Hosea (750)

Hosea (750)

Hosea is the Hebrew word which means “God has saved” or “God is Salvation”. He was a son of Beeri. He is the first of the so called Minor Prophets (Hos. 1:1). He has three children. He was called the first prophet of grace and Israel’s earliest evangelist. He lived at a time of great crisis for the northern kingdom of Israel. He began his career in the middle of the eighty century (c. 750 BC.).  He is the only writing prophet who came from the northern kingdom of Israel. He began exercising his prophetic ministry there in the last years of king Jeroboam II (786-746 BC). He was either a priest or cultic prophet.

Contents-“ The Prophecy Falls into Two Unequal divisions: Chap- 1-3 Treat of the marriage of Hosea. Chap-4-14 are a collection of Oracles that evince little logical organization or Chorological continuity.”[1]

Message:“The main theme of Hosea's prophecy is the idolatry of Israel and infidelity to Yahweh. The punishment for the sin of faithlessness to their God, according to the prophet, was exile from their land (Hosea 9:3). His marriage is a part of his message. This might be called a parable. He was told to “take a wife of harlotry” which may mean he married a prostitute. He had three children whose names were given by God. The names of these children are: 1. Jezreel (which means “I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.” 1:4); 2. Lo-ruhamah which means “not pitied”; and 3.Lo-ammi which means “not my people.[2]”“The picture of adultery is used as a metaphor for idolatry (and not only in Hosea). It emphasizes their unfaithfulness to the God who has been faithful to them. Hosea gives a call to Israel to return to God. He also preached that God desires steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6). God will call his son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1). The prophet depicted a God who lamented the ingratitude of his people: like a loving parent, Yahweh cared for Israel who was like a child (cf. 11:1-4); like a husband, Yahweh lamented over Israel who acted like a faithless wife (cf. 2:2-3). Hosea gave them the message that disaster and destruction would come as a result of their sin (cf. 11:5-7). He said to them that there was the possibility of divine compassion (cf. 11:8-9), if the Israelites repented (cf. 14:1-3). He pictured the relationship between Israel and Yahweh as one in righteousness, justice, steadfast love, mercy and knowledge of God (cf. 2:19-20). He is the only prophet in the OT who explains the relationship between God and Israel in terms of marriage.”[3].

Conclusion: A prophet is the mouthpiece for the one (God) who sends him or her. The prophets or Prophetess speaks on behalf of the sender (Exodus 7:1-2). We don’t know much about Hosea prophet. Still what I came to know I tried to show in above. We know prophet is a critic of the society an announcer of future and a charismatically authorized messenger. So, we find in OT in different time and situation prophets keep their role, Message and prophesy in the society, kingdom and to the people to lead them towards God an in the same way the Prophetess too are simply a female prophet. Just like a prophet, a prophetess is a person called by God.

Bibliography:

·         New Catholic Encyclopedia, Second Edition Vol,  VII, p. 115-116,

·         Harpers Bible Dictionary, by Paul J. Achtemeir, Ed, s.v. “Hosea”, Theological Publications in India, Bangalore, 2002, Pp- 317-318.

·         New Catholic Encyclopedia, Second Edition Vol, VII, p. 115-116,

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1 New Catholic Encyclopedia,Second Edition Vol,  VII, p. 115-116,

2 Harpers Bible Dictionary, by Paul J. Achtemeir, Ed, s.v. “Hosea”, Theological Publications in India, Bangalore, 2002, Pp- 317-318.

3 Harpers Bible Dictionary, by Paul J. Achtemeir, Ed, s.v. “Hosea”, Theological Publications in India, Bangalore, 2002, Pp- 317-318

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