What is the book of Hosea?
Hosea is a book of Israel’s prophets. It’s a collection of messages from God and stories about Hosea’s life.
Most of the messages were about the people and leaders of the northern kingdom.
These messages were spoken over a period of many years. Hosea prophesied when the last seven kings of the northern kingdom ruled. He prophesied from around the year 750 BC to around the year 722 BC.
The messages talk about events from those years. This includes when Assyria took control of the northern kingdom in 722 BC. They also talk about events that haven’t happened yet.
The messages were written down as poems.
It’s thought that Hosea wrote down parts of this book. Other parts were written down by other Israelites.
New Testament writers understood that some of Hosea’s prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus’ life and work.
Who was this book written for?
For the people of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Why was Hosea written?
To accuse the people and leaders of the northern kingdom. They had not been faithful to the Mount Sinai covenant.
To urge them to be faithful to God. If they were faithful to him, God wouldn’t bring judgement against them.
To give them hope for their future after the time of judgement. The hope was based on God’s faithful love for them.
Main ideas
Hosea’s marriage was a picture of the relationship between God and the northern kingdom.
The covenant curses would come to the people and leaders of the northern kingdom. They would be destroyed by Assyrian armies. This would be God’s judgement against them.
God longed for his people to receive his love freely. He promised that this would happen one day in the future.
Outline
Hosea shares God’s messages through prophetic actions (1 – 3).
God accuses and warns the northern kingdom (4 – 14).