In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua]
was in the beginning with God.
HOSEA
The Book of Hosea is the first of the twelve books of the
Minor
Prophets in the Old Testament. The name Hosea is a version of the name Hoshea meaning, “He saves”. Hosea ministered to
Israel in her last days
as a sovereign nation between the reigns of Jeroboam and Hoshea. His
ministry continued after Israel’s fall to Assyria. The prophecies of
Obadiah, Joel,
Jonah, Amos, Hosea,
Isaiah and Micah overlapped in an era
from c. 845-670 BC with Hosea c. 758-710 BC.
God used Hosea’s marriage to his adulterous wife, Gomer, as an
illustration of God’s marriage to the sinful nation of
Israel. Gomer was
committing adultery with other men while Israel was committing adultery
with other gods, a comparison of physical adultery to spiritual
adultery. God commanded Hosea to give his three children names that
would reflect God’s coming judgment on Israel in three parts: the end of
the kingdom of Israel, no mercy to Israel while showing mercy on Judah,
and the rejection of Israel as His people. This was a severe but
righteous judgment on a people who utterly rejected God and temple
worship. In contrast, Judah would have periods of revival and continue
temple worship before finally falling away from God due to disobedience.
Just as Hosea had an unfailing love for Gomer, God had an unfailing
love for Israel. Hosea purchased Gomer from the slave market and
restored her to himself with mutual faithfulness. God also promised to
restore Israel to Himself. Jesus Christ, the Messiah,
purchased our redemption with His shed blood on the cross at His
first
coming. At His second coming, Christ will redeem His church and restore
Israel. We have the opportunity today to accept His gift of
salvation and receive redemption.
Hosea 1-3: The adultery of Homer’s wife Gomer; names of their
children; her redemption from slavery
Hosea 4-13: The adultery of God’s people Israel; God’s judgment and
rejection of Israel
Hosea 14: God’s love for Israel; His promise to restore Israel