Good morning, I’m glad you’re joining us again as we begin our exploration of Hosea. Today, we’ll be reading chapters 1–5.

I always like to start by asking: Who is writing this book? The answer is the prophet Hosea, whose name means “Salvation.” He lived in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the time of Isaiah and Amos, in the 8th century BCE, during the reign of Jeroboam II and into the years of political instability that followed. (1)
Prosperity and Forgetfulness
This was a prosperous time for Israel. Jeroboam II had brought stability and economic growth to the nation. (2) But as often happens, prosperity bred forgetfulness. When people struggle, such as when they cannot pay their bills or a loved one is seriously ill, they turn to God. In desperation, we pray. But when the crisis passes and stability returns, we can forget the One who carried us through.

I’ve lived this pattern myself. Decades ago, my wife and I couldn’t even keep our water on, yet we remained faithful—serving in our church and tithing. We reasoned that the amount we tithed wouldn’t have covered our bills anyway, so we trusted God. Months later, a company offered me a good job, and I even received a performance bonus. Looking back, I see God’s hand in that provision. A skeptic might say it was just my job applications and timing, but I know better.

Soon, we had enough for a small ski boat. We enjoyed it often—but never at the expense of Sunday worship. We went midweek, using vacation days, so we could remain faithful to God. I know many people who make the recreation an excuse for their absence. Not that there is anything wrong in enjoying what God has provided you, but when you let it supersede your worship, this is the pattern we are talking about.
Israel’s Drift into Idolatry
Israel’s prosperity led them to forget the God who had blessed them. They built lavish temples and adorned them with idols. At first, some likely protested—reminding others of God’s command not to make images of people or animals (Exod. 20:4). But over time, compromises crept in. Soon a statue representing a god appeared in the foyer. Another small replica of the Ark of the Covenant followed—“It’s not the real ark,” they might have reasoned, “and the ark itself is just a symbol of God’s presence.”

After a generation or two, Baal worship was in full swing—idols everywhere, temple prostitutes offering themselves in fertility rites.(3) People said, “You have to keep up with the times.” But in doing so, they forsook the God of their salvation.
A Living Parable
God had enough. He sent prophets to warn the tribes of Israel. As we’ve seen in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, they did not listen—and they paid the price.

Hosea’s own life became a living parable. God commanded him to marry a prostitute, Gomer, and have children with her (Hos. 1:1–3). (4) This acted prophecy illustrated Israel’s unfaithfulness. They named one of their children Lo-Ruhamah, which means “Not Loved.” I know people who grew up in families where they felt unloved. It leaves emotional scars.
Judgment and Redemption
Yet even in judgment, God promised redemption. Hosea 1:10 speaks of a time when those called “not my people” will be called “children of the living God”—a promise Paul applies to include Gentiles in Romans 9:25–26. Hosea 1:11 foresees a day when “one head” will unite Judah and Israel. Many people believe Christ fulfilled this prophecy by uniting Jew and Gentile in one body.
A Call to Remember
This cycle—desperation, deliverance, forgetfulness—has played out in my life, and perhaps in yours. Have you ever sought God because there was no other answer? When the answer came, did it deepen your faith, or did you drift back into self-reliance?

Our nation—and perhaps your life—may fray at the edges. Will we wait until God is our only option, or will we submit to Him now, asking Him to guide us away from the deep valleys we so often wander into? Let’s stay on higher ground. Let’s seek God in both good times and bad.
Tomorrow, we will read Hosea 6-10.
Footnotes 

“Introduction to Hosea: Historical Context,” Bible.org, accessed September 4, 2025, https://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-hosea-historical-context.

“Hosea: Prophecies, Symbolism, and Historical Context,” Divine Narratives, accessed September 4, 2025, https://divinenarratives.org/hosea-prophecies-symbolism-and-historical-context/.

John Day, Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2000), 68–75.

“Hosea 1 Explained–Verse by Verse Commentary,” God’s Blessing, accessed September 4, 2025, https://godsbless.ing/commentary/hosea/hosea_1/.