Adapted from Hailey's book, and Willmington's Guide.
Hosea means "salvation". This name is similar to Joshua ("salvation is of the LORD" = Jo - Jehovah and Shua - salvation). Incidentally, Joshua's name was first called HOSHEA before it was changed to Joshua (cf. Num. 13:8 , 16 - Jehoshua).
If there was one person who was sure that his marriage was commanded by God, it was Hosea. He was told to choose for himself a woman of whoredom. According to Hailey, this woman would be a "daughter of her age, one brought up under the influence of idolatry and in whose character would have been planted the seeds of immorality (Hailey, 128)." She was not a prostitute before marriage but she was of a background whereby the seed of adultery would blossom and its fruits would be fully borne.
But the phrase "a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms" argue forcefully that Hosea was told by the LORD to marry an actual prostitute. Not only that, but Hosea will also have children who will also become prostitutes too. Take the phrase "a man of sorrows" to describe Christ in Isaiah 53:3 . This phrase does not mean that Christ will suffer sorrow occasionally but that his life on earth will be characterized by sorrows. It is a manifold and constant life of sorrow that Christ will endure on earth all the way to the cross.
This special calling of the LORD to Hosea was most unusual. His family life will be the message to Israel.
This marriage relationship parallel's the relation the LORD (YHWH) has with Israel at that point of Israel's idolatrous lifestyle.
They were Isaiah (Isa. 1:1 ) and Micah (Mic. 1:1 ). Both Isaiah and Micah ministered to Judah, whereas Hosea was a prophet to Israel, the Northern Kingdom.
Hosea ministered during the reigns of Uzziah (792-740 B.C.), Jotham (750-736 B.C.), Ahaz (735-719 B.C.), and Hezekiah (716-687 B.C.) of Judah; and during the reign of the Southern King, Jeroboam II (793-752 B.C.). His ministry was a long one. He outlived Jeroboam II. His ministry could be as long as fifty years. Wilmington said that it was 60 years.
ECONOMICALLY, Israel was doing very well. Jeroboam II had just recovered a large piece of land for Israel (cf. 2 Ki. 14:25 ).
RELIGIOUSLY, Israel had prostituted herself before the Baalim of the land (Hos. 2:12-13 ). Jeroboam II was like Jeroboam I (cf. 2 Ki. 14:23-24 ). On top of that Israel was without knowledge (Hos. 4:6 ; 5:4 ) and that compounded the problem of idolatry. "The people were victims of two systems of false religion: the calf worship introduced by Jeroboam I, and Baal worship stressed by Ahab and Jezebel. Each was completely foreign to the revealed religion of the Lord Jehovah. Each was the fruit of apostasy (Hailey, 129)."
MORALLY, The people were guilty of swearing, breaking faith, murder, stealing, adultery, deceit, lying, drunkenness, dishonesty in business, and many other crimes which are equally abominable before the LORD (cf. Hos. 4:2 , 11 , 12 , 18 ; 6:8-9 ; 10:4 ; 13:1-2 ; etc).
POLITICALLY, during the reign of Jeroboam II there was peace in the land. But after his death there was political upheaval.
Jeroboam II's son reigned for only 6 months before he was slained by Shallum who reigned in his stead (2 Ki. 15:8-12 ). Shallum in turn reign for only 1 month for he was slained by Menahem who became the new king for the next 10 years (2 Ki. 15:13ff .). During the reign of Menahem, Tiglath-Pileser (Pul), the king of Assyria, attacked Israel and made it its vassal nation making Menahem pay an annual tribute to him. After the death of Menahem, Pekahiah, his son succeeded him (2 Ki. 15:17-22 ). He reigned only two years and was assassinated by his own captain, Pekah.
This intrigue of murdering kings went on for the next few years until the destruction of Samaria, the capital city of Israel in 722 B.C. by the Assyrians.
1. JEZREEL -- means "God will scatter". This name predicted two things: God will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu; and God will cause the kingdom of the house of Israel to cease.
Jehu had written letters to the elders of certain cities in Samaria instructing them to kill the 70 sons of Ahab. The order was carried out as Jehu had directed. The heads of the 70 sons of Ahab were sent to him as he had commanded (cf. 2 KI. 10:1-8 ). The slaughter of Ahab's house was commanded by God. (2 Ki. 10:30 ). Therefore this was not the reason God wanted to avenge Jezreel upon the house of Jehu. It was not the outward actions of Jehu that was condemned by God. He obeyed God's command.
