Read 174.) Hosea 4:1-9:17. This prophet Hosea had a particularly long ministry. The first verse tells us he prophesied through 4 reigns in Judah, which reach as far back as unto Uzziah who commenced to reign about 767 BC, right on down through King Hezekiah, whose reign ended about 687 BC. He didn't serve all 80 of those years, but for at least 35 of them, from before 750 to at least 715 BC. This would also have been through all of Israel's 7 last kings, Jeroboam II, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah and Hoshea. All of which had relatively short reigns due to just how treacherous the times had become in thoroughly corrupt Israel.

Chapters 4 through 9 chronicle something of that corruption, as they address God's charge against her, His judgment of her, how that Israel will remain unrepentant, will 'reap a whirlwind,' and be punished of God to the uttermost extent. He might have thought his an unfruitful ministry, but Hosea lived to see exactly what he was given to prophesy, and so, at the very least, his personal experience of having an unfaithful wife, while he was a faithful husband, mirrored the experience of the Lord; He had an unfaithful nation, while He was their faithful God!

There are several important matters we read of. Beginning in chapter 4, with verse 12 and again in 5:4, we read of "a spirit of prostitution." Some have said this refers to a real spirit, while others say it only means an attitude. However, it is quite literal; they were bent on idolatry and unfaithful toward the Lord, and they were sexually immoral says verses 13+14. It has been said that the saddest words in all the Old Testament are those found in 4:17, "Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!" If 4 brought God's charge, 5 will speak of God's judgment for it. 5:15 thru 6:3 even run to that time of the End, when Israel will turn back unto the Lord. This will happen in the very end of the Tribulation.

Chapter 7 continues about Israel's unrepentance toward God, though He longs to redeem them says verse13. From chapter 8 verse 7 comes that famous line, 'They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.' It's a prophecy of their soon destruction. Chapter 9 then goes on about all the punishment the Lord is about to rain upon Israel. Exile, the fulfillment of The 6th Prophecy is what is coming! And the last verse of chapter 9 is where was derived the expression for Israel for many centuries, when they had no land… They were "the wandering Jew," because of their unfaithfulness unto the Lord their God. It's what the Book is all about!

ForeverKingdom,

Harold F Crowell