The book of Hosea is the first of the twelve Minor Prophets. Hosea began service as a prophet about 750 B.C. and concluded his work about 722 B.C., shortly before the Assyrian conquest of Israel (the ten tribes that constituted the Northern Kingdom). He thus began his work shortly after Amos concluded his shorter prophetic ministry (about 760-755 B.C.).
Unlike Amos, who was a native of Judah (the Southern Kingdom), Hosea was a native of Israel (the Northern Kingdom). Both addressed their prophecies to Israel (the Northern Kingdom). Like Amos, Hosea proclaims a message of judgment on Israel for her unfaithfulness to Yahweh. However, Hosea also proclaims God’s continuing love and pleads for Israel’s repentance. He holds out the hope of forgiveness and restoration (1:10-11; and chapters 3, 11, and 14).
In Hosea 1: “the word of Yahweh… came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel” (1:1). The Jeroboam in question here is Jeroboam II, who reigned in Israel (the Northern Kingdom) from about 785-745 B.C.
Hosea began his prophetic work during the last years of Jeroboam’s reign. That reign appears to have been prosperous—both Amos and Hosea condemn the extravagance of Israel’s wealthier citizenry. However, Jeroboam “did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh” (2 Kings 14:24). He was succeeded by his son, Zechariah, who reigned for only six months before being assassinated. Zechariah’s successor, Shallum, reigned only a month before he was assassinated. In the three decades of his prophetic ministry, Hosea saw a total of seven kings—all bad—come and go.
The beginning of his ministry was a quiet time where Israel and Judah experienced military success and there were not many enemies to challenge them. However, at the end of the ministry the Jews were subdued by Assyrian empire.
When we read the book of Hosea , we need to know that the book is collection of writings from different periods
Hosea 8-11, There is nothing particularly new mentioned in these chapters that were not already said before. However, unlike ch. 4-7 that appear as a collection of prophecies (without much explanation), these chapter provide a great deal more clarity about what was happening in Israel.
When we read these chapters we know what was the issue.
1. Broken law (8:1,12,9:17)
Hosea 8:1
“Put the trumpet to your lips!
An eagle is over the house of the Lord
because the people have broken my covenant
and rebelled against my law.
Hosea 8:12
12 I wrote for them the many things of my law,
but they regarded them as something foreign.
Hosea 9:17
My God will reject them
because they have not obeyed him;
they will be wanderers among the nations.
Here God says that they have not obeyed my law , my commandment. It’s not that they did not know the law but it was like they did not follow his commandments/ law, they rebelled against it. When we read the books of Kings , there was a constant warning for the people , kings , priests but they did not obey it and rebelled against it. In Hosea 8:12 says , I wrote for them many things of my law but they regarded as something foreign. The law they took as they either don’t know or like it was not for them. They broke the law, they did follow God’s commandment.
2. No knowledge of God (8:2-3)
Hosea 8:2-3
2 Israel cries out to me,
‘Our God, we acknowledge you!’
3 But Israel has rejected what is good;
an enemy will pursue him.
They cried out to God that they acknowledge him but in fact they rejected him. Their knowledge about him was not complete .They were saying that they know him but actually they did not know him.
3. Leadership issues (8:4a, 9:15)
Hosea 8:4
4 They set up kings without my consent;
they choose princes without my approval.
Hosea 9:15
15 “Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal,
I hated them there.
Because of their sinful deeds,
I will drive them out of my house.
I will no longer love them;
all their leaders are rebellious.
Before appointing kings , they failed to ask God if it is his will or not. Their appointed kings were so rebellious that they rebelled against God, his prophets.
4. Idolatry (8:4-6,11,9:1,10,10:1-2,5-6,11:2)
Hosea 8:4-6
4 They set up kings without my consent;
they choose princes without my approval.
With their silver and gold
they make idols for themselves
to their own destruction.
5 Samaria, throw out your calf-idol!
My anger burns against them.
How long will they be incapable of purity?
6 They are from Israel!
This calf—a metalworker has made it;
it is not God.
It will be broken in pieces,
that calf of Samaria.
Hosea 8:11
11 “Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings,
these have become altars for sinning.
Hosea 9:10
But when they came to Baal Peor,
they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol
and became as vile as the thing they loved.