What Jehu did wrong and his descendants must pay for it was that Jehu did God's Word for selfish and evil motives. He had no concern for God's will. He was motivated by greed for power and riches. This was revealed in the summary statement of his life as king of Israel . . . 2KI 10:31 "But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin."
This was a golden opportunity for Israel to turn over a new leaf. But Jehu failed. He was to be God's instrument of cleansing instead he became an instrument of unrighteousness. The sin of Jeroboam was not eradicated. It continued for the next two centuries of Israel's existence. This kind of kingdom will not continue for long. It will come to an end soon. And God will bring this end to pass. (Hos. 1:4-5 )
2. LORUHAMAH -- means "no pity" or "no mercy". God will have no mercy on Israel. Enough was enough. A time will come where judgment will come down like a sword upon the heads of the sinful Israelites. Hezekiah was one of the 8 good kings of Judah. God will not have mercy upon Israel but He will have mercy upon Judah. The Assyrians were knocking at the gate of Jerusalem when God intervened and 185,000 Assyrians died overnight (Isa. 37:36-38 ). Remember Isaiah and Hosea were contemporaries.
The LORD's dealings with His people were very fair. The one which refused to repent from his sins will surely be punished. The one who repents and live a righteous life will be rewarded by God's protection. Both were according to the covenant God had made with His people on Mount Sinai (cf. Deut. 11:26-32 ; DE 11:14-32, Deut. 28 29:1-29 ). (Hos.1:6-7 )
3. LOAMMI -- means "not my people". This was what Moses was most afraid of, God not wanting to go with them into the Promised Land. Not to be regarded by God as His people anymore means that they will no longer be under His care and protection. He will leave them to their own sinful ways. "I will not be your God" (Hos.1:9 ) are the most frightening words that can befall any church and any person.
4. AMMI AND RUHAMAH - these two words mean "my people" and "have obtained mercy" respectively. The willful rebellious nature of sinful men cannot thwart the divine plans of God. God had promised Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the heaven and that will come to pass. Israel will be punished grievously by God through the hand of another nation but they will not be completely annihilated. They will one day experience five great blessings:
NATIONAL INCREASE (Hos.1:10A );
NATIONAL CONVERSION (Hos.1:10B );
NATIONAL REUNION (Hos.1:11A );
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP (Hos.1:11B );
NATIONAL RESTORATION (Hos.2:1 ) [from Feinberg, 18).
"Great shall be the day of Jezreel" means "in as much as Jezreel was the place where Jehu killed the sons of Ahab with evil motives and perpetuated the sin of Jeroboam I thus causing the destruction of Israel in later years, here there will be a reunification of both Israel and Judah which will be engineered by God.
When that day comes, they will be the LORD's people again.
1. Sin Revealed -- The sin of the nation of Israel was likened to the whoredom of Gomer, Hosea's wife. She had gone after other "lovers". They have called them their "God". This is an affront and an insult to the LORD who had entered into a covenant with them!! (Hos.1:2-5 )
2. Judgment Promised -- All that the people of Israel loved, the material and physical things, and have attributed to their Baalim will be taken away by the LORD. They will cry to Baalim but there will be no answer. Their sins will be revealed by the punishment the LORD will inflict upon them. Then they will return to their first husband. (Hos.2:6-13 )
3. Promised Restoration -- When they return to the LORD, the LORD will receive them with open arms. Blessings will immediately return to Israel. God will comfort (Hos.2:14 ), restore the joy of their salvation (Hos.2:15 ); hope will return to their hearts like the days they came out of Egypt (Hos.2:15 ); Israel will once again call the LORD "ishi"="my husband" and no more "Baali"="my lord". When they return Israel will enjoy peace in the land. Baalim will be forgotten from the land. He LORD will betroth Israel to Himself forever. The land will once again be fruitful and there will be plenty for all. There will be mutual acknowledgment . . . Hosea 2:23 "And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God."
