Date Written: 755-725 BC Author: Hosea, son of Beeri Hosea's
ministry began during the reign of Jeroboam II, king of The Book
of Hosea is a loose collection of the prophet's oracles. It
consists of two main sections: Ch. 1-3 detail Hosea's
relationship with his unfaithful wife Gomer and Ch. 4-14 tell of
The Lord gives Hosea one of the most shocking commands in the
Bible: Marry a prostitute! (1:2) Hosea obeys and marries Gomer
and they have three children. Then she apparently returns to her
immoral lifestyle, but Hosea seeks her out, redeems her and
takes her back (3:2). Their relationship is meant to be a
metaphor for the Lord's relationship with his people. Gomer's
unfaithful character mirrors The people of Hosea powerfully
presents the image of the nation as the bride of the Lord. Other
biblical books, such as Song of Songs, Isaiah, Revelation and
the gospels, use this theme to explain the depth of God's love
for his people and the gravity of breaking our relationship with
him through sin. Sin separates us