S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Author: Hosea 1:1 identifies the author of the book as the Prophet Hosea. It is Hosea's personal account of his prophetic messages to the children of God and to the world. Hosea is the only prophet...

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November 15 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt

Hosea was a messenger to Israel (called Ephraim) while Jeroboam was king, and while Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah.

Hosea is a form of the name “Joshua” and “Jesus,” which means “salvation” or “deliverance.” As with the other prophets, the meaning of the name provides the theme for the book. Hosea’s theme is salvation and deliverance.

The words “savior,” “save” (“yasa”) appear in Hosea 1:7, 13:4, 10, 14:3. Twice God refers to the great moment when He delivered Israel out of Egypt, Hosea 12:9, 13:4. Hosea shows that salvation is found by turning from sin and turning to the Lord. Israel had broken the covenant with the Lord, Hosea 6:7, 8:1, and even made a covenant with Assyria, Hosea 12:1, seeking help from the great king (Jareb is translated “high king” in the Septuagint), who did not help Ahaz, but distressed him, II Chronicles 28:20. To be delivered/saved, Israel had to repent and come back to the love and intimate knowledge of the Lord, Hosea 2:19-20, 4:1, 6, 5:15, 6:1-3, 6, 10:12, 14:1-2. 

Hosea used many metaphors to describe Israel, Hosea 4:16, 10:11, 6:4, 7:3-8, 7:11, 8:7-9, 9:10, 10:1, 7. But, one of the main things portrayed was a living parable of the unfaithful, idolatrous, and adulterous condition of Israel. God commanded Hosea to marry Gomer, Hosea 1:2. As it is unlikely that God would direct the prophet to marry a harlot, Deuteronomy 22:20-21, she probably later became the “wife of harlotry.” The proof seems to be the parallel of Gomer to Israel. Israel was not defiled at first, Hosea 11:1-4, Jeremiah 2:2-3, but she went astray, Hosea 9:10. In like manner, Gomer was likely at first a faithful wife and then went astray, Hosea 2:5. 

Three children were born to them, later labeled “children of harlotry” when their mother became one. They were named for judgments God had in store for Israel:

Jezreel, a son – “God scatters,” Hosea 1:4-5
Lo-Ruhamah, a daughter – “no mercy,” Hosea 1:6-7
Lo-Ammi, a son – “not my people,” Hosea 1:8-9

God promised Israel that in a future time, He, in love and mercy, would restore her, Hosea 2:16-18, 14:4-7. Hosea bought back his wife, the almost unrecognizable Gomer. God also loved His estranged nation, which would live without resemblance of relationship, Hosea 3:1-5. However, it would eventually change, Hosea 2:19-20. Then, the names of the children would have different meanings, Hosea 1:10, 2:1, 23. 

Jezreel is now “God sows”
Ruhamah means “mercy”
Ammi means “my people”

The last two names were later applied to both Jewish and Gentile believers in the Lord, Romans 9:25-26, I Peter 2:10. Furthermore, God will ransom and redeem His people, Hosea 13:14, as Paul alludes to later concerning the resurrection, I Corinthians 15:54-56, when salvation is finally complete. 

Ephraim will in time repent and return to the Lord, Hosea 14:8-9. The book of Hosea is a vivid message that God, in His unending love and mercy, will not forsake His people, Hosea 11:8, but save them.

May 30 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report