Daily Archives: July 10, 2024

An outline of Hosea – Part 2

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The second section of Hosea (4:1-14:10) consists entirely of prophetic messages that Hosea delivered. These messages are generally grouped into sections chronologically:

  • Chapters 4-8 likely reflect the earlier period of Hosea’s ministry (~20 years) during the reigns of Kings Jeroboam II Pekah which included prosperity in the beginning tainted by moral corruption, but also involved the Northern Kingdom in a regional war
  • Chapters 9-12 reflect the three year period of peace following the regional was war; and
  • Chapters 13-14 reflect the last ten years of the Northern Kingdom, which was destroyed in 722 BC by the Empire of Assyria.

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An outline of Hosea – Part 1

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Introduction (Hosea 1:1) – “The word of the LORD that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam, son of Joash, king of Israel.”

Marriage as a Metaphor for the Covenant (Hosea 1:2-3:5)

The first section of the book is organized around the theme of marriage as a metaphor for God’s relationship with the people. According to this metaphor, God is like a faithful husband who is married to Israel, a faithless wife. This section of Hosea has been the source of much controversy and debate. This section announces judgment on Israel and then promises restoration following punishment. Continue reading →

Family and Mission

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This coming Sunday is the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Their faith forms a striking contrast to the reception Jesus receives in his hometown. Jesus astonishes those gathered in the synagogue with his teaching and healing (vv. 1–2; Mark 1:21–28). Readers might expect an example of healing or exorcism to follow as in Capernaum, but it does not. As Perkins [591-2] notes: “Jesus’ natural family were excluded from the circle of believers in an earlier episode (3:21, 31–35). That episode establishes the contrast between the Twelve, whom Jesus chose to be with him (3:14); the natural family of Jesus (3:21, 31); and the wider circle of Jesus’ followers, his new family, those who do the will of God (3:35). Jesus’ return to Nazareth, with members of his new family (the disciples; v. 1) raised the question left open in an earlier episode: Will those with familial and social ties to Jesus believe?” Mark 6:1-6 answers the question: no Continue reading →