Hosea

1.       First Impressions

·         Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet.

The prophet Hosea is called to speak to the northern kingdom of Israel. He marries a prostitute and their relationship resembles that between unfaithful Israel and God. He starts speaking at a time where Israel is outwardly doing well and prospering but underneath they are living in a lot of sin. In Nelsons Book of Maps and Charts we find that his ministry stretched from around 755 B.C to 710 B.C.

2.       Theme Tracing

·         What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

God’s unconditional love and never ending faithfulness are made so very clear in Hosea as he marries Gomer and their one sided relationship gradually falls apart. In several places we see God’s heart as he says “I want you to show love… I want you to know me… (6:6), “I wanted to restore… (6:11) and “I want to heal… (7:1)”. God cares about people; He wants what is best for us!

Over and over again it is repeated that God brought them out of Egypt and this reminds me that God rescues and saves and wants to continue doing that for as long as we allow Him too.

Something else which stands out is God’s Sovereignty. In Hosea 11:8-9 it shows how God is so powerful that He withholds His anger and that He is above emotion; He is GOD, end of story!

·         What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

Within Hosea’s life and the metaphor we see in his relationship with Gomer we find that unconditional love of God. It is this one sided love which I think is a reason that Jesus came, so that God might be able to restore us to Himself. Within the names of two of Gomer’s children, Lo-Ruhamah (Not pitied) and Lo-Amni (Not my people) one sees judgment and almost hopelessness. However in the New Testament in Romans 9:25-26 and 1 Peter 2:9-10 we see God’s bigger plan in redeeming not only Israel but all of mankind.