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THE PROPHECY
OF HOSEA
by JOHN RIDDLE
Introduction
HOSEA'S
NAME MEANS 'SALVATION' and is probably a shorter name for Joshua
or Jehoshuah. He was contemporary with Amos, Micah and Isaiah.
Hosea and Amos both addressed the Northern Kingdom, but were
quite different in approach. In Amos, sin is an outrage of
divine law, and God commands return. In Hosea, sin is an outrage
of divine love, and God pleads for return. This variation
illustrates the fact that servants of God can have differing
emphases in their ministry, but labour in the same sphere
without collision or confusion.
The
outstanding feature of this prophecy is the emphasis placed on
God's love for His people. It has been aptly said that, 'the
heart of God lies on the surface of Hosea's ministry'. Although
Israel had failed to reciprocate God's love, and incurred divine
displeasure by their infidelity to Him, He still exclaimed, 'How
shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee Israel?
How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim?
Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings ('compassions' RV)
are kindled together', 11. 8. Ultimately, God will say, 'I will
love them freely', 14. 4.
Hosea
was no mere orator. He preached out of deep conviction, and was
able to do so out of his own experiences in the school of God.
This is made very clear by the two main divisions of the book:
A
Chapters 1-3, Hosea's love for his unfaithful wife.
B
Chapters 4-14, God's love for His unfaithful people.
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