The Prophet Hosea June 29, 2007
by Al Maxey
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
The name Hosea comes from the Hebrew language. It means salvation. Although not specifically stated, it is believed Hosea was a native of Samaria (he refers to the ruler of Samaria as “our king” — Hosea 7:5). His family seems to be of significant social standing for the name of his father to be mentioned (Hosea 1:1).
As to his occupation, nothing is known for certain. It seems clear that he occupied “some position or place of distinction.” Many scholars feel he may have been a priest.
DATE
Based upon his reference to the kings (Hosea 1:1), most scholars date his prophetic ministry during the years 753 - 715 BC. The book bearing his name is a combination of many sermons and actions delivered over a period of several decades.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
- Religious — Hosea summed up the religious activities of Israel in one word: Whoredom. As a harlot, she had prostituted herself before the false gods. The people lacked knowledge (Hosea 4:6; 5:4), and were ignorant of God’s Law (Hosea 8:12). Idols had been set up and women were serving in the temples as cult prostitutes.
- Moral — “Their conduct was the very opposite to that which God desired and demanded. The people were guilty of swearing, breaking faith, murder, stealing, committing adultery, deceit, lying, drunkenness, dishonesty in business, and other crimes equally abominable before Jehovah. The picture painted in the Book of Hosea is truly that of a nation in decay” (Homer Hailey).
- Political — It was a period of political upheaval in Israel. Upon the death of Jereboam, several kings came to the throne but were quickly assassinated; some reigning only a few weeks. Tiglath-pileser (king of Assyria) came against Israel and exacted heavy tribute from them. Finally, in 722 BC, the northern kingdom fell to the Assyrians, with many of the people being carried off into captivity.
“These were trying years of political conniving and intrigue, of anarchy and rebellion, of treachery and murder. God was completely left out of the picture and out of the people’s thinking. The prophet’s task was to turn the thinking of the people back to God, but they were too deeply steeped in their idolatry to heed his warning. They had passed the point of no return; they refused to hear” (Homer Hailey).
Their faithlessness was manifested in two major ways:
- Rebellion against all constituted authority.
- Dependence upon human defenses and foreign alliances, rather than upon the power of Jehovah.
The cause for this widespread immorality and faithlessness toward God was two-fold:
- Corruption of the priests, with whom the false prophets were in league.
- Corruption of worship.
THE MESSAGE OF HOSEA
- God, His nature and character. There is but ONE God! He is omnipotent ….. He is righteous ….. He is love! He is pictured as both a loving husband, and a loving father. One of the favorite expressions of this prophet is: Lovingkindness.
- The covenant between God & Israel. Hosea views Israel as the “chosen ones” of God; God had entered into a union with them. The intimacy of this relationship is described under two figures — a marriage relationship, and a father/son relationship. Hosea emphasizes that a covenant always involves mutual obligations.
- Doom of the nation is inevitable. Because of the faithlessness of the nation, Hosea prepares the people for impending punishment. The Righteous Husband demands that the unfaithful wife be put away from Him, but the Loving Husband looks hopefully to a time of restored relationship!