Bible reading & studying in one year on 12/17/2021 Hosea 1-14 by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible reading & studying in one year on 12/17/2021 Hosea 1-14

by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce 

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical Precepts & Gospel music

        Hosea, the name means salvation. The dates of these kings are as follows: Uzziah (also called Azariah), 791-740; Jotham, 750-732; Ahz, 746-716; Hezekiah, 716-687; Jeroboam II, 793-753.

         Chapter 1-3 detail the prophet’s domestic life, whereas the remainder of the book records excerpts of his messages delivered during his fifty-year career as a prophet. In the prophetic section three themes dominate: the sins of the people, the certainty of judgment, and the assurance of God’s loyal love.

Hosea’s marriage and Gomer’s adultery is used as an illustration of Israel’s unfaithfulness.

         Hosea’s marriage: the theme of the book is God’s steadfast love for Israel in spite of her continued unfaithfulness, vividly depicted by Hosea’s marital experience Hosea married Gomer only to discover that she was unfaithful. Though separation followed, Hosea’s love (like God’s for His people) persisted, and reconciliation eventually ensued. Three views have been proposed concerning Hosea’s marriage; (1) Merely an allegory, the book contains no factual history of an actual marriage. (2)Hosea married a woman who was already a harlot, perhaps a temple prostitute.(3)Gomer became a harlot after her marriage. Though Hosea’s tragic experience illustrates God’s love for His wayward people, there are no legitimate grounds for rejecting the historicity of the marriage. Whether (2) or (3) is correct is difficult to determine. Verse 2 an adulterous wife. If proleptic, the phrase indicates Gomer became a harlot after her marriage to Hosea. If not, he married a known prostitute. In either case the marriage was providentially ordained in order to illustrate vividly the infidelity of the people of Israel.

 Bible reading & studying in one year on 12/18/2021 Hosea 7-14

        Chapter 7 Hosea describes a particularly despicable time of revelry (perhaps a coronation or a royal birthday). The lusts of the leaders burned like an over. Four of Israel’s last six kings were murdered. Foreign alliances made Israel weak and decrepit (as evidenced by her gray hair) (vv.8-9). Samaria. The capital of Ephraim (Israel), the Northern Kingdom.

       Chapter 8:1 Assyria would come against Israel like as eagle or, literally, a vulture. Oppression (v.10) the tribute imposed on Israel by the mighty king, the Assyrian monarch. They will return to Egypt. God would reverse their deliverance from Egypt and send them back into captivity (this time in Assyria).

        Chapter 9 Israel had followed her heathen neighbors in practicing licentious fertility rites.(v.1) Some did actually go the Egypt (v.3). The people reacted to Hosea’s somber warnings by declaring him a fool, whereas in reality he was the nation’s watchman. (vv.7-8). The evil of Hosea’s day is compared to the days of Gibeah (cf.Judg.19-21), when the tribe of Benjamin was almost annihilated. (9). Though at the beginning of the nation God found His people to be like refreshing grapes in the desert(v.10), they turned to immorality at Baal (cf.Num.25) and defection at Gilgal (v.15), where they proclaimed Saul king (1Sam.11:15). This combination of Baal worship and the desire for human kings instead of God destined the people to become wanderers among the nations (v.17).

       Chapter 10 the richer the people became, the more idols they made.(v.1) The high places. Canaanite in origin, these were used as local sanctuaries and settings for fertility rites. God placed no heavy yoke over Ephraim’s (Israel’s) fair neck, but because she abused God’s kindness, He would cause her to draw a heavy load.(v.11)

     Chapter 11-14 the message of restoration; God’s love for the prodigal people; God’s chastisement of the prodigal people; God’s restoration of the prodigal people.

      Through judgment was imminent, God would one day roar like a lion summoning its young, and Israel, trembling with eagerness, would be restored and regathered to her land.  Chapter 12:1 Feeds on the wind. Lit., shepherds the wind; i.e. runs in vain to Egypt and Assyria for help. At the same time she makes a treaty with Assyria, she exports olive oil to Assyria’s rival, Egypt. Israel played both ends against the middle and would herself soon be trapped. Assyria will not save Israel nor will the warhorses of the Egyptian calvary. (14:3). In the verse 14:4-8 speak of the future blessing of Israel in the Millennium.

 

 Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.