Hosea was one of the minor prophets. This does not make the book of Hosea lessor because it is shorter. Interestingly, Hosea’s name means “salvation,” and it is appropriate for the book of Hosea. Hosea was possibly one of two prophets writing from the northern tribe of Israel (Jonah was the other). Hosea was a contemporary to Amos, Micah, and Isaiah, and prophesied before Israel’s exile to Assyria. At the time, Israel was in financial bliss, affluence, and civil peace. The problem, God’s people were bound in ethical depravity and spiritually poverty.
The book of Hosea focuses on their rebellion against God and their violation to the covenant with the Lord. Hosea pronounced their coming judgement.
The first three chapters of Hosea bounce between God’s judgement and the salvation of Israel. The Lord use HIs command to Hosea that he marry an adulterous woman to symbolize Israel’s relationship with Him. Just as His wife was unfaithful to him, Israel was unfaithful to God. In each of the three chapters, there is promise of the coming judgement to be reversed.
The set up for our scripture today, starts in chapter five. Hosea brings a resounding accusation against the priests and king as well as the entire nation. The leaders were culpable for leading the people in false worship.
I will depart and return to my place
Hosea 5:15
until they recognize their guilt and seek my face;
they will search for me in their distress.
God had turned the people over to their filthy desires and left them in their filth to await for Israel’s intentional choosing to return to Him. God would use invading forces to bring Israel back to Him…but a question lingers…. would the people accept God?
Come, let’s return to the Lord.
Hosea 6:1-3
For he has torn us,
and he will heal us;
he has wounded us,
and he will bind up our wounds.
He will revive us after two days,
and on the third day he will raise us up
so we can live in his presence.
Let’s strive to know the Lord.
His appearance is as sure as the dawn.
He will come to us like the rain,
like the spring showers that water the land.
This is the future voice of Israel who are earnestly seeking the Lord. These three verses display a cycle often seen in Hebrew literature. Verses 1a and 3a are encouragement and verses 1b -2 and 3b are an inspiring assurance.
This is a major contrast to what we read in the previous chapter about Israel’s foolishness and rebellion. The invaders of Assyria could not do what only the Lord can do. Only God can restore Israel and He will only do it IF they turn back to Him. Israel knows that God will restore them as He promised. Hosea likens this restoration as the refreshing nature of dawn, showers, and spring rain.
God Had proven Himself faithful before, fulfilled His promises before, and given them freedom to expect He would continue in faithfulness.
In verse four of chapter 6, and the following, we read God’s response to Israel. God chastises them for their fading love by asking them a rhetorical question.
What am I going to do with you, Ephraim?
Hosea 6:4
What am I going to do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist
and like the early dew that vanishes.
God is calling Israel out, as if they did not already know what they had done. He calls them out for their wickedness and unfaithful hearts. Then God tells them what He requires of them.
For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice,
Hosea 6:6
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
In the last verse of chapter six God gives us hope:
A harvest is also appointed for you, Judah.
Hosea 6:11
When I restore the fortunes of my people,
Israel had done terrible wrongs, but God is forever faithful and stands by His promises. God does the same for us. He points our our wrong doing, tells us exactly what we need to do, and gives us hope. God is a faithful, covenant-keeping God. He is true, just, gracious, merciful, kind, loving, and holy (to mention several of His amazing attributes). To acknowledge Him is an avowal of agreement regarding Who He is and what He has done, is doing, and will do. This is all according to His perfect nature and will.
The world in which we Christians live is fraught with pain, grief, wars, strife, idolatry, and persecution, to name a few. When we study the Bible, we can’t help but get to know its Author. And when we know Him more, we trust Him and love Him more. Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and we lean into Him in all circumstances. As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
All of the Bible displays God’s faithfulness. And we have no reason to fear anything because He is greater in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Satan is a defeated foe and we are kingdom dwellers, here as Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), sharing the gospel and the joy that comes from belonging to Christ.
It Starts Small 
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