HOSEA

The prophet Hosea (as Amos and others also) was especially sent by God unto the kingdom of Israel or the ten tribes, (though in the meantime Judah is also frequently reproved by him) amongst whom, in testimony of God’s great longsuffering and faithfulness, he prophesied a long time, (as appears by Hosea 1:1), of which the Holy Ghost was pleased to entrust the sum or substance to be comprehended in a written form to His church, containing first, certain prophetical types of representations, and sharp reproofs of the sinful and ruinous state and condition of the entire kingdom, but especially of the heinous idolatry with the golden calves, set up among them in the time of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, by their first usurping king Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, when Israel first revolted from Judah, and the true worship of God, 1 Kings 12:27, 28, etc. This was further followed with an abominable pagan licentiousness, and as an overwhelming flood of all manner of sins, against both the first and second table of God’s law, and that among people of any social standing, about which the prophet most sharply reproves, with manifold admonitions and invitations unto sincere and timely repentance. Nevertheless, in regard their wickedness and obstinacy, even from the kings down to the least of the people, increased daily and took the upper hand. It is in the second place prophesied to them the total devastation and destruction of their state and kingdom, and would be carried away captives into Assyria, and remain a very long time in a most desolate and forlorn condition among the heathen nations. In the third place, the repenting and believing party are comforted with excellent promises of the grace and favor of God, in their heavenly King, the Lord JESUS CHRIST, unto Whom all the elect, not only from Israel but from the heathens also, would be converted, and in Him are blessed and saved forever.