Hosea is a prophetic book telling story of the prophet, Hosea who both lived and prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel. Amongst scholars, the consensus regarding the dating of the events detailed within Hosea as having occurred between 755-722 BCE, stemming largely from the books opening verse which detail the kings of Judah and Israel during the ministry of Hosea (1:1). Nearly immediately, Hosea is established as a prophet whom the Lord spoke “through” and “to” (1:2), however, there is no clear indication of authorship in the book as Hosea is referred to both in first person (3:1; 3:2; 3:3) and third person (1:3; 1:4; 1:6). David Hubbard argues that the transition from spoken oracles to the writing of the canonical book is not easily charted, but believes the spoken oracles likely were brought to Judah by Hosea’s disciples, as refugees, after the fall of Samaria in 722/721 BCE, an event which would have validated the prophetic ministry of Hosea prompting an early recording of his prophetic oracles.
Within the Jewish Canon, Hosea is the longest and most theologically complete of the writings of the minor prophets however, scholars disagree on the structural and literary breakdown of Hosea. Bruce …show more content…
19-24), which was tantamount to martial union with God. Despite the perfect, holy, and all-satisfying love of Yahweh, Israel was unfaithful, actively pursuing other lovers, worshipping the Canaanite god, Baal. Israel’s idolatry and spiritual infidelity were in no uncertain terms, flagrant. Israel is described repeatedly as a whore (2:2, 5; 3:3) who actively pursued her lovers (2:5), revealing the extremity of their idolatry. Prostitutes are typically pursued by the customer, Israel, however, pursued hers. Israel was so immersed in paganism, that an extreme demonstration was required in order that they see how far they had departed from
Within the Jewish Canon, Hosea is the longest and most theologically complete of the writings of the minor prophets however, scholars disagree on the structural and literary breakdown of Hosea. Bruce …show more content…
19-24), which was tantamount to martial union with God. Despite the perfect, holy, and all-satisfying love of Yahweh, Israel was unfaithful, actively pursuing other lovers, worshipping the Canaanite god, Baal. Israel’s idolatry and spiritual infidelity were in no uncertain terms, flagrant. Israel is described repeatedly as a whore (2:2, 5; 3:3) who actively pursued her lovers (2:5), revealing the extremity of their idolatry. Prostitutes are typically pursued by the customer, Israel, however, pursued hers. Israel was so immersed in paganism, that an extreme demonstration was required in order that they see how far they had departed from