Book of Hosea

Author: Hosea 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of Hosea as the Prophet Hosea. The Book of Hosea is the prophet Hosea’s personal account of his prophetic messages to the children of God and to the world. Hosea is the only prophet of Israel who left any written prophecies which were recorded during the latter years of his life.

Date of Writing: Hosea, the son of Beeri, prophesied for quite some time, from 785 to 725 B.C. The Book of Hosea was likely written between 755 and 725 B.C.

Purpose of Writing: The Book of Hosea can be divided into two parts: (1) Hosea 1:1-3:5 is a collection of symbolical actions pointing to the idolatries of Israel; (2) Hosea 3:6-14:9 contains the condemnation of Israel, especially Samaria, for the worship of idols.

The first section of the book displays three distinctive poems illustrating how God’s children return time after time to idolatry. The symbolical emphasis can be seen clearly in the first chapter as Hosea compares Israel’s turning away from God to idols as a marriage to a prostitute.

The second section can be subdivided two separate ways. Three divisions can be seen according to the reign of the kings of Hosea’s day or by the subject matter of the poems. This section contains Hosea’s denunciation of the Israelites but followed by the promises and the mercies of God. Hosea joyfully looked forward to the coming of the Redeemer and is quoted often in the New Testament (Matthew 9:12-13; Romans 9:25-26; 1 Peter 2:10).

Key Verses: Hosea 1:2, "When Yahweh spoke at the first by Hosea, Yahweh said to Hosea, ‘Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness; for the land commits great adultery, forsaking Yahweh.’” How disappointed was God in His children as He saw them time after time turn their backs on Him as they would again worship idolatry and heathenness acts.

Hosea 2:23, “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” This is the wonderful prophetic message from God to include the Gentiles [non-Jews] as His children as recorded also in Romans 9:25 and 1 Peter 2:10.

Hosea 6:6, “For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Jesus quoted this saying as recorded in Matthew 9:12-13 when instructing the Pharisees why He associated with sinners.

Hosea 14:2-4, “Take words with you, and return to Yahweh. Tell him, ‘Forgive all our sins, And accept that which is good: So we offer our lips like bulls. Assyria can't save us. We won't ride on horses; Neither will we say any more to the work of our hands,’ ‘Our gods!’ ‘For in you the fatherless finds mercy. I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely; For my anger is turned away from him.’” The entire Gospel is contained in these three verses as mankind is to ask God’s forgiveness, repent from its wicked ways, and accept the loving, mercy of its Creator which leads to eternal life with God the Father.

Brief Summary: The Book of Hosea is a prophetic accounting of God’s relentless love for His children. Since the beginning of time God’s ungrateful and undeserving creation has been accepting God’s love, grace, and mercy but unable to refrain from its wickedness. Hosea seems to take this act of unfaithfulness personally as he takes a prostitute in marriage.

Hosea shows how God’s love is once again restored to His children and the misdeeds of His children are forgotten with a repentant heart of His followers. The prophetic message of Hosea foretells the coming of Israel’s Messiah 700 years in the future and Hosea is quoted often in the New Testament.

Practical Application: The Book of Hosea assures us of God’s unconditional love for mankind. But it is also a picture of how God is dishonored and hurt by the actions of His children. How can a child who is given an abundance of love, mercy, and grace treat a Father with so much disrespect? Yet, we have done just that for centuries. As we look at how the Israelites turned their backs on God we need to look no further than the mirror in front of us to see a reflection of those same Israelites.

Only by remembering how much God has done for each us will we be able to avoid hurting the One who can give us eternal life in Glory instead of the Hell we deserve. It is essential that we learn to respect our Creator. When we do make a mistake Hosea has shown us that if we have a sorrowful heart and a promise of repentance then God will again show His never-ending love to us.

Recommended Resources: Holman Old Testament Commentary: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah by Trent Butler.
NIV Application Commentary Hosea, Amos, and Micah by Gary Smith.

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Book of Hosea