We have more references when we read 10:1-2,5-6,11:2
They made Idols for themselves and angered God. Idols for their personal gain.Let’s go back and see actually what happened.
1 Kings 12:26-33 (NIV)
26 Jeroboam thought to himself, “The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.”
28 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” 29 One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. 30 And this thing became a sin; the people went even as far as Dan to worship the one there.
31 Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites. 32 He instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival held in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. This he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves he had made. And at Bethel he also installed priests at the high places he had made. 33 On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, he offered sacrifices on the altar he had built at Bethel. So he instituted the festival for the Israelites and went up to the altar to make offerings.
5. Sell out to other nations (8:8-10)
Hosea 8:8-10
8 Israel is swallowed up;
now she is among the nations
like something no one wants.
9 For they have gone up to Assyria
like a wild donkey wandering alone.
Ephraim has sold herself to lovers.
10 Although they have sold themselves among the nations,
I will now gather them together.
They will begin to waste away
under the oppression of the mighty king.
Israel was supposed to be a unique nation, with unique Godly values but they gave themselves up to the values of other nations.
6. Relying on man’s strength (8:14,10:13)
Hosea 8:14
14 Israel has forgotten their Maker
and built palaces;
Judah has fortified many towns.
But I will send fire on their cities
that will consume their fortresses.”
Hosea 10:13
13 But you have planted wickedness,
you have reaped evil,
you have eaten the fruit of deception.
Because you have depended on your own strength
and on your many warriors,
Depended on their strength , they were prosperous. There was wealth , fame , strength , reputation
7. Broken relationships between people (9:9,10:4)
Hosea 10:4
4 They make many promises,
take false oaths
and make agreements;
therefore lawsuits spring up
like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.
Hosea 9:9
9 They have sunk deep into corruption,
as in the days of Gibeah.
God will remember their wickedness
and punish them for their sins.
They started compromising their values and their heart became corrupt. Lies, malice, corruption. Their conscience died.
When we look at all these , these harsh words from God, or the hurt which was caused was deep.
Let us take all of these in our context today. How does it apply to us.
1. Broken law
Israel rebelled against God’s law /commandments. What is our position this morning. Do we follow what God’s command?
John 14:15-16
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever
2. No knowledge of God
Israel have known the law, read the law but they failed to know God. Do we know God personally. ? I remember trekking to Karnala fort. From down if we see the Peak of the fort it looks tiny , small, when we go close , you know it is massive.
John 10:15
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
3. Leadership issues
Israel looked at the outward appearance and use their own discernment to choose kings. Are we consulting God before taking decisions?
Luke 6:12
12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
4. Idolatry
Have we made any idols which we are worshiping ? An Idol can be of any form which replaces God? Sometimes our Family can become an Idol, sometimes Church can become an Idol, sometimes our carreer can become an Idol.
Colossians 3:5-6
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming
5. Sell out to other nations
Israel was surrounded by Pagan nations. The pagans believed that worshiping several gods was superior to worshiping one God. That is to say, they felt that more was better. They constantly imitated the evil religious practices and lifestyles of the surrounding nations instead of obeying God’s command to keep themselves holy (morally and spiritually pure and devoted to God) and separated from such practices.
Are we compromising on our moral and spiritual values?
6. Relying on man’s strength
Israel relied on their own strength, their palaces , their cities and kings. This morning are we relying on our own strength.
Psalm 59:17 says, “You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.” (NIV)
8. Broken relationships between people
False oaths, corruption, lawsuits. There was no unity among them. They all were fighting against each other. How is our relationship based with people today and how are we resolving it?
Ephesians 2:3
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
When we look at all these , we may feel it’s so difficult to do this, but Jesus set a perfect example for us. Jesus lived a perfect life.
1. Broken law – Fulfilled the Law
Matthew 5:17
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.
2. No knowledge of God – Abiding
John 14:6-7
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
3. Leadership issues – Knowing the Will
Luke 6:12
12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
4. Idolatry – No Compromise
Matthew 4:10
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.
5. Sell out to other nations – Standing firm on Values
Matthew 4:1-4
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
6. Relying on man’s strength – His Power
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
7. Broken relationships between people – Key to Relationship
Matthew 22:37-40
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
[c]
38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the New Hope Community. The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.
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