and one king of Israel (Jeroboam II).
Note: This would be sometime during the eighth century B.C. (Uzziah 783-742 B.C., Jotham 758-743 B.C., Ahaz 744-728 B.C., Hezekiah 715-686 B.C., and Jeroboam II 786-746 B.C.)
In verses 2-9, the Lord commands Hosea to marry a “wife of whoredom” and have children with her. So he married Gomer and had a son named Jezreel
Note: the reference to a wife of whoredom does not necessarily mean that Gomer was a prostitute at the time of their marriage. Often in Hebrew, we see someone referred to with a title that speaks to their character. For example: “a quarrelsome wife,” or “a wife of noble character.”
Note: Jezreel’s name means “God sows.” In this case, the name also has meaning based on history. Jezreel was where Ahab and his family were killed (2 Kings 9-10). Thus the judgment referred to in verse 4 against the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel.
When the judgment against the house of Jehu came, the nation of Israel would also fall.
Note: The prophecy against the house of Jehu was fulfilled in 752 B.C. when Shallum killed Zechariah, thereby ending Jehu’s dynasty (2 Kings 15:10).
Note: This prophecy against Israel was fulfilled in 734-722 B.C. when the Assyrians attacked and conquered Israel (2 Kings 15:29).
The second child born to Gomer was named Lo-Ruhamah, which means “she is not loved” (some translations say “No Mercy”). God’s love would be removed from Israel for a period of time, but He would show mercy on Judah. Judah would be saved for a time but not by the hands of man.
Note: This prophecy was fulfilled in 701 B.C. when God interceded for Judah and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night (2 Kings 19:32-36).
The third child born to Gomer was named Lo-Ammi, which means “not my people,” indicating that God would no longer be with His people.
In verses 10-11, God reassures Hosea that conditions will be reversed. The children of Israel will become numerous, and they will be His people. Israel and Judah will be reunited once again. The day of Jezreel refers to a time when God will “plant” the people in their land, so the meaning of Jezreel, “God sows” makes sense.
Hosea 2
In verses 1-4, God compares the covenant relationships with His people Israel like a marriage. In this case, he brings charges against the people saying they adulterous. God calls on them to repent and warns them about coming judgment: 1) He will strip them naked, 2) He will make her like an arid desert, and 3) He will reject them as children of adultery.
In verses 5-13, instead of repenting, Israel pursues her lover’s for their food, water, wool, linen, oil, and drink. The Lord will block her (Israel’s) path to her lovers, so she will not find them. They did not recognize that God gave them their grain, wine, and oil. Instead, they used their silver and gold to make idols for Baal. Therefore, God decided to take back His provision for the people putting an end to their celebrations, their sacrifices, feasts, and Sabbaths.
Israel had forgotten the Lord (not like I forgot my keys, but in the sense of rejecting God and started worshipping foreign gods).
In verses 14-23, therefore, the Lord will bring the people into the wilderness and speak tenderly to them, he will give them vineyards, and hope, and they will be like the days when they came out of Egypt.
In that day (the day when Israel is restored), Israel will once again worship the Lord, not Baal. God will establish a covenant with the people that will bring them peace. The betrothal price (what the husband is paid to marry) from the Israelites will be their righteousness, justice, love, compassion, and faithfulness. Then they will know the Lord.
Also in that day, the Lord promises to bring blessings to the people in the form of grain, wine, and oil. He will plant Israel in the land, and the people called Lo-Ruhamah (not loved), and Lo-Ammi (not my people) will acknowledge God, and they will be His people.
Hosea 3
In verses 1-5, the Lord commands Hosea to go get his adulterous wife back even though she loves another. This is another picture of how Israel rejected God and worshiped foreign gods. Hosea bought Gomer back for 15 shekels of silver, plus a homer (six bushels) and a lethek (3 bushels) of barley.
Note: The grain would be valued at approximately 15 shekels, so the full price would be approximately 30 shekels, a common price for a slave.
After buying her back, Hosea tells her she is not to be adulterous; they would be loyal, devoted to each other.
The parallel to Israel is explained in verses 4-5. Israel will be without a king or a prince for many days. They will be without their sacrifices, ephod, or household gods. After this, in the latter days, they would once again seek the Lord and His mercy.
Hosea 4-14
The rest of the book of Hosea expands on the prophecy given in Hosea 1-3. There are three major sections (4:1-6:3, 6:4-11:11, and 11:12-14:9), each of which describes a judgment and conclude with a message of hope for the restoration of Israel.
Hosea 4
In verses 1-3, the Lord brings a charge against Israel for their lack of faithfulness and love, and they did not acknowledge God. Instead, they sinned by cursing, lying, murdering, stealing, and adultery (violating 5 of the Ten Commandments: #3, 9, 6, 8, and 7).
