Hosea

Author: Hosea

Period: c.750-715 B.C.

Title: The English, Hebrew, Greek and Latin versions all name this book after Hosea, the prophet whose ministry is recorded in the book. The name Hosea (Hebrew Hoshea) means “Salvation.”

Summary: The book of Hosea describes the patient longsuffering of God towards the rebellious and unfaithful northern Kingdom of Israel. However, it is made clear to the Israelites that punishment will engulf anyone who remains wilfully rebellious. A key theme is Hosea’s marriage to the unfaithful Gomer, who is a symbolic representation of Israel.

Breakdown:

The prophet’s married life: Chapter 1:1 – 3:5

• His marriage to Gomer: 1:1-9
• A message of hope: 1:10-11
• Judgment on faithless Israel: 2:1-13
• The restoration of faithless Israel: 2:14-23
• Hosea’s redemption of his faithless wife: 3:1-5

Israel’s unfaithfulness and consequent judgment: Chapter 4:1 – 13:16

• The guilt of the people: 4:1-3
• The guilt of the priests: 4:4-8
• Punishment for all: 4:9-10
• Immoral cult practices: 4:11-19
• Judgment on kings, priests for leading the people astray: 5:1-7
• Disastrous foreign policies of Ephraim and Judah: 5:8-15
• Israel’s plea and God’s rejoinder: 6:1-6
• The crimes of Israel: 6:7 – 7:7

• Israel’s disastrous foreign policy: 7:8 – 8:3
• Israel’s idolatry and wicked alliances: 8:4-14
• The exile of Israel foretold: 9:1-9

• Israel’s ancient apostasy at Baal-peor: 9:10-14
• Israel’s apostasy at Gilgal: 9:15-17
• Destruction of the Baal cult prophesied: 10:1-8
• The sin at Gibeah: 10:9-10
• The ruin of Israel: 10:11-15
• God’s love; Israel’s ingratitude: 11:1-7
• God’s pity for his people: 11:8-11
• The sins of Jacob: 11:12 – 12:14
• The wicked bull worship: 13:1-3
• The gracious God to bring destruction: 13:4-11
• Inescapable ruin: 13:12-16

Israel’s conversion and renewal: Chapter 14:1-9

• The call to repentance: 14:1-3
• The promise of pardon: 14:4-8
• A parting admonition: 14:9