HOSEA

Theme: God’s unchanging love

Author: Hosea (45years of ministry)

Time: 730-720 BC

• MINOR PROPHET

Key Scripture:

Hosea 11:1

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt, I called my son.

Hosea 1:2

When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.”

Hosea is ministering to Northern Israel as a prophet. He wants him to go to a whorehouse, find a prostitute, marry her, and have children with her.

• Symbol of what is happening between God and Israel

Hosea 6:6

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

• God is a God of mercy… mercy triumphs over judgment

Structure:

Chapter 1-3: Hosea’s Marriage to Gomer

• Runs away and forsakes Hosea. This is exactly how God regards Israel

Chapter 4:14: Hosea’s Message to Israel

Purpose of the Book:

1. To warn Northern Israel of impending Assyrian exile and to call them to repentance

• GGod marries and loves people who do not love him. He initiates mercy even though we do not want it. There will be an end to the mercy.