Hosea
The Interlude of Love
This short chapter pictures the nation’s exile and return. The Lord makes known His plans for the redemption of the prodigal nation. Although this chapter is short, its prophecies survey God’s past (v. 1), present (vv. 2-4), and future (v. 5) relationship with Israel. Israel will experience a time of …
Israel Will Be Punished
It was customary in Hosea’s day for people to rejoice at harvest time. Israel, however, was commanded not to do so. She had attributed the abundance she experienced to the idols she worshiped, instead of to God who sent it (v. l). Because of her spiritual defection crops failed and …
God Condemns Israel’s Idolatry
God brings a charge of disobedience against Israel (v. l). The religious leader had replaced true worship with ritual prostitution. The nation had gone downhill spiritually and morally, breaking God’s laws. The people were quick to condemn Hosea’s wife for her adultery but slow to see their …
A Call to Repentance
In these verses we find that the people did not understand the depth of their sins. They did not turn from their idols, regret their sins or pledge to make changes (vv. l-2). It seems that they thought …
The Lord Promises to Punish Israel
Israel prospered under King Jeroboam’s leadership by gaining military and economic strength. However, the more prosperous the nation became the more they used their income for building more altars for idol worship (v.1). It is often the same today. More wealth means more worship of …