The History of Hosea

Hosea 1:1, 2 Kings 14:23-28,  2 Kings 17:1-23 

Hosea was a prophet during the reign of Jeroboam, the son of Joash (this is important because there are two King Jeroboams). Hosea’s ministry has been estimated to have taken place between 753 BC and 687 BC. For a better timeline, God has already established his covenant, brought his people out of Israel into the promised land; Saul and David (the first kings of Israel) have come and gone. Solomon (David’s son) had reigned, and after his death, Israel once one kingdom split into two. Almost two hundred years later, Hosea is sent to the Northern part of Israel to remind people to repent and believe. During the reign of the Kings (which the complete history can be read in 1 & 2 Kings, hence the name), we see it only goes downhill for God’s people. During this time, God sends his prophets like Hosea to accuse Israel of breaking the covenant and remind them of God’s character. Hosea’s specific call is to blame Israel for whoredom by worshipping Baal and chasing alliances with Assyria. Hosea foretells the coming of Assyria, the empire that comes to invade and destroy the kingdom. God allows this to happen because it is the consequence of Israel for forsaking their God. 

They chase idols. They trust other nations over their God. Where does it take them, but to chaos and destruction? As we read the prophecy of Hosea, let us remember that instead of allowing sin to take over forever, God’s plan was one of mercy, grace, and unconditional love. That amid sin, idol worship, and forsaking our Savior to the cross, Christ pursued us, loved us, and forgave us -  undeservedly so. Church, let us see the picture of wrath and grace side by side as we walk through Hosea, remembering Jesus. The one who took the wrath that we may receive the gift of grace. Today, let us hear the call to repent and the call to believe, all in the comfort of the hands of God in which we rest.