On Reading Hosea
Hosea 1:1 and 14:9
The first line of the book of Hosea identifies the author as a prophet, the time of his ministry, and the social setting in which he lives. The last verse of Hosea invites hearers to discern the ways of the Yahweh and walk in them.
This video introduces the prophet and his social setting, and then listening to the last verse of Hosea we seek to prepare ourselves to read with wise discernment so that we might walk in the ways of the Lord.
Access to the initial handout for the class is available her.
Hosea Outline and Class Schedule.
Hosea 1:1
The first verse, though brief, does a lot of work. First, the opening words are fairly formulaic for the work of a prophet: “The word of Yahweh that came. . .” This phrase is also found at the opening of Joel, Micah, and Zephaniah. Hosea is part of Israel’s prophetic tradition, and the source of the message is not his imagination but a word that comes from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel.
Second, Hosea is simply identified as the son of Beeri. Apparently, Beeri is a Hittite name. Esau married two Hittite women, one of whom was the daughter of Beeri the Hittite (Genesis 26:34). Since we only know Hosea from this book, it is uncertain why he has a Hittite name. Perhaps his mother or even father was a Hittite, or an ancestor was a Hittite. We may remember that the presence of Hittites was not uncommon in Israel (e.g., Uriah the Hittite, 2 Samuel 11:3).
Third, his prophetic ministry began during the reigns (probably toward their ends) of Jeroboam II (793-753 BCE) the King of Israel in the north and Uzziah (792-740 BCE) the king of Judah in the south. While the superscription names the Kings of Judah that followed Uzziah—Jotham (740-732 BCE), Ahaz (732-716 BCE), and Hezekiah (716-687 BCE)—it does not name the six kings of Israel that followed Jeroboam II. None of them ruled very long and four were assassinated. Those were turbulent years (752-722 BCE) in the northern kingdom as they attempted to resist the Assyrian Empire and ultimately failed. The northern kingdom was subjugated and exiled in 722 BCE. Perhaps the last six kings are not listed because of the chaos that prevailed during their times in contrast to the stability of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Perhaps Hosea relocated at some point either before or after the exile, and the identification of the Kings of Judah was more suitable. We don’t know.
However, what is important is that Hosea’s prophetic message addresses the northern kingdom (though sometimes Judah as well). He is sent by God to Israel to confront the northern kingdom with their sins, warn them about a coming judgment, and invite them to return to Yahweh. While mostly a message of judgment, the prophet also reminded Israel of God’s compassion for them and their hope in God’s promises to the nation. The prophet Amos addressed the same nation with the similar concerns, but most likely earlier than Hosea. Amos may have prophesied in the middle years of Jeroboam, but we may presume that Hosea’s ministry began at the end of Jeroboam’s reign. The superscription identifies a 106 year period but Hosea did not minister during this whole time. Perhaps, his work was from the end of Jeroboam’s reign (around 753) to the beginning of Hezekiah’s reign (around 716), which is still about 37 years, a long ministry.
Fourth, the reigns of Jeroboam and Uzziah were prosperous. The reign of Jeroboam II was prosperous, secure, and expansive. It reached the limits of Solomon’s power and territory in the north. Together with Uzziah in Judah they rivaled Solomon’s wealth, power, and territory. Israel, along with Judah, was an economic power between two Empires (Assyria and Egypt). Apparently, Israel’s prosperity did not bring faithfulness. They worshipped other gods (particularly Baal), sought political alliances rather than trusting God, and the gap between the wealthy and the poor widened. These are the primary evils that bring God’s judgment.
Hosea 14:9
The first and last verses indicate that an editor or collector has, on the one hand, introduced the collection by identifying the prophet and, on the other hand, inviting readers to discern the truth of the prophetic message delivered. An editor has collected the oracles of Hosea together to preserve them for generations to come. Readers are called to practice wisdom. This entails that the book was intended to be heard and reheard, read and reread. Reading it once is only the beginning of the discernment process.
The book concludes with a wisdom saying that invites readers to process what they have learned (much like Psalm 107:43) and calls attention to the main function of the book, which is: “the ways of Yahweh are right.” This is the final appeal to follow Yahweh, the God of Israel, rather than following Baal, pursuing political alliances, or even pursuing wealth. Rather, Israel is called to pursue Yahweh just as Yahweh pursues them and is full of compassion for them.
But the decision belongs to Israel. Will they walk or stumble? Will the walk in the ways of Yahweh or will they stumble in the path because of their transgressions. Will Israel change? Will Judah resist the message and fall into the same ditch as Israel?
The verbs “understand” and “discern” in the NRSV are the same Hebrew term. We might translate it something like, “Those who are wise understand these things, those who understand know them.” The wise understand; they know the reality of God’s world. What do they know/understand? The wise recognize the “ways of Yahweh are right.” The righteous (or upright) walk in them. The paths God into which God invites us to walk are “straight;” they are not twisted and crooked. They are not an occasion for stumbling, but transgressions are.
The paths of Yahweh are righteous and just. The offer a path to ordered living in God’s good creation. They are like putting a round peg in a round hole. But sin disrupts this order. It is like putting a square peg in a round hole. When one does that, something breaks. Transgressors stumble. The path then erupts into chaos and destruction.
This is the path Israel had chosen. They chose Baal over Yahweh. They chose Egypt over the God of Israel. They chose the wealthy over the poor. They brought chaos upon themselves. Transgressors create chaos and suffer the consequence.
But Israel still has a choice. Judah still has a choice. The wise will see through the chaos, discern the will of God, and choose to walk in the paths of Yahweh.
Which will we choose? Who is wise? Who will walk in the just paths of Yahweh?