1. Israel might have forsaken the LORD generation after generation but the LORD has not forsaken Israel. Gomer might have committed adultery but Hosea was willing to take her back. Israel has sunk so low in sin that she was likened to half the price of a slave (cf. Exo. 21:32 ) as payment for her return. (Hos.3:1-2 )
2. The condition for returning was genuine repentance. The LORD will not want Israel to return when she has not forsaken her sins. (Hos.3:3 )
3. Israel will abide many days without a king and a place of worship. But it will not be forever. There will come a time "in the latter days" where Israel will seek the LORD their God and David (i.e. the Messiah) their king and the fear of the LORD will return to them. (Hos.3:4-5 )
1. Accusations of the LORD against the Land, the Priesthood, the False Cult, and the Fall of the False Cult (Hos.4:1-19 )
a. The LORD has a lawsuit against His people. The national guilt is exposed. Moral corruption has infiltrated everyday life on every hand. The people will be carried away. (Hos.4:1-5 )
b. "Lack of knowledge" was the stumbling block of the people (Hos.4:6 ). The priests were charged with "eating up the sin of the people" (Hos.4:8 ). The priests encouraged or allowed sin to multiply so that the people will bring in more offerings. More offerings mean more prosperity for the priests who get a portion of the offerings (Deut. 18:1-8 ). [Hos.4:6-10 ]
Deu. 18:1-2 , "The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance. 2Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them."
c. Gross immorality characterized their idolatrous worship. They will definitely be overthrown. The daughters and wives will be held responsible to the same extent as the fathers and husbands who have caused this abomination to fall upon the people whom God had placed under their charge. They have become like whores and harlots because of their false concept of religion!! This is the result of a people without true knowledge of God!! They end up with ruined lives!! (Hos.4:11-14 ) Thank God for His perfect Truth in our hands, heads and hearts.
d. Ephraim is joined to her idols but let Judah be warned by the example and not follow the same course. They will be shamed because of their sins. They might look rich and wealthy now but their end is certain. So, Judah, do not follow the sinful and wicked ways of Israel just because they are rich in material wealth. (Hos.4:15-19 )
GILGAL -- the first place where the children made camp after they crossed the river Jordan in the days of Joshua as they conquered the Promised Land (Josh. 4:19-24 ). Gilgal had probably become a center of idolatry.
BETHAVEN-- Lit. "House of Idols" formerly called BETHEL "House of God". Bethel became one of the two places where Jeroboam I built his golden calves for worship when Israel was divided into the north and south.
2. The LORD's Judgment against the Entire Nation (Hos.5:1-15 )
a. The deep-seated nature of Israel's revolt is exposed. The spirit of whoredom is its cause. (Hos.5:1-5 )
The snare and net were traps for wild animals and birds respectively. Mizpah and Tabor must have become places of idolatrous worship that have "snared" and "netted" the many Israelites who went there for their idolatrous worship. (Hos.5:1 )
The sins of the people were not hid from the LORD. Their spiritual prostitution was hateful in the LORD's sight. Strong words used by the LORD to describe the sin of Israel. This must be the Christian view of idolatry too. Hos.(Hos.5:3 )
They will not turn to the LORD, their God, because of their whoredom. They might use the name of the LORD in their worship but the LORD says "They have not known the LORD". (Hos.5:4 )
Pride stands in their way of repentance. Judah will fall with them if they are not careful!! (Hos.5:5 )
b. God rebuked them. Their hypocrisy would devour them. (Hos.5:6-15 )
The LORD will punish Israel for her sins. They will be destroyed by the Assyrians. The LORD will go and return to His place till Israel acknowledges her offences and seeks His face. In their affliction they will seek the LORD early (Hos.5:15 ).
3. If Israel Repents, the LORD will Forgive!! (Hos.6:1-3 )
a. The exhortation is to repent and turn from their sins. Assyria will come if Israel does not repent. It did not come upon them until 722 B.C., about 20 plus years later (Hosea's ministry was from 760-700 B.C.). [Hos.6:1 ]
b. The LORD's forgiveness will be quick and immediate. His longsuffering toward the sin of Israel was patient and long compared to His mercy and grace which are swift and immediate toward all who would turn to Him in repentance. Blessings will immediately return to Christians today too if were to repent also. (Hos.6:2-3 )
TWO VIEWS on the interpretation of Hos.6:1-3 . The first view sees Hos.6:1-3 as a link with the preceding chapter, thus the chapter division is most unfortunate. The second view sees the link with Hos.6:4 and the rest of the following verses.
