The book of Hosea
Hosea is the first of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament . He lived in Israel, the northern kingdom (also called Ephraim or Jacob), which 200 years earlier had seceded from the southern kingdom of Judah. Let's take a closer look at this book, written between 750 and 720 BC.
What does the Book of Hosea tell us?
This book brings together the preaching and writings of Hosea, most of which belong to the poetic literary genre. The book can be divided into 3 parts.
Hosea's marriage and its symbolic value (chapters 1 to 3)
Chapters 1 to 3 recall the broken marriage between Hosea and Gomer, following the latter's adultery. Together they had three children.
Despite Gomer's adultery, God calls Hosea to return to her, pledging his love and faithfulness. This episode recalls God's faithfulness to Israel, when he rescued the Israelites from slavery, brought them to Mount Sinai and sealed a covenant with them. In the Promised Land, instead of remaining faithful to God, Israel prostituted itself by worshiping other gods, such as dedicating wealth to the Canaanite god Baal.
Israel's crimes and punishments (chapters 4 to 13)
Hosea looks at the causes and effects of Israel's unfaithfulness. Israel's lack of knowledge (4:1) of God is one of the causes of their breaking the Ten Commandments, their hypocritical attitudes and their worship of other gods. For the prophet, this knowledge must not be intellectual, but personal. In this way, Israel will be able to change its heart and love God. Among the causes of Israel's unfaithfulness, Hosea also denounces a lack of love and discernment.
We can also note that in these chapters, Hosea recalls and denounces Israel's crimes and punishments, due to its general corruption, its worship that did not respect God's will. Their idolatry and debauchery, and their reliance on political alliances with Egypt and Assyria (chapter 12) instead of relying on God. To this end, Israel's sacrifices are particularly denounced, including worshiping other gods in their altars at Bethel and Gilgal.
At the beginning of chapter 11, Amos shows how God behaved like a Father, loving and uplifting Israel. But the latter rebelled, then turned to Baals and idols. Despite Israel's crimes and infidelities, Hosea again shows God's faithfulness: "Shall I forsake thee, Ephraim, and deliver thee up, O Israel?" (11:8)
Israel's conversion and return to grace (Chapter 14)
In the final chapter, Hosea calls Israel to repent and return to God (14:2). God describes the new people of Israel as a tree that will grow in abundance (14:7-8), again showing how Israel will once again become a source of blessings.
11 Bible passages from the book of Hosea
"When the Lord began to speak with Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea: Go, get for yourself a woman of prostitution and children of prostitution, for the land prostitutes itself, turning away from the L ord . So he went and took Gomer, daughter of Diblaim; and she conceived and bore him a son." (Hosea 1:2-3)
"If she runs after her lovers, she will not overtake them; if she seeks them she will not find them. Then she will say, “I will go back to my first husband, for I was better off then than now.” She did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, I who lavished upon her silver, and gold, which they used for Baal!" (Hosea 2:9-10)
"Again the Lord said to me: Go, love a woman who is loved by her spouse but commits adultery; Just as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes."(Hosea 3:1)
"Hear the word of the Lord, Israelites, for the Lord has a dispute with the inhabitants of the land: There is no fidelity, no loyalty, no knowledge of God in the land. Swearing, lying, murder, stealing and adultery break out; bloodshed follows bloodshed." (Hosea 4:1-2)
"My people consult their piece of wood, and their wand makes pronouncements for them, For the spirit of prostitution has led them astray; they prostitute themselves, forsaking their God. On the mountaintops they offer sacrifice and on the hills they burn incense, Beneath oak and poplar and terebinth, because of their pleasant shade. Therefore your daughters prostitute themselves, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery." (Hosea 4:12-13)
"Though you prostitute yourself, Israel, do not let Judah become guilty! Do not come to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, do not swear, “As the Lord lives!” For like a stubborn cow, Israel is stubborn; Will the Lord now pasture them, like lambs in a broad meadow? Ephraim is bound to idols, let him alone!" (Hosea 4:15-17)
"When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin, they became altars for sinning." (Hosea 8:11)
"Israel is a luxuriant vine whose fruit matches its growth. The more abundant his fruit, the more altars he built; The more productive his land, the more sacred pillars he set up. Their heart is false! Now they will pay for their guilt: God will break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars." (Hosea 10:1-2)
"When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son." (Hosea 11:1)
"Return, Israel, to the Lord, your God; you have stumbled because of your iniquity." (Hosea 14:2)
"Who is wise? Let him understand these things! Who is intelligent? Let him know them! For the voices of the Lord are upright: the righteous will walk in them, but the rebellious will fall. (14,10)
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