Hosea

A preacher cannot separate his personal life from his ministry. The life of a spiritual leader can be as much of a message as the words that he delivers on behalf of God. However, Hosea was a preacher that was asked by God to do far more than just live a life consistent with his message. He was asked to do incredible things in his personal life that were going to serve as illustrations to the people of Israel. God commanded him to marry a woman who would not be faithful to him, and to continue to pursue her even after she had strayed. This was to serve as a picture of God’s unconditional love for Israel. Israel had played the harlot throughout her history, yet God still loved her and was willing to forgive her and redeem her if she would sincerely turn back to Him.

Background Information

Hosea was a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel from approximately 750 BC until 710 BC. He was contemporary with (though younger than) Amos, who also prophesied to the northern kingdom during the reign of King Jereboam II. While Hosea and Amos were prophesying to Israel, Isaiah and Micah were preaching the Word of the Lord to the southern kingdom of Judah. The kings of Judah during this period were Uzziah, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. (Hosea 1:1)

We don’t know much about Hosea, other than the autobiographical information included in the text.

Wiersbe says this regarding Hosea:

Hosea ministered in the Northern Kingdom from about 760 to 720 b.c. Israel was enjoying great prosperity, but Hosea could see that the nation was rotten to the core; for honest government, pure religion, godly homes, and personal integrity had vanished from the land. Judgment was inevitable. Hosea faithfully preached the Word, but the nation refused to repent and was finally swallowed up by Assyria.^[1]

Hosea’s name means “salvation” and is very similar to the name “Joshua,” which means Jehovah is Salvation. We know from the text that he had a father, named Beeri, of which we also know very little. We also know from the text that he married a wife, Gomer. She was to serve as a picture or type of the nation of Israel who had been unfaithful to God through her idolatry. Gomer was from “whoredoms” (Hosea 1:2 – 3), perhaps meaning that Gomer was already a harlot when Hosea had found her, and she would become unfaithful to Hosea even after they were married. Hosea and Gomer would have three children: Jezreel, Loruhamah, and Loammi. Gomer and the three children would illustrate God’s dealing with the northern kingdom of Israel.

To get a better understanding of the historical, spiritual, and cultural context of Judah and Israel during this period, it would be prudent to read 2 Kings 14 – 17, 2 Chronicles 26 – 29, Isaiah, and Micah.

The word that best describes the northern kingdom of Israel during this period is the word “whoredom,” which is used 13 times in this Book. Israel was very prosperous militarily and economically during the reign of Jeroboam II but she was also filled with idolatry and immorality, and the judgment of God was imminent. However, even though God would judge Israel for a season, He promises that He will eventually reclaim her as His bride.

The bottom line in understanding this book is that Hosea’s relationship with Gomer is a picture, or illustration, of God’s relationship with Israel.

^[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be amazed (p. 9). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.