VIEW # 1 -- This was an appeal by Hosea (use of 1st personal pronoun in Hos.6:1 ) for an urgent prayer from the people. If they return to the LORD, He will heal and bind up that which he has torn and smitten. The phrase "After two days He will revive and after three days he will raise up" is a description of the immediacy of the application of God's mercy and grace upon all who would return to God (Hos.6:2 ). After the people have experienced God's restoration (spiritual only up to this point of time) and if they would continue to follow on to know the LORD, their going forth i.e. their conduct and way of life will be fresh like the morning; and God will come to them as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth (Deut. 11:13-14 ) i.e. not only will the people enjoy spiritual blessings but material blessings as well.
VIEW # 2 -- Supporters of this view interpolate the word "saying" after Hos.5:15 , following the LXX (Septuagint), making it read, "In their affliction they will seek me earnestly, saying, Come, let us return to the LORD . . ." This would indicate an attitude lacking in deep and genuine repentance, suggesting that in their minds they need only to inmate a disposition to return to the LORD for Him to readily accept them.
This view would reveal a low estimate of the demands of the LORD on His people. Thus the harsh words of Hos.6:4ff . where the LORD sees through their farce and rebuke them further that He was not deceived by their shallow conduct.
The first view is preferred. The main reason is that the addition of the word "saying" cannot be justified. The first view which is in accordance with the Masoretic Texts makes perfect sense in that the pattern of God's judgment is usually followed by the call to repentance and a promise of forgiveness which was what Hosea called the people to do.
4. Israel Remains Entrenched in Her Sin (HO 6:4-11, HO 7:1-16 )
a. Israel has Transgressed the Covenant of the LORD (HO 6:4-11, HO 7:1-2 )
The goodness of Israel and Judah are like a morning cloud and the early dew which is blown away and evaporates by noon time. They are temporal and will not last. What the LORD demands from Israel was mercy and not sacrifice! Knowledge is more preferred by the LORD than their burnt offerings (Hos.6:6-7 ).
HOS 6:6-7 , "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 7But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me."
E.g. of Saul and Samuel when Saul spared Agag the king of Amalek after he was expressly told by God to kill all. 1Samuel 15:22-23 , "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. {23} For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king."
b. Israel is Politically Corrupt from top to bottom (Hos. 7:3-7 )
The verses that sum up the extent of the sin of the people of Israel are Hos.7:6-7
Hosea 7:6-7 , "For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire. {7} They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me."
c. Israel's Trust in her neighbouring nations come to nought! (Hos. 7:8-16 )
Cursed with a corrupt foreign policy, Israel was as a silly dove flitting from Egypt to Assyria. They refuse to return to the LORD.
Hosea 7:14-16 , "And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me. {15} Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me. {16} They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt."
1. Israel's Impending Judgment will be swift in Coming (HO 8:1-14, HO 9:1-9 )
a. Inevitable judgment! False gods and kings unsanctioned by the LORD have wrought their havoc. The calf must go. They have sown the wind they will reap the whirlwind. (Hos. 8:1-7 )
The sins of Israel were:
FALSE KNOWLEDGE -- Hos. 8:1-2
FALSE LEADERS -- Hos.8:3-4a
FALSE GODS -- Hos.8:4b-6
b. Altars for sinning had been multiplied and the LORD's law had been rejected by Israel. They must now go into captivity. This was in accordance with the covenant made by the LORD with the people of Israel (Deu. 28:15 , 68 ; 30:15-20 ) some 700 years ago! (Hos.8:11-14 )
c. Premature rejoicing! The people were rejoicing over their material prosperity. But it was premature; they would eat the bread of mourning in Assyria. (Hos.9:1-9 )
God's day of recompense has come!!
Hosea 9:7-9 , "The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred. {8} The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God. {9} They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins."
2. Israel's Past Sin Re-collected (HO 9:10-17, HO 10:1-9 )
a. God had found Ephraim as one greatly to be desired; but he had corrupted himself beyond God's ability to claim him. He would cast Ephraim away, and if children should be born to them they would be slain. (Hos.9:10-17 )
b. Puppet gods and puppet kings had led the people away from God into utter confusion. (Hos.10:1-3 )
c. The calf of the "House of idols" will be for terror to the people. It will be carried to Assyria. Terror and destruction reign. (Hos.10:4-8 )
3. The Exhortation to Righteousness or Else!! (Hos.10:9-15 )
a. Israel's persistency in sinning from her early history till now shall bring severe chastening. (Hos.10:9-11 )
b. The prophet calls the people to return to righteousness, but with little hope of response. They have gone too far. (Hos.10:12-15 )
4. The LORD reminds Israel of His Covenantal Love (Hos.11:1-4 )
a. The LORD persists in His love for the ungrateful nation. (Hos.11:1 )
This was a reference to the beginning of Israel's history. Israel was not a nation yet. They had only people, without a land or a constitution which they could call their own. Yet God called and brought them out of Egypt.
