Background: This prophet lived and worked in the Northern Kingdom in the year of its existence. Through his own experience of a broken marriage Hosea gained a deep insight into Israel’s relationship to God. The covenant made at Sinai was like a marriage, but like Hosea’s own wife Israel had left God to worship Canaanite gods. Hosea speaks movingly of the sadness of God feels because of his love for Israel even though she deserves to be punished. 14Chs
Author: Hosea
Date and Location: Hosea’s ministry probably began c.760BC.and ends 720, 2 yrs after the Northern kingdom fall. It is likely that he is one of them who escaped (2Ch30:1-9). He may may have fled to the Southern kingdom and completed his writing there.
Recipients: Though he mentions Judah as well, he addressed his prophesies primary to Northern kingdom w/c he often referred to as “Ephraim”, the dominant tribe.
Purpose: The balance between Justice and love:
*God’s love does not mean he can forget sin. Sin must be punished.
*God’s Justice does not mean ending his relationship with his wife (Israel). Even in the wake of judgment preserve a remnant
Unique Features:
*Ho. was the only prophet from the Northern Kingdom, who recorded his prophecies
*The only prophet to minister to the North right up to its fall
Comparison
*Illustrates a husband (God) and wife (Israel) (2:19Is54:5)
*Had children with symbolic names (1:4, 6, 9 Is7:3; 8:3, 4, 14)
*Both called God “The Holy One” (11:9, 12; 30x in Isaiah)
Abbreviations: Hos. / Ho./ Hsa
MV: Lake of Fire, Rv19:20
Bib1Yr:Lk22-24Crucifixion
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