Hosea gets the job of reflecting on Israel’s calamity, and he sees it as punishment for their crimes. God has passed sentence on them.
The Lord condemns Israel
Hosea 8:1-14
Hosea’s announcement
Hosea 9:1-9
The consequences of Israel’s sin
Hosea 9:10-14
The Lord’s judgement
Hosea 9:15-16
The prophet speaks
Hosea 9:17, 10:1-8
The Lord pronounces judgement
Hosea 10:9-15
God’s love
Hosea 11:1-11
Israel and Judah are condemned
Hosea 11:12, 12:1-6
Further words of judgement
Hosea 12:7-14, 13:1-8
In chapter after chapter Hosea repeats his accusations against Israel. They have been unfaithful, they have worshipped false gods, they have gone looking to foreign powers for security. And so they have been unfruitful, they will lose every blessing. Barrenness, famine, bereavement and disaster await. On goes the list. It’s painful to read, a nation that has been destroyed doesn’t need to have its nose rubbed in it.
And then we come to chapter 11.
What an extraordinary piece of writing this is. Like a mother looking back to when her child was little, there is sudden affection in the words. God’s love rises up and overcomes his anger, and there is hope that this destruction is not the end of the story.
Unfortunately, chapter 12 follows, and we’re back to where we were - more catalogues of sin, and raw anger in chapter 13. God’s love is spurned, and he sounds like a jilted lover. Woe to Israel for thinking they could get away with such adultery.
The Lord condemns Israel
Hosea 8:1-14
Hosea’s announcement
Hosea 9:1-9
The consequences of Israel’s sin
Hosea 9:10-14
The Lord’s judgement
Hosea 9:15-16
The prophet speaks
Hosea 9:17, 10:1-8
The Lord pronounces judgement
Hosea 10:9-15
God’s love
Hosea 11:1-11
Israel and Judah are condemned
Hosea 11:12, 12:1-6
Further words of judgement
Hosea 12:7-14, 13:1-8
In chapter after chapter Hosea repeats his accusations against Israel. They have been unfaithful, they have worshipped false gods, they have gone looking to foreign powers for security. And so they have been unfruitful, they will lose every blessing. Barrenness, famine, bereavement and disaster await. On goes the list. It’s painful to read, a nation that has been destroyed doesn’t need to have its nose rubbed in it.
And then we come to chapter 11.
What an extraordinary piece of writing this is. Like a mother looking back to when her child was little, there is sudden affection in the words. God’s love rises up and overcomes his anger, and there is hope that this destruction is not the end of the story.
Unfortunately, chapter 12 follows, and we’re back to where we were - more catalogues of sin, and raw anger in chapter 13. God’s love is spurned, and he sounds like a jilted lover. Woe to Israel for thinking they could get away with such adultery.
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