Hosea
“Salvation or deliverance”
Summary
Hosea, son of Beeri, was a prophet of the northern kingdom of Israel whose ministry spanned approximately sixty years during the reigns of Uzziah through Hezekiah, known for his symbolic marriage to Gomer and his prophecies concerning Israel's unfaithfulness and future restoration.
☩Personal History
Hosea (meaning "salvation") was the son of Beeri, and prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and Jeroboam II, king of Israel. This places his ministry roughly from 784-724 B.C., a period of about sixty years. While some have argued he was from Judah, most scholars believe he was a native of the northern kingdom of Israel, where his prophecies were primarily directed. The name Ephraim occurs about thirty-five times in his prophecies, while Judah is mentioned only fourteen times.
☩The Symbolic Marriage
Hosea was commanded to take "a wife of whoredoms" named Gomer, daughter of Diblaim, who became symbolical of Israel's unfaithfulness to Jehovah. She bore three children whose names were prophetic: Jezreel ("God scatters"), Lo-ruhamah ("not having obtained mercy"), and Lo-ammi ("not my people"). The taking of an unfaithful wife vividly impressed the people with God's amazing love in uniting Himself to a polluted nation. Later, Hosea was commanded to take her back after her adultery, marking Israel's extreme degradation and Jehovah's unchangeable love about to restore her.
☩Structure of the Book
The prophecy divides into two main sections: Hosea 1-3 presents God's purposes respecting Israel through the symbolic marriage narrative, while Hosea 4-14 addresses the people directly regarding their moral condition. The prophet touchingly appeals to the people to return to Jehovah, declaring it must be in reality, not merely in outward forms. He uses various illustrations to enforce his words, including Israel as an empty vine and a backsliding heifer. The prophecy ends with abundant blessing foretold for the restored nation.
☩Prophetic Style and Themes
Hosea's style is abrupt, sententious, and weighty, with brevity causing intentional obscurity to call forth prayerful study. He declares throughout that a return to Jehovah is the only remedy for existing and impending evils: the calf worship at Bethel must be abandoned, and unrighteousness toward men must cease. The Pentateuch forms the foundation of his prophecies, with God's past favors to Israel made the incentive to loving obedience. His remarkable prophecy in Hosea 3:4-5 describes Israel's anomalous state for thousands of years and her future restoration.
☩New Testament Quotations
Hosea's prophecies are extensively quoted in the New Testament. His gracious words in Hosea 2:23 about faithless Israel's restoration receive revolutionary application by Paul to the Gentiles in Romans 9:25-26. Christ quoted Hosea 6:6, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice," twice in the Gospels. Matthew applies Hosea 11:1 ("Out of Egypt have I called my son") to the infant Jesus. Paul cites Hosea 13:14 regarding death's defeat in 1 Corinthians 15:55, and Peter uses Hosea 1:10 and 2:23 regarding the people of God.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hosea," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Hosea," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.George Morrish, "Hosea," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Hosea," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hosea," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).