A strong marriage is built on trust and commitment. But trust is broken when one partner is unfaithful. Keep this image in mind as you read the prophet Hosea’s message to Israel.
What makes Hosea special?
Hosea is a short version of the Hebrew name Hoshaiah, which means “the Lord has saved.” Hosea lived and wrote in the northern kingdom (Israel). Many believe that when the Assyrians invaded Israel, Hosea may have escaped to the southern kingdom (Judah), taking his prophecies with him. The first three chapters of Hosea tell of Hosea’s marriage to Gomer, a woman who may have been a temple prostitute in the cult of Baal, a Canaanite fertility god. Hosea’s family life became a living picture of the message he preached. Hosea uses language and images from the Canaanite religion to fight against Baal worship. The many footnotes in this book show that parts of the Hebrew text of this book have been very difficult to translate.
Why was Hosea written?
Hosea told the people of Israel and Judah to be faithful to the Lord, who had brought them out of slavery in Egypt and kept his promise to give them a land of their own. But the people sinned by worshiping other gods. Their leaders trusted in their own military strength and in the power of allied foreign countries rather than depending on the Lord to protect their nation. Hosea told the people of Israel that they were to be punished because they had not been loyal to the Lord. However, he also offers the hope that God would forgive them and give them a fresh start as God’s chosen people.
What’s the story behind the scene?
Why would the people turn away from the Lord God after becoming rich and wealthy in the land of promise (Canaan)? When the people of Israel settled in Canaan, they did not force all of the Canaanite people out the land. Instead, they settled among the Canaanites and began to adopt some of their ways. The Canaanite gods were believed to be responsible for giving rain and making the land fertile for good crops. In order to have good crops some of the Israelite people began to participate in religious ceremonies honoring the Canaanite gods. These ceremonies included the practice of ritual prostitution (see the note at 1.2). Also at this time (750-722 B.C.) Israel was threatened by the powerful Assyrian Empire. Various kings of Israel bribed the Assyrian leaders with gifts to keep them from taking over the land. At other times, they asked countries such as Egypt to help them stand up against the Assyrians. Eventually, these political attempts to save the land backfired. Assyria defeated the northern kingdom (Israel) in 722 B.C. and forced many of its people to leave their homeland.
Most of the prophecies in the book are directed toward the northern kingdom (Israel). But the southern kingdom (Judah) is also named in a few places (5.5, 10-15; 6.4-11; 12.2). Some scholars have suggested that the prophecies naming Judah may have been added at a later time, so that Hosea’s strong message about remaining faithful to the Lord could apply to all God’s people.
How is Hosea constructed?
Hosea has two clear sections. The first section (chapters 1–3) compares Hosea’s marriage with the Lord’s relationship with the people of Israel. The second section contains Hosea’s messages to the people and leaders of Israel and Judah. His words describe God’s anger and judgment as well as God’s promise to forgive the people.
- Hosea’s family compared to unfaithful Israel (1.1—3.5)
- Hosea’s message to Israel, Judah, and their leaders (4.1—14.9)
- Israel and Judah are unfaithful to the Lord (4.1—5.15)
- The people try to trust the Lord but fail (6.1—8.14)
- The Lord will punish Israel (9.1—13.16)
- Those who return to the Lord will be forgiven (14.1-9)
Hosea’s Family Compared to Unfaithful Israel
The Lord tells Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman as a way of showing how unfaithful Israel has been. Then the Lord tells Hosea what to name his children, whose names are reminders that Israel is going to be punished. Hosea is told to love his unfaithful wife, and his love for her is to be a picture of the Lord’s continuing love for unfaithful Israel.
Hosea’s Message to Israel, Judah, and Their Leaders
This second part of Hosea records the prophet’s messages to the people of Israel and Judah and to their leaders. Most of Hosea’s words describe God’s anger and judgement against the people who have sinned in many ways, but his message also includes the hope that the people will be restored to their land sometime in the future.
Israel and Judah Are Unfaithful to the Lord
Hosea tells the people of Israel and Judah that the Lord accuses them of being unfaithful by worshiping the Canaanite idols and by turning to foreign kings for help.
The People Try to Trust the Lord but Fail
At first Hosea’s message causes the people to encourage one another to return to the Lord, but their change of heart only lasts a little while. Soon they return to worshiping idols, killing each other to gain power, and asking foreign powers for help.
The Lord Will Punish Israel
The next five chapters focus on the Lord’s judgment and punishment of Israel. Mixed in with these warnings and words of doom are reminders of the Lord’s care for Israel in the past.
Those Who Return to the Lord Will Be Forgiven
This final chapter begins by calling Israel to turn away from sin and return to the Lord. It ends with the Lord’s promise to forgive and heal Israel. If the people of Israel obey the Lord, the Lord will take care of them. But if they return to their sinful ways they will fall again.
Questions about Hosea 1.1—3.5
1. Who was Hosea, and what did the Lord tell him to do? (1.2; 3.1) Who was Gomer? What did the names of Hosea’s children have to do with the relationship between the Lord and Israel at this time? (1.3-9)
2. Why did the Lord promise to punish Israel? (2.2-13)
3. The Lord’s harsh words of punishment were balanced by the Lord’s promise to help Israel in the future (2.14-23). What did this hopeful future look like? How could Israel regain the Lord’s help and blessings?
4. Why is King David mentioned in 3.5?
5. Complete these sentences: A strong marriage is based on . . . A strong relationship with God is based on . . .
Questions about Hosea 4.1—14.9
1. Of what specific sins did the Lord accuse Israel? What role did Israel’s priests play in Israel’s sins? (4.1—5.7)
2. Why was Bethel chosen to receive the Lord’s warning? (5.8,9) What did King Jeroboam do at Bethel? (See the note at 4.15.)
3. How did the people respond to Hosea’s warnings? (6.1-3) Was their response honest and sincere? Why or why not?
4. In terms of Israel’s history, what is the meaning of Hosea 7.11?
5. Why were the Israelites drawn toward worshiping Baal and the other Canaanite gods and goddesses? (7.14-16)
6. How were the people of Israel punished for their sins? Name at least three ways. (8.1—11.6; 12.9—13.16)
7. Why are Judah and Israel compared to their ancestor Jacob? (12.1-8)
8. How were the people of Israel supposed to return to the Lord? (14.1-3) For you, what does the phrase “return to the Lord” mean?
9. What warning and what promises are found in 14.8-9?
10. Hosea describes idols as images made of wood, metal, or stone that represent gods. What or who might be considered “idols” in society today? How could these “idols” challenge faithfulness or trust in God?