Note: The “cursing” is a reference to calling down a curse on someone and in so doing, used God’s name inappropriately.
Because of their sin, God would bring drought over the entire land, and the land would become unproductive.
In verses 4-11, the Lord prohibits the people from bringing a charge against Him because His charge was against them because they were all guilty. God specifically calls out the priests and prophets for causing the people to stumble and reject God for a lack of knowledge about God’s commandments. Even though the number of priests increased, they were no help to the people. They fed on the sin of the people by being greedy (offering sacrifices to foreign gods).
In verses 11-14, the Lord expands his charges to now include the people in general. They worship foreign gods and idols made of wood. These people have no understanding of God, and with no understanding of God will come to ruin!
In verses 15-19, God now warns Judah not to engage in the same sins as their sister Israel.
Note: These are the first of three warnings the Lord makes directing Judah not to follow in the sins of Israel.
The Lord specifically warns them not to imitate the sins of Beth-Aven and Gilgal in Israel. Israel is stubborn like a cow (and they are stubborn!) so God cannot give them the freedom He can give lambs. The Lord also warns against Ephraim where they have idols; they drink too much; they worship foreign gods, and their leaders are shameful.
Hosea 5
Verses 1-7 contain the second warning. The Lord calls out Israel while telling Judah to pay attention. The House of Israel is a reference to the nation’s leaders who have led the people astray. Specifically called out are the people of Mizpah and Tabor. The nation could not hide its guilt from God; they are defiled, and their sins keep them from returning to God. Their own actions testify against them, and they are making Judah stumble with them. Because of these sins, Israel’s sacrifices to the Lord will be ignored; He has withdrawn from them. They have been unfaithful and have given birth to illegitimate children who did not know the Lord.
Verses 8-15 contain the third warning. The Lord warns of the coming judgment. The warning is sounded in Gibeah, Ramah, Beth-Aven, Benjamin, and Ephraim. All the tribes of Israel will face judgment. Likewise, the leaders of Judah (princes of Judah) would also face God’s wrath.
When Ephraim experiences its sickness (the start of judgment), they will turn to Assyria for help, but they will not be able to help. God will stand against Ephraim and Judah like a lion who will tear them apart, and no one will be there to rescue them.
Note: This prophecy against Israel was fulfilled when Assyria conquered Samaria and sent the people into exile (Kings 17), and Judah was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25).
Following the judgment, God will return to his place and wait for the people to admit their sin and return to Him.
Hosea 6
In verses 1-3, a future people of Israel will call for national repentance in hopes that God will restore them. The phrase “to press on” means to pursue or chase after the Lord. Then the Lord will see their devotion and bless them (like spring rains that water the earth).
Hosea 6:4-11:11
In the second major section of the book, the Lord expands His case for judgment against the people of Israel because of their sin.
In verses 4-11, the Lord accuses the people of Israel and Judah of being unfaithful in their love for the Lord. They are like the morning dew that evaporates in the sun. Because of that, the Lord judged them through the words of His prophets. He desires steadfast love more than sacrifice and for people to have knowledge of Him rather than burnt offerings.
The people had been unfaithful; they had broken the covenant with God just like Adam had transgressed. They were a people of evildoers who spilled blood. They laid in wait to rob travelers. Even priests were involved in murdering people on their way to cities of refuge (Ramoth-Gilead and Succoth).
Note: The comments about the priests may be literal, but it may also be hyperbole, suggesting that by leading the people away from God, they were in effect murdering them.
The nation of Israel is defiled as is Judah, but the Lord will restore the fortunes of His people.
Hosea 7
In verses 1-7, the Lord speaks of restoring Israel, but they are sinful liars, thieves, and bandits. They don’t realize that God sees all their sins. Even the rulers (kings and princes) were full of treachery. The people were adulterers (it is unclear whether this is a literal reference to sexual adultery, or to their worship of foreign gods, or perhaps to both). Their leaders burned with a passion that turned to drinking and assassination.
Note: Four of Israel’s kings were assassinated in a 20-year period between 752 and 732 B.C. (2 Kings 15).
In verses 8-16, Ephraim mixed (formed alliances) with foreign nations. A cake not turned will burn and be discarded. This is what happened to Ephraim; it was devoured by strangers. Ephraim is growing weak (old with gray hairs) and doesn’t even realize it. Still, they refused to repent and return to God. Ephraim calls out to neighbors (Egypt and Assyria) for help, but God will bring them down because they have rebelled against Him. He would have redeemed them, but they lied about Him. They do not cry out for Him from their hearts; they only want the grain and wine (blessings) that God provided. Even though the Lord had trained and strengthened them, they devised evil against Him. They are like an unreliable bow. They will fall by the sword because of their insolence toward God.
