Hosea, the Man and His Message

HOSEA 4:1-9

HOSEA was the first of the minor prophets, and his prophetic career extended from about 800 to 713 B.C. His prophecies were delivered to the kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II. Nothing is known of the prophet’s life except what may be gained from his book.

The Book of Hosea in a general way is composed of condemnation against Israel because of the nation’s sins, warnings of the dire calamities which would befall the people unless they repented, and assurances of the Lord’s love and readiness to cause his face to shine upon them if they would only return to him with their whole hearts. In this respect Hosea’s message to Israel is not unlike that of the entire Bible as it pertains to God’s dealings with the human race. Indeed, the prophet suggests this when he writes, “But they like men Hebrew, Adam] have transgressed the covenant.”—Chapter 6:7

While God did not give Adam a written law, engraved on tables of stone, there was an implied covenant between them, the divine law being written in Adam’s heart. He broke this covenant by his disobedience and thereby brought himself and all his offspring under condemnation. God entered into a formal covenant with Israel, based upon the Law given at Sinai, and now, like Adam, Israel was violating the terms of that covenant, and this was resulting in condemnation—a condemnation which ultimately cost the nation the loss of the chief place in God’s messianic arrangements.

“Hear the Word of the Lord,” wrote the prophet to Israel, and then added, “The Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” the prophet further wrote. The reference here is, of course, to the knowledge of God, and it is certain that those who despise such knowledge cannot continue to enjoy the favor of God.

This was true of Israel, and it has also been true of the whole world. Concerning mankind in general who once knew God but preferred to forget him, Paul wrote, “When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” In the same connection the apostle wrote concerning these that “God gave them up.”—Rom. 1:21,26

It was the same with Israel, as our lesson reveals. Through the prophet, the Lord told Israel that he would destroy (Hebrew, “cut off”) their mother. The Apostle Paul explains that the Law Covenant served as a mother to natural Israel. (Gal. 4:22-25) Because of Israel’s transgressions, they were brought into bondage by the Law, and finally lost God’s favor altogether, except for his promises to restore them at the beginning of the millennial age.

The Lord held the religious leaders of Israel most responsible for the wrongdoing of the nation. The expression, “like people, like priest,” indicates that the priesthood was setting a bad example, an example which the people readily followed because it was more pleasing to their fallen flesh. Under the circumstances it is no wonder that they did not endeavor to gain a knowledge of God, for such knowledge would have rebuked them, and they would not have been so much at ease in their sins.

HOSEA 6:1-3

In this passage we have Israel’s declaration, “Come, and let us return unto the Lord.” In this also the experience of this one little nation is akin to that which the whole world will know; for, when the Lord turns to the people a pure language, they will all call upon him to serve him with one consent. (Zeph. 3:9) In the case of Israel, as well as of the world, this happy ending of the long night of rebellion and suffering could not come until the morning of earth’s new day, the morning that is ushered in by the rising of the “Sun of Righteousness.”—Malachi 4:2

And when the Israelites return to the Lord, he will show his favor to them. During the long period in which his back has been turned upon them, they have suffered because he has smitten them. But in his due time, and when they repent, he will heal them. This due time, the prophet indicates, will be “after two days,” that on “the third day” he will raise them up.

The long period of sin and death, beginning with the transgression of Adam, has been one of six thousand years, or six days, each a thousand years long. The seventh day is the Millennium. Israel’s casting off from divine favor as pronounced by Jesus, occurred early in the fifth thousand-year day from creation, and continued throughout the sixth. (Matt. 23:38) Now we are in the beginning of the seventh—the third day mentioned by Hosea—and already we see signs of Israel’s restoration. They have not yet turned to the Lord, hence he has not healed them, but before many more years of this special period of returning favor have passed this prophecy will be completely fulfilled.

Referring to the Lord, the prophet wrote, “His going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” The “going forth” of the Lord is a reference to his program of blessing upon restored Israel and the world. It is “prepared as the morning,” declares the prophet, thus reminding us that the favor of God was to be manifested toward Israel in the millennial morning, when the “Sun of Righteousness” would arise “with healing in his wings.”

“And he shall come unto us as the rain,” the prophecy continues. In Psalm 72:6 David describes the kingdom blessings which are to come upon all mankind, Jew and Gentile, saying, “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.” Surely there are wonderful blessings awaiting Israel and the world when they return to the Lord, acknowledge their sins, and seek his guidance and help.

HOSEA 10:12, 13

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy,” wrote Hosea. Paul wrote, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7) For centuries Israel sowed iniquity, or as stated in verse 13, “plowed wickedness,” and they finally reaped the terrible results. But in this passage the prophet is encouraging them to undertake a different sowing, a sowing in righteousness. This called for repentance and a returning to the Lord, and the assurance is given that they would reap mercy—that is, if they returned to the Lord, divine mercy would be shown toward them. This is in keeping with the New Testament explanation given by Paul in Romans 11:32.

QUESTIONS

In what respect is the Book of Hosea descriptive of the experiences of the entire human race, as well as of Israel?

Why is a knowledge of God essential in order to serve him acceptably?

What is meant by the prophecy that God’s favor was to return to Israel after two days, and that he would heal them during the third day?

In what sense is the Lord’s going forth to heal Israel like the morning?

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