Book Introduction - Hosea
Read first chapter of Hosea
Hosea was a contemporary of Amos in Israel, and of Isaiah and Micah in Judah, and his ministry continued after the first, or Assyrian, captivity of the northern kingdom 2 Kings 15:29. His style is abrupt, metaphorical, and figurative. Israel is Jehovah's adulterous wife, repudiated, but ultimately to be purified and restored. This is Hosea's distinctive message, which may be summed up in his two words, Lo-ammi, "not my people," and Ammi, "my people." Israel is not merely apostate and sinful--that is said also; but her sin takes its character from the exalted relationship into which she has been brought. The book is in three parts: The dishonoured wife, 1:1-3:5. The sinful people, 4:1-13:8. The ultimate blessing and glory of Israel, 13:9-14:9. The events recorded in Hosea cover a period of 60 years (Ussher)
CHAPTER 1
Verse 1
days
i.e. of the 1260,1290, and 1335 days.
Verse 9
my people
"My people" is an expression used in the O.T. exclusively of Israel the nation. It is never used of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Matthew 2:6.
Verse 10
Israel
"Israel" in Hosea means the ten tribes forming the northern kingdom as distinguished from "Judah" (the tribes of Judah and Benjamin) forming the southern kingdom which adhered to the Davidic family. (See) 1 Kings 12:1-21. The promise of verse 10 awaits fulfilment. See "Israel" ; Genesis 12:2,3; Romans 11:26.
CHAPTER 2
Verse 2
She is not my wife
That Israel is the wife of Jehovah Hosea 2:16-23, now disowned but yet to be restored, is the clear teaching of the passages. This relationship is not to be confounded with that of the Church of Christ. (See Scofield "John 3:29"). In the mystery of the Divine tri-unity both are true. The N.T. speaks of the Church as a virgin espoused to one husband 2 Corinthians 11:1,2 which could never be said of an adulterous wife, restored in grace. Israel is, then, to be the restored and forgiven wife of Jehovah, the Church the virgin wife of the Lamb ; John 3:29; Revelation 19:6-8. Israel Jehovah's earthly wife Hosea 2:23, the Church the Lamb's heavenly bride, Revelation 19:7.
CHAPTER 7
Verse 13
redeemed
(See Scofield "Isaiah 59:20"). See Scofield "Exodus 14:30".
CHAPTER 10
Verse 13
trust
(See Scofield "Psalms 2:12").
CHAPTER 11
Verse 8
repentings
(See Scofield "Zechariah 8:14").
CHAPTER 12
Verse 4
angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").
CHAPTER 13
Verse 9
1 Part III. The ultimate blessing of Israel in the kingdom chapter divider. The response of Jehovah continues to the end, but at verse 9 changes to entreaty and promise.
Verse 14
redeem Heb. goel, Redemp. (Kinsman type). (See Scofield "Isaiah 59:20"). death 1 Corinthians 15:55. O grave Heb. "Sheol," also in preceding clause. (See Scofield "Habakkuk 2:5").