Hosea Series

Hosea

Hosea's first three children had very unusual names. His family story was a metaphor for God's relationship with Israel.

The Book of Hosea is addressed to the people of the northern kingdom — Israel. It contains both a warning concerning future events and the meaning of these incidents. Throughout the book, the prophet Hosea speaks to the people of Israel about the critical situation that developed during the years that immediately followed the death of Jeroboam II. When Amos prophesied concerning the tragedy that would befall the nation, he was promptly rejected by those who were "happy in Zion" and convinced that no wickedness would ever come upon their land. However, when Hosea came on the scene only a short time later, these notions had changed. Events had occurred that shook the confidence of even the most positive thinking persons. No longer was there a committed government on which the people could rely. The lineage of kings changed rapidly, and often the change was accompanied by violence. With the invasion by the Assyrian armies looming, Israel kept the peace only by paying an enormous tribute to the Assyrian rulers.

In order to produce this tribute, it was necessary to impose a program of taxation that placed an onerous burden on the people. However, there were always those who hated paying tribute to a foreign power. At times, this bitterness led to open revolt. The Israelite king would be murdered, and his killer would take over the reins of government. The circumstances were muddled, and no one knew what to do. In desperation, the priests increased the number of sacrifices, offered more prayers, and called more solemn assemblies, but none of these actions stemmed the downward tide. Under these strained and frustrating circumstances, Hosea performed his task as a spokesman for Yahweh. The first part of Hosea records the heart-rending story of the prophet's unfortunate marital incidents. Hosea's wife, Gomer (Who would name a woman Gomer?), whom he married in good faith, was an adulterous woman. Three children were born to her, but sadly, they were not Hosea's. Because of Gomer's unfaithfulness, Micah divorced his wife and dwelt apart from her. Following her separation from the home, Gomer continued her adulterous life and ultimately was hardly different from an ordinary slave. However, Hosea still loved her despite her infidelity. He sought her out and purchased her freedom to rescue her from her lovers.

Whether this story is considered a fantasy or a record of actual experiences in Hosea's home life is a question concerning which there are diverse views. The material found in the book's third chapter suggests what Hosea regards as the meaning of his experiences regarding Yahweh's dealings with the people of Israel. Yahweh chose Israel and entered into a covenant association with it, but Israel has been unfaithful to the covenant; it has abandoned the one its loyalty was promised to and now serves other gods. The immoral practices followed by the worshipers of the Canaanite Baal gods have become a part of the religious life of the Israelites, and even their avowed worship of Yahweh has been polluted with the philosophies and ceremonial rites of Baal worship. Because of this infidelity on the part of Israel, Yahweh allowed the Assyrians to overrun the land and take the people into captivity. However, unlike Amos, for whom the coming captivity would be final, Hosea views the captivity as a means of bringing the Israelites to their proper senses: After they have learned their lesson, they will return to their land, and a king who is like King David will reign over them.

Understanding that his own relationship to Gomer parallels the relationship between Yahweh and Israel, he realizes that Yahweh used this lesson to communicate his will and purpose to those who claim to be his people. As this lesson, which comes out of his unpleasant marital experiences, becomes more apparent to Hosea, he records it from the standpoint of his later years. From this point of view, we can understand Hosea's statement that Yahweh instructed him to marry an adulterous woman and later directed him to make preparations for her moral renewal.

The remainder of the Book of Hosea consists of a collection of miscellaneous statements stating Hosea's opinions concerning the role of Yahweh and Yahweh's relation to the people of Israel. Hosea appears to have had the temperament of a poet; his thoughts are typically expressed in terms of solid comparisons and striking figures of speech. Nevertheless, it is not always easy to understand what he is saying. His statements are not arranged in chronological order, nor do they indicate the time or circumstances they were delivered. Despite these difficulties, the materials contained in these chapters reveal some remarkable insights that contributed in no small way to the expansion of Israel's religious ideals.