PART I
The book Hosea was written between 790 and 710 BC by the prophet Hosea. The story is
about
the relationship between Hosea and his wife, Gomer, and how their lives parallel that of
the
northern kingdom of Israel. There are several themes in the book of Hosea and I will
discuss
what I think to be the main one, "there is absolutely nothing we can do which will
separate us
from God's love and compassion". While the northern kingdom prospers monetarily its
morals
and spiritual condition is sacrificed. The peoples of the northern kingdom have fallen
from God's
grace due to their worship of God's other than the one true God. The following text
describes
my opinions, others opinions, and my observations of the book Hosea.
The book begins with God telling Hosea to marry an adulterous wife . He does this to
show
the relationship of the Israelites adultery to God by worshipping idols and other God's.
Hosea
marries Gomer and they have a son. God informs Hosea to name the child Jezreel because
he
is
going to punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel. Later they have a
daughter and
God tells Hosea to name her Lo-Ruhama which means, not loved, in Hebrew. Once again
Hosea
and Gomer have a son that God tells Hosea to name Lo-Ammi which means, not my people, in
Hebrew. Chapter one ends with God describing how the two nations, Israel and Judah, be
reunited under one appointed leader and one God.
Chapter two describes God's feelings towards the nation Israel. He does this by
comparing
the nation Israel to Hosea's household. He describes how Hosea's wife has been
unfaithful to
her
husband as the nation Israel has been unfaithful to God. He further goes on to describe
his
plans
for the nation Israel and how he is going to let Israel search for Him, through other
God's, and
the obstacles he'll place in their path to hinder their search. God also declares he
will punish the
Israelites for forgetting about their one true God. God ends the narration by telling of
the
restoration of Israel to his favor and the many benefits that will fall upon the nation
Israel, once
they accept Him as the only God.
Chapters three, four, and five describe Hosea and Gomers reconciliation, Israel's lack
of
faithfulness and love for God; and God's plan to deal with the people and priests of
Israel;
respectively. The LORD tells Hosea to love his wife again so he buys her back from a
slave
market and tells her she must live with and be faithful to him. The LORD is extremely
distressed
by Israel's lack of love and acknowledgment of His existence. He describes how they
have
reverted to lying, cheating , stealing, murder, etc. and further fail to follow his word.
The priests
during this time are not to be let off lightly. God tells how the priests have not
spread His
message, but rather they've fed off the Israelites sins. God tells how he's going to
punish the
people of Israel, for their sins, and the priests, for their lack of concern. He closes
by saying he
will go to his place and not recognize the peoples of Israel until they earnestly seek
him out.
In chapter 11 God capsulizes Israel's sins and his judgment against the people. He
describes
how he chose the Israelites as His people and how he delivered them from slavery in
Egypt.
During this dissertation he has a change of heart and decides he will not destroy the
nation Israel
even if they turn from Him. He decides he will force Israel to repent by less
destructive means.
In chapter 12 Hosea preaches the Lord's message to the Israelites. He starts by
describing
Israel's sins against God and how the Israelites wealth has taken them further and
further from
God's embrace. He talks about how the Israelites will be punished for their sins and
that God will
repay them, in-kind, for their goodness. He tells Israel they must return to God's favor
or
judgment will be upon them. His inclusion of Jacob in the reasons for Israel's downfall
are also
described in chapter 12. He believes since Jacob is His prophet he should also be held
accountable for the sins of Israel. He also describes what is going to happen to Gillead
because
of
their wickedness and sacrificing of bulls. The chapter closes as Hosea tells of God's
anger at
Israel for straying from His laws.
Chapter 13 describes God's anger at Israel for idol worship and chapter 14 tells of
God's
blessings, on the nation, for its repentance. In chapter 13 Hosea tells how the worship
of Baal
has
angered God. God intercedes and reminds the nation Israel that they should acknowledge
no
other God besides Himself. He also restates the exodus epic and how He led the nation
Israel
from slavery and saved them in the desert. He then goes on to describe an east wind that
will
destroy their crops and dry up their wells. The final chapter of Hosea describes how God
will
save Israel from itself and restore the people as His people. Even though He's angry
with Israel
he's unable to lay waste to the nation.
