1. The Ministry of Hosea

The book of Hosea is the first of what is known as the Minor Prophets. They are not minor in importance but because they are shorter books and the message is more specific. Books like Jeremiah and Isaiah are longer books and contain many themes and so are known as Major Prophets.

The word “Hosea” means “Salvation”. His ministry covers a period of about 40 years from roughly 755-715 BC. This was some 130 years before the birth of Daniel and is in the period between 2 Kings 14-20 and we know this as Hosea mentions at the beginning of the book the various kings who were reigning. Hosea ministered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel while Isaiah ministered to the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Hosea’s ministry is during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah in Judah, and Jeroboam II in Israel.

There was a lack of knowledge of God in Israel with a combination of unholy priests and unrighteous Kings so that the people were perishing. See Hosea 4:6. The people were not being educated in God’s Word and there was spiritual apostasy throughout the land. Hosea was to awaken the conscience of the nation.

2. Hosea’s Marriage to Gomer (1-3)

This is unusual. God commands Hosea to marry Gomer, a woman of harlotry, symbolising Israel’s spiritual adultery. They have three children, whose names symbolise divine judgment:

• Lo-Ammi (Not my people)
• Jezreel (God will scatter)
• Lo-Ruhamah (No mercy)

Gomer is unfaithful to Hosea. Like Gomer, Israel is like an unfaithful wife who pursues other lovers (idols).

Hosea is to pursue and bring back Gomer. God will make it hard for Gomer to return to her adulterous past life. It seems that Gomer likely ended up in slavery or destitution. Hosea had to redeem her for fifteen shekels of silver and barley. All this demonstrates God’s actions and willingness to redeem His people despite their sins.

Marriage is an important relationship that God instituted. It is not only the relationship of a man and a woman becoming one. It is used to symbolise his relationship with Israel and later with the Church. God hates divorce. Sin has consequences, but God’s mercy brings restoration. We are unfaithful but God is always faithful.

Categories: Hosea, Uncategorized