Book of Hosea

The central theme of the book is the Israelite nation breaking their covenant with God and God’s future restoration. Hosea laid out three ways that the nation had sinned against God and broken the covenant they made with Him in Egypt (9:10). He called out Israel on their failure to acknowledge God (4:1-6:3), breaking of the covenant (6:4-11:11), and their faithlessness to God (11:4-14:9). Within each of these charges, Hosea puts their idolatry, cult prostitution, sinful priests, deceit, injustice, and murder on display.

Through Hosea, the Lord called Israel to repent of their wickedness and turn back to God in humility and faithfulness towards His law and covenant. As Israel continued to refuse repentance, Hosea prophesied over the beginning of their distress and future destruction of the nation as an act of discipline. God used Hosea to remind His chosen people of the Lord’s grace and mercy from the past.

Hosea continually proclaimed that God was their only hope for restoration. In the Reformation Study Bible, RC Sproul says it like this:

“Hosea’s prophecy not only defines Israel’s sins, but it also warns of impending judgment because of them (5:9–14). The nature of the judgment is twofold: the land of Israel would be laid desolate, and its inhabitants would be thrown into exile (5:13; 8:8, 9). Although judgment would certainly come upon Israel, Hosea includes a note of joy and hope for the people of God in the future after judgment. Israel’s coming punishment would not be the end, but God would one day bring about a splendid time of restoration (1:10, 11; 2:14–23).”