Hosea accuses israel of breaking their covenant with god, and warns them of the tragic consequences to follow. This is a long quote, but will help understand our readings in hosea this month ray stedman comments on the first 3 chapters of hosea. The second part of the book contains longish lamentations of hosea. In the book of hosea, god sends hosea to israel during king jeroboam iis reign to admonish. The book of hosea introduction to the book of hosea in the bible. The book of amos is the third of the twelve minor prophets in the tanakhold testament and the second in the greek septuagint tradition. Summary of the minor prophet hosea the prophet hosea. The incredible scandal of gods perfect love found in hosea. The theme of hosea is gods loyal love for his covenant people, israel, in spite of their idolatry.
Study the bible online using commentary on hosea and more. Most of hosea s messages are announcements of gods anger with israel the northern of the two israelite kingdoms and gods impending judgment on this. The book of hosea is the first of the 12 books of minor prophets. In the book of hosea, the judgments are made against israel. Usually when israel is mentioned, the personal pronoun she or her is used. Book of hosea, the first of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, considered as one book, the twelve, in the jewish canon. If this becomes characteristic of society at large, dishonesty and corruption become endemic. Hosea s prophecies elaborate on this metaphor, calling israel to account for idolatry and foretelling judgment but also promising gods faithfulness despite israels mistakes. Gods chastisement of the prodigal people, hosea 11. Hosea s days were likely around 760 to 725 bc the dates that the kings of israel and judah occupy as listed at hosea 1.
Like the book of amos, the book of hosea is addressed to the people of the northern kingdom israel. Many people of israel turned away from god to worship pagan idols. Amos lived in the kingdom of judah but preached in the northern kingdom of. According to the superscription, hosea began his prophetic activity during the reign of jeroboam ii c. Chapter 14 closes with an appeal to true repentance. Hosea is the first book in the sections of minor prophets. The book is clearly written by hosea during the days jeroboam ii king of israel. Its fourteen chapters contain both a warning concerning future events and an interpretation of these events meanings. In this book, hosea accuses israel of breaking their covenant with god and warns them of the tragic consequences to follow. Go, take for yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry, for the land has committed great harlotry spiritual. Rober chisholm suggests that judgmentsalvation in alternating fashion is the structured pattern of the book of hosea.
And his name is related to the name joshua, which means salvation. The marital life of hosea and his wife, gomer, provide the rich metaphor which clarifies the themes of the book. Transcribed and edited by david sielaff, october 2012. The book of hosea is one of the books of the hebrew bible. Six kings ruled during the last tragic 25 years of israel.
Powerful love overcomes rebellion in the book of hosea. Israel is under the rule of jeroboam 11 and later pekah depending on actual date. Read hosea commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Summary like the book of amos, the book of hosea is addressed to the people of the northern kingdom israel. So hosea is rather discouraged and in the opening chapter of this little book of prophecy we read a personal note about him. Often, we do not recognize the derivation of these bible names, but this prophets name would be joseph in english. Hosea revealed little about his background, though his book of prophecy offers a few glimpses into his life. In johns gospel, that statement leads to the incarnation. Hosea summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of hosea for bible study or sunday school lessons. Book of hosea read, study bible verses online bible study tools. When this is true it all too easily leads to compromise, selfish ambition, and lack of integrity in ones personal activities and dealings. It comes from the same hebrew root hoshea as the names joshua and jesus.
The book of hosea is a deeply personal and passionate love story, yet its a difficult story. Watch our overview video on the book of hosea, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Best resources on hosea the prophet hosea intentionally marries an unfaithful woman to symbolically portray gods relationship with unfaithful israel. The northern kingdom of israel enjoyed moderate success from conquering neighboring kingdoms, but they were spiritually bankrupt on the inside. The book of hosea is one of the books of the christian old testament and it is one of the twelve minor prophets. The text is quite corrupt and contains difficult problems of interpretation. Summary of the book of hosea the story of the bible. Free bible commentary on hosea in easy english easyenglish bible. The book of hosea was written in the northern kingdom of israel in the eighth century bc, during the reign of jeroboam ii 786746 bc. The book of second kings records jeroboams reign as follows. Hosea s marriage to gomer god gave a curious instruction to hosea. Hosea prophesied during a very dark time of israel\s history.
Hosea 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Book of hosea, the first of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor. Be a berean not always literal especially in prophetic passages. The book reveals the personality of the prophet, an emotional man who in a moment could swing from violent anger to the deepest tenderness. The book of hosea written hundreds of years before daniel and is addressed to the northern kingdom of israel. As an account full of harsh judgment unfolds, we find in its midst a rare and pure gem. He contends the book is divided into five panels, each of which moves from judgment to salvation. At the same time he shows the future ways of god with his people.
Hosea is the first of the prophets in the book of the twelve prophets in hebrew scripture, our old testament of the bible. Introduces the background of the prophet hosea and his book, and provides an overview of the book s content and structure. These 12 books are called minor prophets not because their message is less important but because they are so much shorter than the previous five books. Understanding hosea knowing god through his word day. Hosea is the first book of the twelve minor prophets. Hosea 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Amos, an older contemporary of hosea and isaiah, was active c.
The book of hosea is a narrative history and prophetic oracle. They are called minor prophets not because their material is less important or insignificant, but because of the size of the book they wrote was shorter in length. Hosea was a young preacher in the nation of israel, the northern kingdom, and he was a. Hosea with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete hosea. Hosea commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. By them hosea expresses his deep woe over israels condition. Under a figure, is represented the shameful idolatry of the ten tribes. Hosea 1 niv the word of the lord that came to hosea. During the time of the minor prophets, the nation of israel had divided into two separate countries, each with its own government. Summary the book of hosea is a collection of prophetic messages delivered by the prophet hosea and narrative descriptions of hosea s marriage and the birth of his children 1. Abstract the book of hosea portrays the dangers of the observance of religious ceremony without genuine devotion and commitment to the lord. Israel, the northern country consisting of ten tribes, and judah, the remaining two tribes in the south.
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