Background: HOSEA (Hoh see' uh) Personal name meaning, "help" or "salvation." In Hebrew the name is the same as that of Joshua's original name (Num. 13:16; Deut. 32:44) and of the last king of Israel (2 Kings 17:1), who lived at the same time as the prophet. One of David's officers bore the name (1 Chron. 27:20) as did a clan chief in the time of Nehemiah (Neh. 10:23). English translators have often chosen to spell the prophet's name Hosea to distinguish him from the others, whose names they spell, Hoshea. The prophet's name "Hosea" appears in the Bible only at Hosea 1:1,2; Romans 9:25. Assyria's rise to power posed a constant threat to Israel's national existence. Hosea's name symbolized the pressing need for national deliverance.

Title of the first book in the section of the Hebrew Bible called the Book of the Twelve, named after its prophetic hero. The small prophetic books that make up this section frequently are designated Minor Prophets, which is a description of size as compared to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. His message pointed the nation to the deliverer (Hos. 13:4). The two broad divisions of the Book of Hosea are: (1) Hosea's Marriage, Hosea 1-3; and (2) Hosea's Messages, Hosea 4-14. The dominant theme of the book is love (covenant fidelity), God's unrelenting love for His wayward people and Israel's unreliable love for God. This book is a difficult book to read or study because of its vague and obscure verses. Much of the book seems to be made up of excerpts from oral addresses which cover a long period of time. The book comes from a sensitive man who suffered greatly, and who is torn with agony and tragic times.

Hosea's ministry was from the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His familiarity with place names, religious practices, and political conditions in Israel suggests that he was a native. In contrast, Amos, who ministered as a prophet in Israel shortly before Hosea's ministry there, was from Tekoa in Judah. Both prophets preached judgment, Amos with a lion's roar and Hosea with a broken heart. Hosea was a contemporary of Isaiah. The title verse of Isaiah contains the same list of Judean kings. References to Hosea's family serve as prophetic symbolism of God and His family Israel. How to interpret the prophet's marriage is not a settled issue. A few take the marriage to be an allegory. Some accept it as a literal marriage to a woman who became promiscuous after marriage. Most handle it as an actual marriage to a cult prostitute. Every interpreter must keep in mind the obvious intent of the material to serve as prophetic symbolism of God's relationship to Israel. The Theology At the heart of Hosea's theology was the relationship between God and Israel. Hosea's stress is not upon righteousness and justice, as was the case with Amos, but the knowledge of God and loyal love. God's love for Israel would not permit Him to give up on them in spite of their lack of knowledge and infidelity. Hope for Israel's future lay in their repentance and God's forgiveness and love that made Him willing to restore their relationship. (Holman Bible Dictionary)

I. Believing The Unbelievable (vv.1-3a)

1. Hosea's Call (v.1)

A. The Divine nature of the inspiration is identified in the phrase, "The Word of Yahweh which was unto Hosea..."
B. Although Hosea was the human mouthpiece, God was the inspiration of the words that Hosea spoke, which was accomplished through the ministry of the Spirit, and the office of prophet.

2. God's Command (v.2)

A. Much debate has centered on this circumstances of Hosea's marriage.

1) Some believe this is only visionary or allegorical, and not literal.
2) However, this account is presented as a straightforward narrative, not as a vision or symbolism.

B. God sometimes required His prophets to carry out orders that many would consider over and above the call of duty (Isa.20:1-4; Ezek.4:1-5:4)
C. The book of Hosea does not provide information concerning Gomer's premarital sexual experience, nor describes her condition at the time of marriage, but the language used (Lit., "wife of adultery") anticipates what she proved to be, a wife characterized by unfaithfulness.

3. Hosea's Response (v.3a)

A. Hosea's obedience to God's command to marry was immediate.
B. He raised no questions concerning the strange order.

Application: God sometimes directs us to do something unusual or even unpleasant, and often we respond with reluctance, if at all. While we may question God's motives in our lives, often it isn't until we look back on our lives that we can see God's purpose. Another aspect of this is, how do we view those like Hosea when their lives don't match up to our expectations?

