1. The unfaithful nation of Israel is pictured by Hosea’s unfaithful wife, Gomer (Hos. 1:2).
2. Hosea had three children with symbolic names: Jezreel - “a city in Israel”, Lo-Ruhamah - “No Mercy”, and Lo-Ammi - “Not My People” (Hos. 1:3–9).
3. God desires mercy and not sacrifice (Hos. 6:6).
4. God wrote the great things of His law for Ephraim, “But they were considered a strange thing” (Hos. 8:12).
5. According to Hosea, the Israelites had “eaten the fruit of lies” by trusting in their own way (Hos. 10:13).

In Hosea, God is glorifying Himself through harlotry, so that He might demonstrate His superior goodness in the salvation sinners, the damnation of the wicked, and for the preservation of His people for His eternal glory, and their eternal joy.

The author identifies himself as Hosea the son of Beeri, which is also confirmed by the Apostle Paul.

Hosea prophesied from the reign of Uzziah (792–740 B.C.) to that of Hezekiah (716–687 B.C.). He probably finished his book during Hezekiah’s reign.

“When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea:
‘Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry
And children of harlotry,
For the land has committed great harlotry
By departing from the Lord.’ ”

Hosea 1:2

“I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me
In righteousness and justice,
In lovingkindness and mercy;
I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know the Lord.”

Hosea 2:19–20

“I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.
I will be like the dew to Israel;
He shall grow like the lily,
And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
His branches shall spread;
His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And his fragrance like Lebanon.
Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
They shall be revived like grain,
And grow like a vine.
Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.”

Hosea 14:4–7

1. Idolatry is spiritual unfaithfulness towards God.
2. The Lord is in the business of redeeming idolaters.
3. God’s love towards His elect is unconditional.

1. Hosea

   Hosea is a type of Christ. Like Hosea, Christ came to redeem a bride who had not been faithful to Him.

2. Other Types of Christ
   1. The Son called out of Egypt (Hos. 11:1; Matt. 2:15)
   2. The only Savior (Hos. 13:4; Acts 4:12) 

1. The Tragedy in Hosea’s Home (Hos. 1–3)
2. The Tragedy in Hosea’s Homeland (Hos. 4–14)