by Katrina
LINK: Hosea 1-2
BACKGROUND
Hosea, Joshua, and Jesus are all variations of the same name which means "salvation." The prophet Hosea ministered in the northern nation of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II, son of Joash. Hosea was a contemporary of Isaiah and Micah who both ministered in the southern nation of Judah. Hosea's prophecy was during the times of four Judean kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, which means his ministry spanned at least 50 years.
God orchestrated Hosea's domestic life as an illustration of His message to Israel. Hosea's wife Gomer represented the nation of Israel. Her harlotry represented Israel's spiritual harlotry.
Their first child was named Jezreel which means "God sows" and refers to a valley in northern Israel. This was where Jehu murdered the 70 sons of Ahab in order to seize the throne for himself (2 Kings 10:1-11).
Next, a daughter was born and was named Lo-ruhamah which means "unpitied." God's compassion would be withheld from Israel and His wrath poured on her.
The third child was another son and was named Lo-ammi which means "not my people." Israel was not acting like a people belonging to God, and God would chastise them accordingly.
In the final two verses of chapter one, God promised three great blessings to Israel: the nation would increase, the people would turn to God, and Judah and Israel would be reunited as one nation under one king.
Chapter three begins with God's accusations against Israel and His responses: spiritual adultery brings dissatisfaction in that unfaithfulness (v 2-7) and ungratefulness to God results in God withholding His blessings and bringing destruction (v 8-13).
Once again, though, God did not leave them without hope. The rest of chapter two (v 14-23) describes the restoration of Israel. This passage gives a beautiful description of complete restoration. God says three times that He will betroth Israel to Himself. He will respond to her needs and draw her to Himself. Israel will once again be God's people and He will be her God.
REFLECTION/APPLICATION
One of Israel's great sins was her ungratefulness. Are we grateful for all that God provides for us? Or do we take it for granted? Do we thank Him for all the blessings we have? Or take the credit for ourselves?
PRAYEROffer to God a prayer of thankfulness today for as many blessings as you can think of!
1 comment:
I'm late here, but hopefully you'll see this. Every time I read Hosea I am struck by two things:
1.) What God required of Hosea - not an easy thing to marry and love a woman who would be unfaithful, one who would cause such heartache. It's so easy to lose sight of that in the theology.
2.) The language - so direct and graphic. God doesn't mince words. He certainly tells it like it is. ("adulteries between her breasts," "chase her lovers,"). What am I harboring, I wonder?
The prophets certainly keep us from putting God in a box, from oversimplifying Him and His work in us and this world!
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