Introduction to Hosea

Hosea

 Introduction

  

“The word of the Lord that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.” (Hosea 1:1)

Any good study Bible will give an introduction to the book of the Bible you are studying, so you would be wise to look there for a more in-depth introduction to the book of Hosea.  But the first verse gives insight into the span of Hosea’s ministry, and it was about 750-710, so shall we go there?  Uzziah was king of the Southern Kingdom 792-753, and He ruled over Judah.  Jotham also ruled the Southern Kingdom and his timeline was around 750-732.  Next was Ahaz who ruled the Southern Kingdom from 735-716.  And last, we have Hezekiah as king of the Southern Kingdom from 716-686.

In the Northern Kingdom you have King Jeroboam II, who ruled over Israel and for a time he co-reigned with his father Jehoash from 793-782 B.C. then by himself until 753 B.C.  Forty-one years he reigned over the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Israel was very prosperous.  It is worth stating that during his reign the following people were prophets, Hosea, Joel, Jonah and Amos, and all of them condemned the materialism and evil of the elite of their day.  The more they prospered the farther they moved from the God they knew to little gods.  Note: can you see a similarity in our culture?

The ministry of God is much deeper waters than anyone can fathom, and we are reminded by the prophet Isaiah in chapter 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Do you recall God’s instruction to the prophet Isaiah, “at that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, "Go and loosen the sackcloth from your hips and take your shoes off your feet." And he did so, going naked and barefoot.  And the LORD said, "Even as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot three years as a sign and token against Egypt and Cush, so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.” (Isaiah 20:2-4)

When the LORD first spoke to Hosea it seems much better than being naked for three years, that is if you read past one word, go marry a whore.  The story of this marriage is a picture of broken promises, seeking other gods, like pleasure, possessions, power, and prominence with no regard for the love, grace and forgiveness of our loving Father.

From the Back Porch,

 Bob Rice