Matthew quoted this verse as a fulfillment of the Messiah coming out of Egypt. This is typology where only by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit could such a prophetic reference be made. Keil explains "because the sojourn in Egypt, and return out of that land, had the same significance in relation to the development of the life of Jesus Christ, as it had in the nation of Israel. Just as Israel grew into a nation in Egypt, where it was out of the reach of the Canaanitish ways, so was the child Jesus hidden in Egypt from the hostility of Herod."
b. As a father teaches an infant son to walk, so the LORD led Ephraim, only to be paid back by ingratitude. (Hos.11:2-4 )
HOS 11:2-4 , "As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. {3I} taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. {4I} drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them."
5. Israel will be punished for her sins but not by the LORD!! (Hos.11:5-12 )
a. The prophet clearly reveals that the "Egypt" of their bondage will be Assyria. (Hos.11:5-7 )
b. How could God give them up? This is one of the most emotional passages in the whole book. (Hos.11:8-12 )
The LORD loved them so!! God's justice says that Israel must be punished for their sins. Yet it hurts Him so much that He had no choice but to do it for it was for Israel's own good in the long run!! Hosea 11:8 , "How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together."
Admah and Zeboim were cities destroyed by God like Sodom and Gomorrah because of the wrath of God (Deu. 29:23 ).
The LORD will send Assyria to punish Israel instead.
Hosea 11:9 , "I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city."
1. Israel Has Forgotten Her YHWH (Hos.12:1-14 )
a. Israel's infidelity and weakness are contrasted with Jacob's devotion and strength.
Ephraim increases in lies and desolation and they have made a covenant with the Assyrians and Egypt. The LORD again calls Israel to answer the charges against her. (Hos.12:1-2 )
The LORD reminds Israel of Jacob's wrestling with God. It was in Genesis 32:24-32 that Jacob's name (usurper) was changed to Israel (A prince of God). (Hos.12:1-6 )
b. Instead of being an "Israel" the nation has become a "Canaan" -- a fraudulent trafficker. Jacob and the nation are contrasted further. (Hos.12:7-14 )
Israel prefers to put her trusts in mammon. She shall suffer the consequences of her actions. (Hos.12:7-14 )
Hosea 12:7 , "He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. {8} And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin."
Israel has sinned so grievously against the LORD that the LORD is left without any option but to punish her. Hosea 12:14 , "Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him."
2. Israel Increases in Her sin of Idolatry and the LORD will certainly punish her (Hos.13:1-16 ).
a. Israel's deep fall and the cause of that fall are set forth. Ephraim had been exalted, but in Baal he died.
Hosea 13:1 , "When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died."
The shame of idolatry was seen in Israel's behaviour (Hos.13:1-3 ).
b. It was the LORD whom the nation had offended. He had blessed them in the wilderness; now He would tear them as wild beasts of the forest.
The LORD will be swift and awesome in His judgement (Hos.13:4-8 )
c. Distrust in God's kingship had led to their asking for a king (1 Sam. 8:1-21 ). And now the king whom they had requested would be helpless to save them. However, through travail and sorrow there would come a new birth. God would redeem them.
Israel has destroyed herself but in God, He is her help. (Hos.13:9-16 )
1. The LORD's Invitation to Israel is "Repent"!! (Hos.14:1-3 )
a. Israel's conversion and pardon.
b. At this point of time it was still not too late. They must turn to God in repentance. They are fallen because of their sin. They can pick themselves up again if they would only repent. Turn to the LORD in true repentance IS THE ONLY WAY!! (Hos.14:1-3 )
2. The LORD's Promised Blessings (Hos.14:4-9 )
a. As Israel comes to the LORD with words of true repentance, the LORD pardons and restores to His own favour those who had wandered so far.
b. The LORD is ever ready to bless His people again. They will once again enjoy His everlasting omnipotent protection. The repentance will mean casting off all the idols (Hos.14:8 )
Hosea 14:9 , "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein."
This verse sums up the book of Hosea very well as well as act as a warning to all believers!!
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