Study From the Book of Hosea,1 

                                          Study From the Book of Hosea*

     The prophet Hosea ministered to the northern kingdom of Israel before its destruction and deportation by the Assyrians. During his time, the nation appeared to enjoy the season of prosperity and growth. However in contrast, moral corruption and spiritual adultery had thoroughly infected the people.

     The book of Hosea illustrates the love of God in spite of the spiritual adultery of His people. God ordered His prophet to illustrate His love when He ordered him to get married with a promiscuous woman named Gomer. The Lord even had the prophet to name two of his children  Lo-Ruhamah (no mercy) and Lo Ammi (not my people)

During the ministry of Hosea, he echoed a threefold message:

1. God abhors the sins of His people.
2. The judgment is certain.
3. God’s loyal love stands firm

The name of Hosea means salvation. God’s messenger, Hosea offered salvation to the straying people if they would turn from idolatry back to God.

Themes: spiritual adultery will always bring God’s judgment, but God will never abandon His steadfast love of His covenant people.

Author: Hosea.

Time: around 755-715 B.C.

Structure:

Vs 1-3: the apostasy of the northern kingdom, symbolized by the marriage of Hosea with the prostitute Gomer.

Vs 4-13:  Israel’ sins and the prophatic  consequences of those sins.

V 14 : God’s promised blessings for repentance.   

* Adopted from Charles Stanly's  Life Principles Bible , Thomas Neslon's publication,  2005