Hosea

Hosea is a prophet during the time when Israel and Judah were divided. God told him to go and marry a prostitute and have children with her as a living message to the people of Israel and Judah. He married Gomer and had children named Jezreel (son) which was named after the Jezreel valley where King Jesu had committed murders for God was about to punish him. Next they had a daughter which God had him name Lo-ruhamah which means not loved because God was not going to show love for Israel but works show love for Judah due to Israel’s disobedience. Then they had another son, Lo-ammi which means “not my people” because Israel was not God’s people due to their rejection of God. The chapter ends with a prophecy that one day, the Jews would be as innumerable as the sands of the sea.

Principles: God may ask you to do some hard things to accomplish His plan.

In this chapter God compares Hosea’s wife to Israel. Hosea’s wife goes back to prostitution just like Israel goes back to worshiping false gods. Yet despite God allowing Israel to go through discipline, God still loves them and woos them back.

Principles: It is always God’s efforts that carry the day and are abundantly loving.

God tells Hosea to go and bring Gomer back from prostitution paying a redemption fee. However, he tells her that she will not be able to leave or have relations with anyone for a while. This illustrates that Israel will be without a king or priests for some time but in the end David’s heir will again rule.

Principles: God brings us back to Himself because of His great love.

In this chapter, Hosea shares a message of God’s judgment against Israel that he has been demonstrating in his marriage to Gomer the prostitute.

Principles: God disciplines in order to bring us back to Him.

God calls out the leadership of Israel because they have led the people astray and not followed God.

Principles: leaders lead before God.

This chapter is a call to repentance. It reminds the reader of what God wants out of the relationship. It reminds them of the reason that they are where they are.

Principles: God wants to be in relationship with us.

This chapter continues pointing out Israel’s rebellion against God.

Principles: our actions when not aligned with God’s purposes pull us away from Him.

This chapter talks about how the people are calling out for God to save them from the results of their sin but it’s too late because the consequences are in process. The heart of their cries is not in repentance but in avoidance of the repercussions of their sins.

Principles: God forgives when we repent but our actions have consequences.

Hosea shares the coming judgment against Israel. He talks about the corruption that is in Israel and that nothing they do will be worthy of honoring God.

Principles: when sin has set in, it taints everything.

This chapter continues talking about how Israel is not living right and they are heading towards judgment. Hosea notes that riches were part of what moved them away from God.

Principles: when God blesses, the blessing must not become the focus.

This chapter talks about God’s love for Israel and compares the relationship to a father and son. Despite God loving and caring for Israel, Israel went after false gods. It notes that God won’t destroy Israel because of His love for Israel. It ends with a comparison between Israel and Judah. Judah has remained faithful to God until that point.

Principles: God’s love and mercy keeps us alive.

This chapter continues to speak of Israel and how it has sinned against God and become corrupt working to get support from other nations instead of relying on God. Instead of giving God any glory for His provision they take credit for the things that have happened positively. They take credit in the hypocrisy if their cheated wins.

Principles: God sees when we cheat to win.

In this chapter we see a picture of God’s love pouring out to Israel when they put their faith in Him. It is a picture of joy, fulfillment, and forgiveness.

Principles: a life living for God is one of joy.