PART II
The experts don't all agree on whether God commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute.
According to Tullock (1992) this question can be answered in one of the following ways:
1. The LORD actually commanded Hosea to Marry a prostitute, which he did.
2. Gomer was not a prostitute physically. Instead, she was a Baal worshiper,
and as
such, was spiritually unfaithful. Whether she was ever physically unfaithful was not
important.
3. Gomer was a virgin when Hosea married her, but she became unfaithful after
marriage.
Later, when he looked back upon the experience, he realized that she already had such
tendencies
when he married her.
4. The whole story is an allegory, which had no relationship to Gomer's morals
(Hosea
1:2). (p. 195)
Wood (1975) states, "The name of each child was linked symbolically to Israel's coming
doom"
(p. 20). According to Scott (1975), "By theses experiences Hosea became in heart the
instrument
of God to declare God's grace, mercy and love (p. 20).
"In an oracle calling for his children to plead with their mother that she change her
ways,
Hosea compared his relations with Gomer to the Lord's relations with Israel" (Hos.
2:2-23)
Tullock, 1992, p. 195). Scott (1975) took this verse to mean, "It is as though God is
calling the
children of Israel to indict their mother because of her crimes against God (2:2) (p.
21). Wood
(1975) concludes, "She (Israel) was guilty because she credited her blessings to Baal,
not to
Jehovah God (p. 31).
The comparison of Hosea's personal life with that of the nation Israel's spiritual life
is
evident
throughout the entire book of Hosea. "This verse summarizes the case against Israel as
seen in
the first two chapters and now relates the whole to Hosea's own personal experience with
Gomer
as a fit comparison for teaching purposes" (Hos.3:1) Scott, 1975, p. 30). "Religious
failures had
corroded the national character. The unifying covenant of Sinai had long since been
forgotten in
practice, if not in name" (Southwestern Journal of Theology, 1975, p. 8).
Throughout the whole of chapters three through five Israel's lack of faith and love for
God is
evident. "The sinful woman stands for Israel. Hosea's ransom speaks of God's love for
his
people" (Wood, 1975, p. 42). Three things in particular are mentioned as expected by
God: (1)
truth; (2) lovingkindness sometimes translated "goodness"; and (3) knowledge of God"
(Scott,
1975, p. 32). Tullock (1992) describes how, "Israel had become so mired I the muck of
Baal
worship that the people could no longer find their way back to the LORD" (p. 197).
Israel
consistently ask for forgiveness, falsely, and was about to find out their fate.
Verse 6 of chapter 11 describes God's describes the fall of Israel. "The sword (of the
enemy
Assyria) will whirl against Israel's cities" (Scott, 1975, p. 71). "Hosea had hope for
the nation
despite the fact that it had to go through judgment" (Tullock, 1992, p.199). Wood
(1975)
describes how, "Hosea pointed out that God's grace transcended Israel's guilt, and
compelled
him
to spare her from complete oblivion: (p.103). "Happily, the message of Hosea is not one
of
ultimate despair. As with other Old Testament prophets this man succeeded in sustaining
a note
of hope and optimism in spite of the darkness of his time" (Southwestern Journal of
Theology,
1975, p. 54).
"Judgment must come (Hos 12:1-13:16). Judgment had to come. The people had
sinned to
much to avoid it" (Tullock, 1992, p. 199). "Hosea was no fatalist. The people made the
choice
themselves with their own free will" (Wood, 1975, p. 113). "Since God's real covenant
lies with
the father of both Judah and Israel, namely with Jacob, God's punishment will therefore
be
meted
out to Israel and Judah and His mercy will be shown to both" (Scott 1975 p. 75).
"Because Israel
exalted herself she went to far and exalted herself against God going after Baal" (Scott
1975 p.
75).
