2 Setting In the days of Hosea, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was politically plagued by anarchy, unrest, and confusion The quick succession of kings (Chart 102) suggests such an instability One political faction favored alliance with Egypt; another, with Assyria One writer comments on 7:11 thus, “Israel was like a silly dove… fluttering everywhere but to God.”17 Economically, the nation was prosperous Spiritually, it was the darkest hour of Israel Idolatry, immorality, and haughty rejection of God’s love spelled disaster Israel was a backslidden people when Hosea preached to them (14:4) Read Kings 15-17 to feel how black the darkness was Theme The theme of Hosea is this: the tender-loving God o ers one last chance of restoration to hardhearted, adulterous Israel Israel is the unfaithful wife who has deserted her husband and gone after other lovers God through the prophet Hosea invites her back: “Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God” (14:1) Read these passages about God’s love: 2:14,15,19,20; chapter 3; 11:3,4,8; chapter 14; compare Romans 11:22 John has been called the apostle of love in the New Testament; Hosea could be called the prophet of love in the Old Testament Language and style Hosea’s style is abrupt, short, and sharp (“he ashes forth brilliant sentences”) But tenderness is the book’s prevailing tone Scroggie says, “His message is one of the most profound and spiritual in the Old Testament.”18 The authoritarian tone is heard throughout the book, even though the familiar declaration “thus saith the LORD” appears only four times Symbols and metaphors abound throughout the book, the prominent one being that of marriage (chap 1-3) The messages of chapters to 14 were apparently not compiled with an outline in mind Transitions are hard to detect because they are submerged in the emotional makeup of the book As one writer observes, “The sentences fall from him like the sobs of a broken heart.”19 II SURVEY Scan chapters 1-3 Who are some of the main characters of this narrative? At this point, don’t ponder over questions that come to your mind concerning the Lord’s instructions to Hosea Study the survey Chart 103 Observe that there are two main divisions in the book How chapters 4-14 di er from 1-3 as to content? Scan chapters 4-14 to verify this Spend the next hour or so making a casual reading of chapters 4-14 When a verse describes sin or guilt of God’s people, mark S in the margin of your Bible Keep scanning until the subject changes to judgment (J), invitation (I), restoration (R), or grace (G) When there is a change of ... is the book’s prevailing tone Scroggie says, “His message is one of the most profound and spiritual in the Old Testament. ”18 The authoritarian tone is heard throughout the book, even though the. .. because they are submerged in the emotional makeup of the book As one writer observes, ? ?The sentences fall from him like the sobs of a broken heart.”19 II SURVEY Scan chapters 1-3 Who are some of the. .. chapter 14; compare Romans 11:22 John has been called the apostle of love in the New Testament; Hosea could be called the prophet of love in the Old Testament Language and style Hosea’s style is abrupt,