Canonical Reading Plan for Sep 19, Hos 1-7

Today's readings are Hos 1-7.

Hosea has a long career as a prophet, running from early to mid-eighth century BC, when Jeroboam II was king of Israel, until early in the seventh century BC, when Hezekiah was king of Judah. His prophetic messages were delivered primarily to Israel during the thirty years leading up to the Assyrian invasion of 722 BC. He mentions Judah, but the main message is to Israel, sometimes referred to as Samaria (the capital city of Israel), at others, Ephraim. 

During Hosea's time, which spans much of the same time as Amos', Israel was first ruled over by Jeroboam II. Hosea lived in or near Samaria. Times were good, the economy was robust, the standard of living, at least for the upper class, was very high and life was good but not godly. The Syrians, always a problem, had been severely weakened by an Assyrian attack on Damascus in 805 BC. Israel’s kingdom expanded. By any worldly measure, things were great. By the beginning of Hosea's time, even the Assyrians were not much of a threat...yet. When Jeroboam II died, things slipped into near anarchy. Starting with Zechariah, there were six kings in thirty years. Four of them were assassinated very early in their reigns. 

Hosea is divided up into three main sections. Hos 1-3 demonstrates, in Hosea’s failed and restored marriage, God’s divine love and the extent of its unconditional nature. We see accusations leveled and a call to repent in Hos 4-7. In the last half of the book, we see a series of proclamations in the form of songs and poems.

In Hos 1-3, Hosea is called to marry a prostitute, something that is highly offensive and distasteful to a Jew. Hosea is likened to God, his wife to Israel, who has been unfaithful. God gives his children names that are part of the message Hosea carries. They are "Not Loved" and "Not My People." This is not an indication that God has abandoned Hosea or Israel. It is more an indication that Israel is not acting like God’s people (not my people) and is therefore cut off from His blessing (not loved). To emphasize this point, Hosea is called to be faithful to his wife even if she is not faithful to him. Hosea’s dedication to his unworthy wife is a picture of God's faithfulness and Israel’s failure to be likewise.

Through Hosea, his marriage and the names of his children, God speaks a sobering message to a comfortable, prosperous people. As Hosea walks through the streets of Samaria, as living evidence that despite all outward appearances something is dreadfully wrong in the kingdom, he becomes notorious for marrying a prostitute, even more so for the names of the children he carries.

Hosea’s calling is to speak the truth, not only in what he preaches but in some of the outrageous things he does, things which are symbolic of Israel’s fate if they don’t repent. Prophets are frequently called to live out their messages as a graphic portrayal of God's truth.

In Hos 4-7, we read all the reasons Israel is unfaithful and see how far they have fallen. It’s a tough message for people that are experiencing prosperity. There is a warning and a call to repent. God grieves over the rebellion of His children and implores them to mend their ways. If not, judgment is coming.

In short, Israel has become complacent in their faith. When they’re in trouble, they cry out to God for help. When things are going well, they put Him on the back burner. God will neither be taken for granted nor displaced in priority.  The upcoming tribulation is not designed to punish Israel but to demonstrate their need for Him. As their alliances with pagan nations fail, as they lose their prosperity, as they become captive to their own sinful desires, they will realize that God is their only hope and salvation.