What does God feel about Israel and Judah’s unfaithfulness? A prophet is going to give us a surprising answer.
Jeroboam
2 Kings 14:23-27
Amaziah’s death
2 Kings 14:18-20, 2 Chronicles 25:26-28
Uzziah becomes sole ruler
2 Kings 15:1, 2 Chronicles 26:6-15
Israel’s future restoration
Amos 9:11-15
Israel rebuked
Hosea 1:1-2:5
God’s judgements
Hosea 2:6-13
His promises to Hosea 2:14-23,
Israel restored
Hosea 3:1-5
The people of Judah won’t be lead too far astray. When Amaziah turns away from God completely, they hound him into exile and death, and put 16 year old Uzziah on the throne. Young kings can be controlled, and Uzziah’s early reign is positive.
At this time, the influence of the prophets was strong. The great heroes, Elijah and Elisha have gone, but plenty of others have raised their voices. Amos brings a word of hope - the damage and decay in the kingdom will one day be restored. And then for one of my favourite prophets, Hosea. He is the first of those who didn’t just speak, but lived his message. He appealed to people’s emotions by his lifestyle, maintaining a dignity when his wife committed adultery. A soap opera prophet, with a message intended to make the people guilty for their spiritual adultery. He even called his children Not-Pitied and Not-Loved.
But there is a promise with Hosea that it will not always be like this. One day, God will show his pity and his love to his people again. One day he will show them that he really is God.
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