Hosea at a glance + The Blueprint

HOSEA at a glance + The Blueprint

 

THE PURPOSE OF THE WRITING:  To show God’s love for an unrepentant people.

WHO IS THE AUTHOR: Hosea, son of Beeri ... note: Hosea means “salvation”.

WHO IS HIS AUDIENCE:  The people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN:  Roughly 715 BC, documenting events from 753 thru 715 BC.

WHAT WAS THE SETTING:  Hosea began his ministry during the end of the prosperous but morally declining reign of Jeroboam II of Israel ... note: the upper class were doing well, but they were oppressing the poor ... Hosea prophesied until a little after the fall of Samaria in 722 BC.

 

THE BLUEPRINT

 

A. HOSEA’S WAYWARD WIFE (HOSEA 1:1 thru 3:5) - God told Hosea to marry a woman He knew would be unfaithful to the prophet. This was to be an illustration of God’s love and faithfulness toward a rebellious and disobedient people. This is our example adopting the ways of the world by compromising our Christian lifestyles. That is being unfaithful.

 

B. GOD’S WAYWARD PEOPLE (HOSEA 4:1 thru 14:9) - As with all peoples throughout history, God’s desire was that the people of the Northern Kingdom repent of their sin and return to solely worshipping Him. We see throughout Hosea that Israel is referred to as ignorant of God, having NO desire whatsoever to please Him. As Hosea’s wife Gomer didn’t understand her husband, so Israel didn’t understand their God. Because of God’s desire for all of mankind to know Him and turn to Him daily His extreme patience comes into play, like a father with his disobedient children.

 

Tomorrow we’ll be focusing on the Mega-Themes of Hosea. Until that time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible