Why Hosea’s Words Matter Today
Who Was Hosea?
Hosea was one of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew Bible. He lived during a very troubled time in Israel’s history, around the eighth century BCE. The country was facing big problems: its leaders were unstable, people were turning away from their faith, and powerful neighbors like Assyria were threatening their independence. Eventually, Israel fell under Assyrian control. But instead of focusing on these outside threats, Hosea looked inward—he believed Israel’s real problem was spiritual, not political.
Hosea’s Main Message
Hosea’s message is built on three big ideas: the importance of keeping promises (covenant), the consequences of breaking those promises, and the hope for making things right again. He often used the image of marriage to make his point. Hosea compared Israel’s relationship with God to a marriage where one partner (Israel) has been unfaithful. Just as a loving spouse feels hurt when betrayed, God felt hurt by Israel’s actions. Hosea’s own life reflected this, as he was married to Gomer, a woman who was unfaithful, symbolizing Israel’s betrayal of God.
Why Was God Upset?
The main issue was idolatry, which means worshiping other gods instead of the one true God, Yahweh. The people of Israel started worshiping Baal and other idols, turning away from their faith. To Hosea, this wasn’t just about religion—it was about losing their identity and purpose. On top of that, the Israelites failed to treat their land as the special gift it was meant to be. Instead of living according to God’s ways, they exploited and neglected it.
A Chance to Make Things Right
Even though Hosea’s message was tough and critical, he didn’t leave people without hope. He urged them to repent, which means admitting their mistakes, turning away from bad choices, and making an effort to restore their relationship with God. Hosea believed that real change was possible if the people returned to their faith and treated their covenant with God seriously.
What Can We Learn Today?
Hosea’s message isn’t just for ancient Israel—it’s meaningful for us now. In today’s world, it’s easy to get distracted by things like money, power, or pleasure (our modern-day “idols”). Hosea asks us to think about what we worship and whether we’re living in line with higher values. He also encourages us to honor the gifts and responsibilities we have, including how we care for our world and each other.
Conclusion
Hosea’s story is a reminder that even when things go wrong, there’s always a chance for renewal. His belief in God’s love and willingness to forgive shows that restoration is possible, no matter how far we’ve wandered. Today, Hosea’s words invite us to reflect on our actions, renew our commitments, and embrace the hope that comes with turning back to what truly matters.
Minister A Francine Green
November 2025
afrancinegreen.com 