GOD'S JUDGEMENT AND PUNISHMENT
Even Hosea is referred to as the prophet of God's
unlimited love; he revealed the Lord's message of judgement and punishment.
Hosea saw that Israel deserved the Lord's punishment for
having turned away from Him by worshipping other gods.
For having been unfaithful, the Lord rejected Israel as
His own people and was now willing to destroy them and their land.
Hosea prophesied a time when Israel would be ruined. It
would be a day of punishment which to him would surely happen.
According to Hosea, the Lord would remember all the evils
of the people of Israel. Their sins would surround them and He would avoid
seeing them.
Hosea observed that the people of Israel would die a
violent death for the Egyptians to laugh. This was because their leaders talked
arrogantly.
Hosea said that Israel would be taken back to Egypt.
While there, they would be forced to eat food which was forbidden in their
cultures.
The prophet pointed out that Israel's own food would
defile them as they would be forced to eat food meant for funeral rites.
Hosea said that God was determined to bring disaster over
His own people. He would use the Egyptians to gather the scattered people for
burial.
Hosea prophesied that Israel's greatness would flyaway
just like a bird because the people had worshipped Baal.
The prophet said that there would be no children born in
Israel. The Lord would make all women barren. Even when they would raise
children, they would be hunted down and killed.
Hosea compared Israel with a plant whose roots had dried
out and could no longer bear fruits. Just like this plant, Israel had become
useless before God.
Hosea prophesied that those living in the city of Samaria
would be under threat. They would mourn for the loss of their golden bull
together with their priests.
The prophet said that the people of Israel would be put
under disgrace. The Lord was about to put shame on them because they had
followed wrong advice.
Hosea looked at a time of disaster when the Egyptians
would gather the scattered people of Israel for burial
Hosea prophesied that the king of Israel would be carried
off into another land easily like a chip of wood on water.
Hosea foresaw when war would sweep through the cities of
Israel and break down the entire city gate. At that the Lord would be
determined to destroy His own people.
The prophet said that thorns and weeds would grow over
Israel's altars. Because of this, they would no longer be used for worshipping
Yahweh together with other gods.
Hosea prophesied that destruction in Israel would be to a
point where the people would call upon the mountains to hide them and hills to
cover them.
The prophet said that the Lord would destroy the shrines
in the hills of Avens. This would be because they had worshipped idols instead
of Yahweh.
GOD'S SALVATION PLAN
FOR ISRAEL
In one of his many prophesies, Hosea developed the theme
of God's future plan for his own people.
He prophesied that Israel would become like the sand of
the sea, more than could be counted or measured.
The prophet said that the Lord would spare some of his
people. These would be the people to continue with His activities.
Hosea said that God would only destroy only the sinful
people. Even those who repented would be spared.
Hosea said that the people of Israel would live in plenty
again. They would have enough com and fruits from their vineyards as much as
they had before.
He predicted future prosperity in Israel. They would once
again prosper in their own land. The prophet said that Israel would once again
be called God's people. This is reflected in the name "Not-my-People"
which changed into "My-People".
The prophet also said that God would show love to the
people of Israel in future. He changed the name of his last child
"Unloved" to mean "Loved".
Hosea prophesied that Yahweh would choose a leader for
Israel from the line of David. This leader would rule with justice basing on
the covenant laws.
Time would come when the Lord would make a new covenant
with Israel. This covenant would be a remarriage based on faithfulness, honesty
and truthfulness.
Hosea prophesied the re-union of Judah and Israel. The
people would forget their differences and live as one people• as was before.
Hosea said that time would come when Yahweh would respond
to His people. He would answer their prayer as He did when they were still
young.
Hosea said that Israel would return to monotheism. It
would once again refer to Yahweh as their only God.
The prophet said that the Lord would shelter His people
in the future. At that time, they would be like an ever green tree.
The prophet said that time would come when the Lord would
restore Israel to her previous status. They would be famous as His chosen
people once again.
Hosea said that the Lord would be a source of blessing on
His people. They would have enough corn and beautiful olive gardens.
Hosea foresaw Israel returning to her land after a life
in exile. Upon their return, they would be prosperous once again.
Hosea prophesied that Israel would once again be
peaceful. Their enemies would no longer attack them and so would be with wild
animals and birds.
Hosea predicted a time when Israel would do away with
their idol worship thus they would only see the Lord as their only God.