Bible Commentaries
Hosea

Outline of Hosea

God’s Love for His Apostate People

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I cast thee off, Israel ? Hosea 11:8

I. Gomer, Unfaithful but Beloved, a Symbol of Israel, Hosea 1-3

1. The Prophet’s Wife and Family , Hosea 1:1-11

2. Israel to Be Judged and Restored , Hosea 2:1-23

3. The Return of the Prophet’s Wife , Hosea 3:1-3

4. The Return of Israel , Hosea 3:4-5

II. The Divine Judgment and Mercy, Hosea 4-14

1. Israel Ripe for Punishment , Hosea 4:1-19

2. The Guilt of King and Priests , Hosea 5:1-15 ; Hosea 6:1-3

3. Israel’s Depravity and Stubbornness , Hosea 6:4-11 ; Hosea 7:1-16

4. Reaping the Whirlwind , Hosea 8:1-14 ; Hosea 9:1-9

5. The History of Israel’s Apostasies , Hosea 9:10-17 ; Hosea 10:1-15 ; Hosea 11:1-12

6. The Triumph of Mercy , Hosea 12-14

Introduction to Hosea

Hosea was probably a native and a subject of the Northern Kingdom, and exercised his ministry during the turbulent reigns of the last six or seven of its kings-a period of about sixty years. The moral and religious condition of Israel was very corrupt. God and His Word were ignored; the kings and princes were murderers and profligates; idolatrous priests maintained their shameful rites in all parts of the country; the great political parties applied for help now from Assyria and then from Egypt.

It has been supposed that the domestic incidents referred to in Hosea 1:1-11 ; Hosea 2:1-23 ; Hosea 3:1-5 are parabolic; but to hold this view is to miss the most moving lesson of the suffering which love, whether human or divine, is prepared to undergo, if only the lost can be found and the erring brought back to life and home.

e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end Hosea Ezra in the printed edition

( a ) What is the key verse of this book?

( b ) Into what two parts is the book divided?

( c ) When and where did Hosea probably live?

( d ) What was the condition of the Northern Kingdom at the time of Hosea’s prophecy?

Section 1-16. Hosea 1:1-11 ; Hosea 2:1-23 ; Hosea 3:1-5 ; Hosea 4:1-19 ; Hosea 5:1-15 ; Hosea 6:1-11 ; Hosea 7:1-16 ; Hosea 8:1-14 ; Hosea 9:1-17 ; Hosea 10:1-15 ; Hosea 11:1-12 ; Hosea 12:1-14 ; Hosea 13:1-16 ; Hosea 14:1-9

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments .

1. What is the promise made to outcast Israel?

2. How alone could Israel be made to realize the bitter sin of wandering from God?

3. What man was buried in the valley of Achor? Why had he been put to death?

4. Which of the Commandments are the priests, as well as the people, charged with breaking?

5. What was Israel’s greatest sin, the root from which all other transgressions spring?

6. How was Israel to be punished for her apostasy?

7. What purpose other than punishment was served by the afflictions of Israel?

8. How was Israel like a cake not turned?

9. How was Israel responsible for the judgments sent? What did the people choose to worship rather than Jehovah?

10. How does the prophet describe the “day of recompense” for Israel’s unfaithfulness?

11. What was the penalty pronounced on the race of Israel because they did not hearken unto God? What is the evidence of history as to its enforcement?

12. What should Israel have done to avert the threatened doom?

13. What is God’s will for the sinner?

14. How does the prophet refer to Jacob’s experience at Beth-el?

15. What must happen to those who oppose and reject God? Who will be to blame for our destruction?

16. What wonderful promise of forgiveness is made to those who seek God? With what song of praise does the prophecy close?