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HOSEAIntroduction: 1. There is little known about the prophet Hosea’s home or his occupation. 2. The name Hosea means “Salvation”, “Deliverance”, “Help” or “God is Salvation”. 3. Some think that he was from the north, possibly from Samaria, and that he was a priest, but this is uncertain. 4. Hosea was a prophet of the Northern Kingdom. He does speak of the King of Israel as “our” King. Chapter 7:5. 5. Hosea identifies the kings reigning in Israel and Judah during the time of his prophecy about 760-720 B.C. 6. The Kings of Judah as listed contemporary with Hosea are: Uzziah (787-735 B.C.); Jotham (749-734 B.C.); Ahaz (741-726 B.C.); and Hezekiah (726-697 B.C.). 7. “Some of these dates overlap, and are confusing. The Maximum period, thus, in which Hosea could have prophesied would be 790-697 B.C., and the minimum period about 750-725. Assuming that his ministry extended into some considerable part of the reigns of both Jeroboam and Hezekiah, it would be safe, perhaps, to place him at about 760-720”. (Hailey’s Bible Handbook) 8. Hosea lists only Jeroboam II (790-749 B.C.) as contemporary with him, yet, during the reign of the kings listed from Judah the following kings reigned in Israel: Jeroboam II (790-749 B.C.); Zechariah (748 B.C.). Reigned six months. Was killed by Shallum. Shallum (748 B.C.) Reigned only one month. Was killed by Menahem. Menahem (748-738 B.C.) Unspeakably cruel. Was a puppet of Assyria. Pekahiah (738 –736 B.C.) Was killed by Pekah. Pekah (748-730 B.C.). Was killed by Hoshea. Galilee captivity (734). Hoshea (730-721 B.C.). Fall of Samaria (721 B.C.) End of Kingdom. The prophet Hosea was apparently contemporary with all of these. I. HOSEA’S MARRIAGE:
A. The prophet was directed by God to take a “wife of
whoredom”. 1:2-3.
1. There has been a great deal said with regard to
whether she was a harlot with children by
whoredom when Hosea married her, or whether she
was a woman reared in the environment of
Israel’s idolatry, which led her into whoredom
after her marriage.
2. “From the parallel between Hosea and Gomer, and
Jehovah and Israel, it seems more probable that
she was not a harlot at the time, but a typical
daughter of the age, who after her marriage, was
so influenced by her surroundings and
environment that she became immoral.” (Hailey)
3. Thus, under the figure of a wife proving false
to her marriage vows, and bearing children that
would follow her example, the prophet represents
the shameful idolatry of the ten tribes, which
provoked God to cut them off.
4. Gomer bore the prophet three children, to whom
were prophetic names by God.
5. The first – a son – was named Jezreel, which
meant “God will scatter”, or “will sow”.
6. The second child – a daughter – was named Lo-
ruhamah, which means, “That hath not obtained
mercy”, or “no mercy”.
a. God would have no more mercy on the house of
Israel; but He would have mercy on the house
of Judah. 1:6-7.
b. God here makes a distinction between the two,
but a distinction based on the difference in
righteousness found in the two.
7. The third child – another son – was named Lo-
Ammi, which means “not my people”. 1:8-9.
a. God no longer claimed them as His, nor that
He was their God.
8. Even though God rejected the children of Israel,
He prophecies that the number of the children of
Israel should be as the sand of the seashore
which cannot be numbered. 1:10-11
a. This is applied by Peter to the Redeemed Jews
of the dispersion. 1 Peter 2:10; 1:1
b. Paul applies it to redeemed Gentiles. Romans
9:25-26
c. Those circumcised in the heart are God’s Jew
today. Romans 2:28-29
II. Some of the causes of the fall of Israel – as listed
by Hosea.
A. Adultery.
1. “For their mother hath played the harlot.” 2:5
2. “She went after her lovers and forget me.” 2:13
a. Israel had done worse than commit adultery.
b. She had gone after Bali (false gods) and
had offered incense unto them.
