Exploring the Bible // Hosea
One of my favorite passages from the books of the prophets is found in Hosea. This book is a beautiful beacon of hope in the midst of judgment.
The book was written by the prophet Hosea who lived around 777-715 B.C. This makes him a contemporary of Isaiah and Micah, who we have already learned about. We don’t know much about Hosea; there isn’t a lot of information offered about his background or life.
Hosea’s name means “salvation” and it’s fitting for the time and calling he had. He lived in the northern kingdom of Israel and was married to a woman named Gomer, and they have three children.
What’s interesting about Hosea, and what sets him apart from other prophets, is that his personal life parallels the message God spoke through him so intricately. You see, Hosea knew Gomer, a harlot, would eventually betray his trust. And the names of their children sent messages of judgment on Israel.
A Personal Look (Ch. 1-3)
God commands Hosea to marry Gomer, but after giving birth to their three children, she leaves Hosea to be with her lovers. There is great symbolism here: Hosea compares Israel’s actions to turning from marriage to life as a prostitute.
I actually, personally, love Hosea 2. It talks about how God woos and speaks tenderly in the wilderness. That the Valley of Trouble holds a door of hope. And all about how He wants to take you from a corporate love to a personal one. It’s a passage that gives me so much comfort in my own valleys of trouble.
And moving on, in chapter 3, we see Gomer is redeemed.
Judgment on the Nations (CH. 4-14)
The second section contains Hosea’s denunciation of the Israelites but is followed by the promises and the mercies of God. Ultimately, Hosea is a prophetic story of God’s love for His children.
What Can We Learn
Hosea is a book about our rebellion and need for Christ. In light of that, it’s also a book about God’s unconditional love.
Memory Verse
“I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one.' I will say to those called 'Not my people,' 'You are my people'; and they will say, 'You are my God.'” Hosea 2:23