Looking at the Prophets: Hosea

Inspired by my son-in-law's journal, I have decided to look into the lesser known and read books of the Bible written by prophets. Following the book of Daniel, which contain a number of prophcies which relate directly to our times, is the book of Hosea.

We know practically nothing about the life or social status of Hosea. According to the Book of Hosea, he married the prostitute Gomer, the daughter of Diblatayim, at God's command. He lived in the Northern Kingdom in the period 740–725 BCE. Hosea's family life reflected the "adulterous" relationship which Israel had built with polytheistic gods. His children's names made them like walking prophecies of the fall of the ruling dynasty and the severed covenant with God. Hosea is often seen as a "prophet of doom", but underneath his message of destruction is a promise of restoration. The Talmud claims that he was the greatest prophet of his generation.

Restoration is vital to Christians today as each of us strive daily to be more like Christ in our actions and our thoughts. It is far from easy to imitate Christ, even though we are commanded to do so. Paul tells us, "Become imitators of me even as I am of Christ" (1st Corinthians 11:1) Speaking figuratively of the restoration by Jehovah of his people who had strayed from Him, Hosea speaks to us as restored believers, who "...will certainly be collected together into a unity and will actually set up for themselves one head.." (Hosea 1:11) He goes on to promise to those restored to Jehovah, "...I will engage you to me for time indefinite, and I will engage you to me in righteousness and in justice and in loving-kindness and in mercies. And I will engage you to me in faithfulness; and you will certainly know Jehovah." (Hosea 2:19, 20) Consider all of the qualities God promises us we will have one we are restored to Him in a proper relationship: righteousness, justice, loving-kindness, mercy, and faithfulness.

Obviously, if we are to cultivate these qualities, we must also consistently demonstrate these qualities toward others in our daily life. Now, that is not too difficult when dealing with those with whom we already have a close and harmonious relationship. But, if we are to be truly restored to Jehovah, we must also demonstrate these same qualities with those who fall short of our expectations or even are in direct opposition to us. There is the rub, as Shakespeare might say.

But, Hosea does not leave us desolate and discouraged if we have not proven true to the qualities Jahovah has called us to emulate. He ackowledges that his people will stumble and even fall short. Hosea tell us that Jehovah calls to us. "Do come back, O Israel, to Jehovah your God, for you have stumbled in your error. Take with yourselves words and come back to Jehovah. Say to him...may you pardon error; and accept what is good." (Hosea 14: 1, 2) The promise continues with these words: "I shall heal their unfaithfulness. I shall love them of my own free will..." (Hosea 14: 4)

In his closing words, Hosea asks, "Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Discreet, that he may know them? For the ways of Jehovah are upright, and the righteous are the ones who will walk in them; but the transgressors are the ones who will stumble in them." To walk in them connotes action on a daily basis, making these qualities an everyday part of our lives. To stumble in them indicates a need to improve our way of thinking, speaking, and acting alligned with the examples of Jehovah and His son, Jesus Christ. This is a work in progress that will take a lifetime of effort and patience, but it is achievable because we know God promises not to ask of us more than it is possible to do.