Chapter 13 is considered by most of my references to be the defining chapter of the
book
Hosea. God goes on record to describe the sins of the nation Israel and how they should
be
punished. "Instead of gratitude for the good things God gave them, they became satiated
and
proud" (Scott 1975 p. 78-79). "Hosea believed the sins were in heavens record. The
guilt would
not fade with the passing of time. Israel's sins were "bound up" (v. 12) to await the
day of
judgment" (Wood 1975, p. 121). "Like Gomer wanton Israel is running after other "loves"
instead of being faithful in her "marriage" to God" (NIV Study Bible 1992, p. 987). "The
chapter
closes with a horrible picture of the enemy's almost unbelievable cruelty and the nations
awful
fate (vv. 15-16)" (Wood 1975 p. 117).
The final chapter of the book of Hosea describes God's judgment upon the nation Israel.
"Only one solution was offered. Israel must repent" (Wood 1975, p.127). "He who said
earlier
that He would like to have healed Israel (7:1), now declares the He will do so" (Scott
1975, p.
83). "Could any contrast be greater than the declaration of judgment in 5:8-12 and the
assurance
of restoration in 14:4-7" (Southwestern Journal of Theology 1975, p.55). "The God who
redeems us purposes that we walk in his statutes free from guilt, but also free from
deceit, guile,
and willful sin. Through Hosea's closing warning, God makes His appeal to us" (Wood
1975, p.
133).
PART III
At first I was confused by the way Hosea was talking about Israel and Judah in the same
sentence (1:11). I didn't know that Israel had split into the Northern (Israel) and
southern
(Judah) kingdoms. This fact made me go back and read Tullock and find out what had
happened.
I also didn't know why the Lord would tell anyone to marry an adulterous (1:2). The
whole first
chapter had me confused and it wasn't until I read the book of Hosea and studied my
reference
material that I could make sense of what was going on. Once I'd read the entire book I
was able
to see how God had used Hosea's family life to relate to His relationship with the people
of
Israel.
At first I thought Hosea 2:1 was God telling Hosea to dump his wife for her adultery.
It
wasn't until I'd read several of my references that I came to realize it was God telling
Hosea's
children to rebuke their mother for the way she behaved. I also came to realize this was
a veiled
reference for the Israelites to forsake their idols and worship of other Gods'. When I
read Hosea
2:6 - 13 I saw a very angry God ready to punish Israel for its transgressions. Then
Hosea 2:14 -
23 contradicted everything that was said in Hosea 2:6 - 13. This confused me to no end.
I ten
began to realize how the theme, "there is absolutely nothing we can do which will
separate us
from God's love and compassion" was going to play a role in this book. It also made me
realize
that some of the current problems (murder, robbery, theft, etc..) were prevalent in
ancient times.
I also came to understand a person could call themselves "born again" and feel
completely
secure
in the feeling God would forgive them for their previous sins.
Chapter 3 has played a part in my life. My father was unfaithful to my mother and my
siblings
and I had a hard time understanding how my mother could possibly forgive him. Not only
did
she
forgive him she took him back, just as Hosea did with his unfaithful wife. The numerous
references to prostitution in chapter 4 I thought was an excellent analogy to the way the
Israelites
were giving their bodies and souls over to false Gods' just as prostitutes do to those
who also
don't acknowledge nor love them. I also see a resemblance to today's society in these
verses.
Murder, robbery, theft, lying, cheating, etc. are on the rise and we spend all our time
blaming
everything and everybody without realizing that maybe we've lost our ways in Gods' eye.
Reading chapter 5, to me, was redundant. I saw this entire chapter as a rehash of
chapter 3 v. 6
-
13.
Chapter 11 reminded me of my relationship with my son. No matter how angry I get with
him
I still love him. It also confused me because I thought it was a sign of God showing
human
characteristics until I realized God created man. Therefore, maybe we show God - like
characteristics when we forgive others. It also reminded me of my relationship with my
own
father. He's an alcoholic and spent the majority of my childhood in neighborhood bars.