1. Jezreel (vv.3b-5)

A. JEZ-reel: "God sows," "Bow of Israel," "A trial is coming," or " Judgment is sure."
B. This refers to Jehu's slaughter of his enemies at Jezreel (2 Kings 9-10), when he went too far in carrying out God's instructions to destroy the house of Ahab, and did it with hatred and great personal vengeance. Because of his zeal, God was going to allow his descendants to suffer for it when the Assyria army would take the land in the Valley of Jezreel.

2. Lo-ruhamah (vv.6-8a)

A. lo-roo-HA-muh: "Not have mercy (uncompassionate)," "God will not help," or "No father's pity."
B. This signified that Israel would no longer be pitied but would be sent into captivity, while Judah would be spared from the assaults of the Assyrians. Although God is providentially guiding the Jewish nation, they would not enjoy God's mercies as before.

3. Lo-ammi (vv.8b-9)

A. lo-AM-i: "Not my people," or "Not mine."
B. This speaks of God's temporary rejection of the nation because of their sins.

III. God's Faithfulness (vv.10-11)

1. Israel's judgment was only temporary, God would regather Israel and Judah and acknowledge them as His own. Hosea closes with a great affirmation of hope. God will gather His people, claim them once again, and show them mercy. The names of the children will be changed to "My People" and "Mercy" (2:1).

2. The apostle Paul in Romans 9:26, quotes these verses and applies them to the call of the Gentiles.

I. Three Ways To Ruin A Relationship (vv.1-13)
 

1. Adultery (Idolatry: vv.1-5a).

A. The Lord's wife (Israel), by her unfaithful behavior, had for all practical purposes severed the relationship with her husband, but the Lord issued a call for repentance and for the nation to abandon its adulterous activity (v.2)
B. As a result of her action she would become incapable of reproduction (v.3), and her children were rejected making them orphans (vv.4-5a)

2. Ingratitude (vv.5b-9).

A. Instead of being grateful to her husband for support and thanking Him, she was ungrateful and chased after other lovers (Baal worship) to supply her food and water, wool, and wax (v.5b).

B. But God blocks Israel's plans and she will search frantically for happiness, but will only know futility (vv.6-9).

3. Hypocrisy (vv.10-13).

A. Israel had become a hypocrite (one who pretends to be virtuous) claiming to be God's people, but in truth they had forgotten their Lord and chased after other lovers.

B. God declares that He will expose her hypocrisy (v.10) to all lovers.

II. The God of Reconciliation (vv.14-23)

1. God will woo His wife (Israel) back (v.14).

A. The people may have forgotten the Lord but He will not forget them.
B. God would be so tender when he entreated Israel that she would come to depend upon him to the fullest. God's words would comfort Israel, and assure her of His loving presence.

2. The Lord guarantees a return to their land and a restoration of their prosperity (v.15).

A. The anguish of exile will be turned by God into the joy of forgiveness.
B. Their exodus from exile will be a joyful affair.

3. The Lord will end their idolatry (vv.16-17).

A. The phrase "in that day"(v.16) was used often by the prophets, and stood for the time when God would act decisively (judgment or salvation).
B. God would remove the love of idols from her heart and she would no longer call Baal her husband.

4. God will restore His relationship with His wife and her land (Israel and the millennial kingdom: vv.18-23).

A. The restoration of God's marriage with Israel is described in terms of betrothal (a new beginning), and will be based upon several things.

1) Righteousness and Justice (vindication through deliverance).
2) Love (unswerving devotion).
3) Compassion (tender feelings which motivates a person to gracious action).
4) Faithfulness (dependability and constant loyalty).

B. Israel will acknowledge the Lord (in contrast to her old nature).
C. Both man and nature would have a part in God's purpose and both will function as God had intended (vv.21-22).
D. God recognizes His people and they their God (v.23).

1) The sinner is brought home to peace, joy, and service.
2) God's redemptive purpose will be accomplished.