3. “The spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to
err. 4:12
4. “They have committed whoredom continually.” 4:18
5. “Ephraim hath hired lovers”. 8:9
6. This example of Israel should serve as an
example to Christians today.
a. The church at Corinth an example. 1 Cor. 5.
(1) “A little leaven, leaveneth the whole
lump”.
b. There is moral looseness in the church in
many places today. Condoned by members and
preachers.
c. Members dance, wear shorts and halters, and
conduct themselves generally in a way that is
conductive to lust.
d. Many places do not want preachers to preach
against such things. Galatians 5:19-21;
Matthew 19:1-9; Matthew 5:32.
e. Then when their daughters fall victim and
become unwed mothers, they come to preachers
with tears in their eyes wanting help after
it is to late.
f. Solomon said, “He that committeth adultery is
not wise.” Proverbs 6:32
g. Neither is the person wise who practices that
which is conducive to lust; neither is the
person who fails to instruct their children,
or to set the proper example before them;
neither is the person wise who refuses to
restrain their children in matters that are
contrary to God’s will.
B. Lack of Knowledge. 4:1; 4:6
1. Lack of Knowledge also caused the destruction of
the Gentiles. Romans 1:28
2. Lack of Knowledge caused the destroyed of the
Jews in Paul’s day. Romans 10:1-3
3. See also 1 Timothy 2:3-4; Colossians 1:9-10;
Philippians 3:8
C. Idolatry. 8:4; 13:2; 4:17
1. Ephraim is joined to idols. 4:17
2. Neither be ye idolaters. 1 Corinthians 10:7
3. Flee from Idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14
4. Children keep yourselves from idolatry. 1 John
5:21
5. Covetousness is a form of idolatry. Colossians
3:5
D. They are said to be revolters. 5:2; 9:15
1. They were steeped in sin and their pride and sin
would not allow them to return to God.
2. Similar to, if not identical to the sin of
rebellion. King Saul was an example. 1 Samuel
15:22-23.
E. Pride. 5:5
1. Scriptures showing God’s attitude toward Pride –
Proverbs 6:16-17; Psalms 10:4; Proverbs 16:18;
29:23; Mark 7:21-23; 1 Timothy 3:6; 1 John 2:16.
2. Pride causes one to:
a. Set higher standards than able to meet.
b. Fail to seek God.
c. Refuse to admit guilt. Acts 7:51
d. Feel one’s own importance – Be puffed up. 1
Timothy 3:6
e. Trust in one’s own wisdom.
F. Instability. 6:4
1. Ephesians 4:14; Colossians 1:21-23.
2. Unstable are easily beguiled. 2 Peter 2:14
3. The mark of double mindedness. James 1:8
4. A cause of wresting the scriptures. 1 Peter 3:16
G. They had transgressed the covenant. 6:17; 7:13;
8:1, 12
1. Footnote: “like Adam”. Cf. Genesis 3
2. Saul transgressed the commandment of the Lord. 1
Samuel 15:29
3. Transgression is sin. 1 John 3:4
4. The way of the transgressor is hard. Proverbs
13:15
H. They had mixed with the world. 7:8
1. How did Israel mix with the world?
a. By taking wives of the heathen neighbors.
