Introduction to Hosea

     Hosea prophesied to Israel, the northern kingdom, about their spiritual and moral decline as they trusted in foreign alliances rather than God and repeatedly worshiped idols (spiritual adultery). He prophesied in a politically hostile climate in which several kings were murdered by their successors (753-723 B.C.). Zechariah had reigned as king for six months and was murdered by Shallum (2 Ki. 15:8-10), and Shallum reigned one month and was murdered by Menahem, who reigned for ten years and died of unknown causes (2 Ki. 15:13-22). Menahem’s son, Pekahiah, reigned two years and was murdered by Pekah (2 Ki. 15:22-25), and Pekah reigned twenty years and was murdered by Hoshea (2 Ki. 15:27-30), who reigned for nine years and was defeated by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria (2 Ki. 17:1-6). This behavior is symptomatic of the spiritual decline that started with Israel’s leadership and influenced the thoughts, values, and behaviors of the nation.

     Sin, judgment, and salvation are at the core of Hosea’s message to Israel. Israel was guilty of idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal, the Canaanite fertility god (Hosea 4:17; 8:4-6; 11:2; 13:2). Israel’s covenant relationship with the Lord was likened to a marriage; therefore, when she went after other gods, it was regarded as spiritual adultery (Hosea 1:2; 2:2-5; 3:1; 4:11-15; 5:4; 6:10). In the midst of these historical events, God called Hosea to marry a woman who would become unfaithful to him, yet he was to love her in spite of her infidelity, and in this sense, his marriage serves as a pedagogical analogy of God’s covenant love for Israel.

     The prophet’s message is understood according to the background of the Mosaic covenant and the Deuteronomic blessings (Deut. 28:1-14) and cursings (Deut. 28:15-68). Israel had reached zero hour and there was no offer of repentance, only a message that judgment was coming (Hosea 1:2-9; 2:2-13; 4:1-5:15; 6:4-11:7; 11:12-13:16). However, according to the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 12:1-3), God’s people would never be completely destroyed, and so there was also a message of salvation and hope (Hosea 1:10-2:1; 2:14-3:5; 6:1-3; 11:8-11: 14:1-9).