Needless
to say our relationship was never close; yet I still love him. I also see this love -
hate relationship
among nations. Whether we're allies or enemies due to political or moral differences you
never
know when you'll forgive your enemy for his transgressions (perceived or real) and they
become
you staunchest ally.
I had a hard time following along in chapter 12. Hosea preaches the lord's message to
the
Israelites and he starts by describing Israel's sins against God. Again I thought this
was quite
redundant even though it wasn't through the spoken word of the Lord. I would imagine had
the
writer of the book consolidated all of Israel and Judah's sins into one chapter and Gods
anger
into
another the book could have been cut in half. Chapter 13 v. 8 made me think of the rich
today.
Do they also feel that since they're rich God can't find fault in them, or do they feel
that if they
become philanthropists God will only see good in them. Even reading my reference
material I
couldn't understand why God made reference to Gilgal sacrificing bulls (12:11). I
assumed
animal sacrifice was acceptable, at that time, and couldn't understand why God was angry
at
Gill.
His inclusion of Jacob in the reasons for Israel's downfall led me to wonder whether the
priests of
today are feeding off other peoples misery and sins. I find many current articles and
news
stories
of priests committing acts of pedophilia quite disturbing; are we also headed in the
same
direction
as Israel and Judah?
Chapter 13 made me wonder about Catholics. I'm not nor do I profess to be an expert
on
religion, but I have to wonder when I see Catholics praying to God through the Virgin
Mary, St.
Peter, St. Anthony, St. Pauly Girl, (a lame attempt at humor), and other saints and what
I think
are deities. It also made me wonder about my lack of knowledge about other religions
besides
my
own Presbyterian background. Am I wrong to assume other major religions are trying to
develop
a relationship with God through the worship of idols? My own ignorance of other
religions
became quite apparent to me when I thought of the many religous images we take for
granted, i.
e. Crosses, images of Saints, statues and images of Jesus, etc. I also wonder what will
happen
to
atheists and agnostics. Though I don't think they worship false God's I feel that
denying the
God's existence is just as bad.
I felt that God was bribing the Israelites in chapter 14 by telling them what He would
bestow
upon them if they came back into his fold. I also sensed that God was unable to control
his
"chosen people" even though he constantly told them, through his prophet Hosea, what
would
happen to them should they stray from his flock. Since He was unable to control them I
felt He
had no recourse but to try to show them the benefits they would reap for their love and
worship
of Him. I also got the feeling that he was a benevolent God and would love mankind no
matter
what sins they committed.
I came away from reading the book of Hosea feeling their was hope for all mankind.
Though
I'm constantly bombarded by newspaper articles and television reports about the sins and
evils
of
mankind I know that deep down man is not evil nor is he wicked. I feel though, that
society has a
great deal to say about his brothers, and sisters, actions. Should we turn a "blind-eye"
to the sins
and wickedness of others, are we not just as sinful and wicked. God gives us a choice
and it's
up
to us to determine the path we'll take. I have to honestly say this is the first chapter
of the Bible
(Old and New Testament) that I've studied this thoroughly and I can also say this will
not be the
last. I came into this course thinking it was just a requirement for me to receive my
degree and
I'll leave it with the knowledge that I've received more than just three credit hours.
References
Rainbow Studies, Inc. (1992). The new international version rainbow study bible (4th
ed.).
El Reno, Oklahoma: Author
Scott, Jack B. (1971). The book of hosea: a study manual (2nd Printing). Grand
Rapids,
Michigan: Baker Book House.
Tullock, John H. (1981).The old testament story (3rd ed.). Englewoods Cliff, New
Jersey:
Prentice Hall, inc.
Southwestern Journal of Theology (Fall 1975). Studies in hosea (No. 1). Fort Worth,
Texas:
Faculty of the School of Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Wood, Fred M. (1975). Hosea: prophet of reconciliation. Nashville, Tennessee:
Convention
Press.
Random House Webster's College Dictionary (1991). New York, Random House Inc.
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