(1) See God’s instructions. Deuteronomy 7:1-4
(2) Solomon served as an example. 1 Kings
11:1-8
(3) Ezra instructed them to put away their
strange wives. Ezra 10
b. They polluted the house of the Lord. 2
Chronicles 36:14
c. Through evil companions 1 Corinthians 15:33
d. Unequal entangling alliances. 2 Corinthians
6:14-18; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17
I. They had spoken lies against the Lord. 7:13
a. God hates a lying tongue. Proverbs 6:16-17
b. All liars shall be cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:8; 22:14-15
J. They had corrupted themselves morally. 9:9
1. Corrupted themselves like their fathers at Baal-
Peor. 9:10
a. See Numbers 23:27-30; 25:109; 31:16
b. Peter spoke of this incident. 2 Peter 2:15-18
2. Corrupted themselves in revolting against God’s
rule. 9:15-17
a. Desired a king like their neighbors. 1 Samuel
8; Hosea 13:11
3. Paul said we reap what we sow. Galatians 6:7-8
K. They continually turned back from God. 11:7
1. Paul uses Israel as an example to us. 1
Corinthians 10
2. Some obey for a while – then fall away. Matthew
13:20-23
3. Some faithful as long as they are petted and
pampered.
4. Some are never able to take strong meat. Hebrews
5:12-14; John 6:59-68
5. Some are offended at the least remark often made
jokingly.
L. They practiced Fraud and Deceit. 12:7-8
1. Their fraud and deceit is also described by
Amos. Amos 8:4-6
2. Balances of deceit [dishonest scales – NKJV] are
abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 11:1
3. One of the sins of both the Jews and the
Gentiles. Romans 3:13
4. See also James 5:4.
III. Hosea calls upon Israel to repent. 6:1-3; 14:1-9
1. A call for Israel to forsake their idols and
wickedness and return to God.
2. If they would but do so God promises forgiveness,
healing, and blessing.
3. But being “wedded to their idols” Israel refuses
and is carried into Assyrian Captivity about 721 B.
C., never to return as a nation of people 9:17;
10:1-18; 11:5.
Other Interesting Passages and Prophecies in Hosea.
1. Those not God’s people shall become God’s people. Hosea
1:10; 3:23
a. This is applied by Peter to the Redeemed Jews of the
dispersion. 1 Peter 2:10; 1:1
b. Paul applies it to redeemed Gentiles. Romans 9:25-26
c. Those who are circumcised in the heart are God’s Jew
today. Romans 2:28-29
2. “I will cause all her mirth, feast days, new moons,
Sabbaths, and solemn feasts to cease. Hosea 2:11
a. See Colossians 2:14-17.
3. The Lord’s controversy with Israel. Hosea 4:1-2; 12:2
a. Micah also describes the Lord’s controversy with his
people. Micah 6:1-16
4. For I desired Mercy and Not sacrifice. Hosea 6:6
a. See the Lord’s quotation and use of this in Matthew
9:10-13.
5. “And they consider not in their hearts that I remember
all their wickedness” Hosea 7:2.
a. All these things shall be brought into judgment.
Matthew 12:36; 2 Corinthians 5:10.
6. “For Israel hath forgotten her maker. Hosea 8:14
7. “I called my son out of Egypt.
a. See Matthew 2:15
8. “Even the Lord God of Hosts; the Lord is his memorial”.
Hosea 12:5
9. “There is no Saviour beside me.” Hosea 13:4
10. “I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in
my wrath.” Hosea 13:11
Interesting Metaphors and Figures of Speech in the Book of Hosea. [From the King James Version]
1. Backsliding heifer. Hosea 4:16
2. The wind hath bound her up in her wings. Hosea 4:18
3. Therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.
Hosea 5:10
4. Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the
house of Judah as rottenness (or literally a worm).
5. For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young
lion to the house of Judah. Hosea
6. Your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early
dew it goeth away. Hosea 6:4; 13:3
7. They are adulters, as an oven heated by the baker. Hosea
7:4
8. They have made their heart as an oven. Hosea 7:4
9. They are all hot as an oven. Hosea 7:7
10. Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart. Hosea
7:11
11. Ephraim is a cake not turned. Hosea 7:8
12. They are like a deceitful bow. Hosea 7:16
13. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the
Lord. Hosea 8:1
Howard See via Eastland News, Vol. 32, No. 1, January 1, 1979 and Eastland Message of Truth, Vol. 5, No. 4, October, 1986 Top of the page |
