Introduction of Hosea
God communicates His message to His people in different ways. Some messages are conveyed directly like the 10 commandments. God wrote them directly on the stone tablets. Most messages have been delivered through prophets inspired by the Spirit of God and through visions. In the New Testament God became “Flesh” and walked with His creation in the person of the Messiah Jesus Christ.
The Book of Hosea is two dimensional; on the one hand God gives Hosea a message to deliver to the nation of Israel, a Word from the Lord to the nation. On the other hand Hosea is told to act out the “Love” the Lord has for the sinful nation of Israel. Hosea represents God and Hosea’s wife, Gomer, represents Israel. Hosea becomes the living embodiment of God’s Grace.
Hosea Chapter 2
Introduction to Chapter 2
In Hosea Chapter One, we are introduced to Hosea, his wife Gomer and their three children. This is an actual marriage with offspring; in many ways this is a dysfunctional family. This family represents God relationship with Israel and God’s plan for Israel. Israel like Gomer has a broken relationship with God, her relationship is dysfunctional. Someone might ask why is the nation of “Israel” such an important issue in scripture. The answer is because God has chosen to work his plan of redemption through this nation.
Israel and the Messianic Line
When we go back to the fall of humanity in Genesis chapter 3, we see God put in motion a plan of redemption. He promised through the “seed of the woman” the head of the Serpent (Satan) and his offspring would be crushed, even though the “seed of the woman” would suffer a “bruised” heel.
14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:…“Because you have done this,….15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:14-15
Hosea Chapter 1
Introduction Chapter 1:
The book of Hosea can be broken into two parts Chapters 1 to 3, use the life of Hosea the prophet to illustrate God’s relationship with Israel. In chapters 4 to 14 the message of Hosea’s illustration is expanded, God speaks directly to the nation of Israel, through the words of Hosea. The Lord’s message to Israel is one of judgment and salvation. Israel was to go through judgment and chastisement but Lord would one day restore the nation.
Gomer, Hosea’s wife, represents Israel and like Israel she has engaged in whoredom and harlotry, Hosea is instructed to love and restore his wife in spite of her unfaithfulness. In same way God will restore Israel to the everlasting covenant despite of her sins.