Daily Devotions
Hosea
Introduction
Text: Hosea
INTRODUCTION
Hosea was a prophet who served the Lord about the same time as Isaiah and Micah. They served during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (Hosea 1:1). King Jeroboam II of Israel was also mentioned. Jeroboam II was the king who reigned for 41 years and a contemporary of King Uzziah (Hosea 1:1; 2 Kings 14:23-29). His reign over Israel was an evil one. He followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat in idolatrous worship. Thus, Hosea must have served as a prophet for more than forty years.
The ministry of Hosea the prophet was perhaps more difficult, because he married a wife who was unfaithful to him. But his marriage gave him the opportunity to illustrate to Israel and Judah how God felt in His relationship to His people! The children of Israel had also been unfaithful to the LORD God right from the beginning. Nevertheless, God continued to address His people graciously and lovingly.
The message that Hosea preached was not just for the ears of Judah. The reason why Jeroboam II was mentioned suggests that he ministered a word of hope to errant Israel as well. God continued to show mercy to Jeroboam II despite his evil reign. He delivered Israel out of many difficulties by the hand of Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:27). He restored some of the territories to Israel according to the prophecies of Jonah the prophet (2 Kings 14:25).
The ministry of Hosea was not in vain. The word that he preached to God’s people living in the Northern and Southern Kingdoms is still relevant to us today. Hosea presented a powerful and living message of a great and compassionate God who remained deeply committed to caring for His foolish and sinful people!
The constant plea to Israel to return to God is a word that we need to heed today. The closing words of Hosea are deeply moving.
“I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.
I will be like the dew to Israel;
He shall grow like the lily,
And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
His branches shall spread;
His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And his fragrance like Lebanon.
Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
They shall be revived like grain,
And grow like a vine.
Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.”
Hosea 14:4-7
Let us read Hosea prayerfully and humbly. Let us seek to deepen our faith-relationship with the Lord. May our hearts be deeply moved and challenged to cultivate a deeply beautiful walk with a great and wonderful God.