Hosea: Prophet of God’s Love

KEY VERSE: “I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” —Hosea 6:6

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Hosea 1:1-3; 3:1,2; 6:4-6; 11:14

THE PROPHET HOSEA was a contemporary of Amos in the Northern kingdom, while Isaiah and Micah were actively serving Judah in the South. As God’s messenger, Hosea ministered to those of the ten-tribe kingdom during their greatest depravity and he made every effort to turn them from idolatry back to God. However, he was unsuccessful in his undertaking, and as a result Israel soon was taken captive to Babylon.

The Lord permitted Hosea to endure some very trying experiences in the form of domestic troubles. Seemingly, this was to impress upon his mind the Lord’s view of Israel, here described as God’s spouse. Clearly, such an experience should have given Hosea a keen sense of how God felt about the sinfulness of his people. It is a story of one-sided love and faithfulness that represents the relationship between Israel and God. As Gomer was married to Hosea, so Israel was pictured as betrothed to God. Both relationships gradually disintegrate; Gomer runs after other men and Israel runs after other gods. Israel’s spiritual adultery is here illustrated in Gomer’s physical adultery, while Jehovah depicts the faithful husband.

Hosea’s loyal love for Gomer is seen as a reflection of God’s concern for Israel. Though Israel has flagrantly violated all of God’s commandments and rebels in arrogance and idolatry, God still wants to heal and redeem them. To be sure, God is always holy and just, but he is also loving and gracious. God disciplines, but because of his endless love, he will ultimately save and restore his wayward people.

In Acts 3:20-26, we follow the account of Peter and John as they healed a lame beggar at the gate of the temple soon after the Day of Pentecost. While the people watch in amazement as the two apostles perform such an unheard-of miracle, Peter is inspired to deliver a stirring sermon. He assures those present that God has promised to restore and heal Israel and, indeed, all mankind of their sins, during the thousand-year period of Christ’s kingdom. Peter said, “He [God] shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution [restoration) of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. … Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenants which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindred of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son, Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”

Peter was, indeed, pointing to Hosea as one of God’s holy prophets for having delivered many remarkable prophecies. For example, he said, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction.” (Hos. 13:14) There is no question but that the prophet was here speaking on the very same subject Peter did in his sermon: the universal day of healing—Christ’s kingdom.

Finally, Hosea’s prophecy closed with a beautiful description of how God plans to bestow his mercy and love upon Israel and all mankind: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.” Then those who have been healed will respond with the words of Hosea 14:4-9.

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