Hosea

Book Written: 

Time Period/Setting:  The northern Kingdom of Israel, called Ephraim in this book, during the reign of Jeroboam II, 786 BC-746 BC.  Hosea was active toward the end of Jeroboam's reign and, according to HC, continued to prophesy until the reign of King Hoshea right before the fall of the northern kingdom to Assyria in 722 BC.

Title:  The prophet's name, a shortened form of Hoshaiah meaning 'Yahweh has saved' in Hebrew.  Hosea is one of the four 8th century BC prophets along with Isaiah, Amos and Micah.

Hosea marries (is told by the Lord to marry) Gomer who turns out to be an adulteress or a "whoring bride."  He rejects her, but then takes her back.  Baker sees the marriage motif as key to understanding this book.  He explains it this way:  .." under the influence of the Holy Spirit, he [Hosea] sees that his experience with Gomer is a symbol or replica of the relationship between Israel (Gomer) and the Lord God (Hosea)."   Using marriage to explain Israel's/bride's relation to the Lord/bridegroom is introduced by Hosea and then employed by other prophets (Ezekiel) and also by St. Paul in the NT.

During Hosea's time, Israel has two main sinful flaws.  One is turning to foreign powers for help in fending off the ravages of Assyria and the other is worshipping foreign gods, Baal most notably.

Hosea and Amos are contemporaries, both prophets of doom.