Hosea 13

BACKGROUND

The reign of Jeroboam II in Israel's northern kingdom (793-753 B.C.) was the "golden age" of the north, with great military successes and a thriving economy. Spiritually, however, the nation did not do so well. Hosea began his prophetic ministry near the end of Jeroboam's reign, and during most of his 40 years of ministry things only became worse, climaxing in Israel's fall in 722 (see 2 Kings 17). Four of Israel's final six kings assassinated their predecessors ("one murder after another," Hosea 4:2). As the last prophet before Israel's fall, Hosea pleaded with his people to turn to God and be saved. He warned of Israel's coming judgment but also of its final restoration. He has been called "the prophet of immediate doom and eventual hope." In obedience to an unusual instruction from God, Hosea married a prostitute and, as could be expected, endured her unfaithfulness in marriage (Hosea 1-3). The lessons he learned from his marriage helped him address the issue of Israel's unfaithfulness to God (Hosea 4-14). Hosea's ministry overlapped that of Amos and the first half of the ministries of Isaiah and Micah.

RECIPIENTS

Though he mentions Judah as well, Hosea addressed his prophecies primarily to the northern kingdom, which he often referred to as "Ephraim," the dominant tribe.

PURPOSE

To warn of God's impending judgment on Israel while showing the balance between his justice and his love:
• God's love does not mean he can forget sin. Sin must be punished.
• On the other hand, God's justice does not mean that he desires to completely end his relationship with his "wife" (Israel). God constantly tries to draw Israel back to himself. Even in the wake of judgment he will preserve a remnant.

Hosea 13:1-3 Once like champions, now like chaff. When Israel ("Ephraim") had been obedient to God, the whole world respected them (Hosea 13:1). But as they descended into idolatry, they had lost that influence and were now no more powerful than dew or chaff. Though Israel may still have appeared to be prosperous, its days were numbered and it would pass away.
Hosea 13:4-14 From rejection, to rejection, to restoration. God had saved Israel from Egypt only to find that, once they were secure, they rejected him (Hosea 13:4-6). Therefore God must reject them (see Hosea 14:4-7), but eventually he will restore them (see Hosea 14:4-7). Ultimately, Israel's defection will result not in the death of the nation but in the death of death itself (Hosea 13:14; compare 1 Cor. 15:55)!
Hosea 13:15-16 Judgment like the desert wind. Again using the figure of the hot east wind, Hosea warned of Israel's imminent judgment. It would be a time of unspeakable suffering.

Spiritual Lessons from Hosea
• Though God's calling Hosea to marry a prostitute was very unusual and was for a specific prophetic purpose, he may sometimes call us to do things that seem illogical or unproductive by human standards. When so called, we should readily obey. Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac is another example of such obedience (see Genesis 22:1-2).
• In a day of easy divorce, Hosea's efforts to win back his unfaithful wife provide a muchneeded
good example. The law provided for divorce (see Deut. 24:1) but only "as a
concession to [Israel's] hard-hearted wickedness" (Matthew 19:8). Divorce is never the
best option, even in cases of sexual infidelity.
• Though God disciplines us, he is also eager to forgive. God ordered Hosea to give his
children names with meanings suggesting judgment (Hosea 1:4, 6, 9) but later gave a
redeeming interpretation to those names (Hosea 1:10-2:1, 23). (See also Psalm 103:9;
Romans 9:25.)