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Hosea

Dennis Bratcher

I. Hosea, The Man

A. From and active in the Northern Kingdom

B. Period of Assyrian threat and instability in the Northern Kingdom

C. Used his personal life as an illustration for the nation

D. Primary concern is the syncretism of Baal worship and the resulting idolatry

E. Family metaphors (husband-wife, father-son)

F. The prophet of God's love

A. A unified book in two parts:

B. Chapters 1-3: The illustration of Hosea's family life

1. The unfaithfulness of Israel

2. Baal worship, the prostitution of love due God

3. God's love in the face of rejection

C. Chapters 4-14: Sermons of judgment and grace

1. The severity of the people's sin

2. Condemnation of injustice

3. Fickleness of God's people contrasted to God's steadfast love

4. God portrayed as a forgiving Father

5. The continued rebellion of the people

6. Promise of restoration following repentance

A. 2 She did not know that it was I who gave her the grain...which they used for Baal.

B. 3 Go, love a woman...who is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the people of Israel.

C. 11 When Israel was a child I loved him...How can I give you up, O Ephraim?...I am God and not man.

D. 14 Return O Israel to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.

Biblical Books

Hosea