Page 96 - Divinity_F5

Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

tribute to Tiglath Pileser III (747-727 the murder of kings; it was one of
BCE). the residences of Israel’s kings. It
was here that Jehu massacred the
Israel suffered from assassinations of descendants of Omri. The name
kings and wars from Assyria, yet the Jezreel points out the bloody end of
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
Israelites did not remember God. Hosea the house of Israel. This was fulfilled
was called to give his people a prophetic most probably with the invasion of
message in such a dark period. He lived the Assyrians.
among his people and experienced their b. Lo-ruhama: Hossea’s second child
downfalls. He saw the way of life of his – a girl (Hos. 1:9-10)
people. Hosea was the last prophet of
the Northern Kingdom. Lo-ruhama, is the name of the
second born. The name means “She

The background of Prophet Hosea is not pitied.” Israel has fallen into
Hosea, the son of Beeri (Hos. 1:1), was disfavour with God; they shall no
a subject of the Northern Kingdom longer receive love or forgiveness.
and prophesied in the same kingdom. c. Lo-ammi: Hosea’s third child – a
His name means “Yahweh saves.” The boy (Hos. 1:9-10)
name is compared to the name Joshua The third born is called Lo-ammini,
(Deut. 32:44). Hosea experienced a very which means, “Not my people”

painful marriage when he was married – This implies that the covenant
to a woman called Gomer, a prostitute between God and Israel is ended;
whom God ordered him to marry (Hos. “You are not my people and I am
1:2). Gomer was unfaithful to him and not your God”, implying the final
breakdown of the covenant.
had casual sexual affairs with other
men. Despite this behaviour, Hosea Hosea was a contemporary of Prophet
sought out Gomer and welcomed her Amos in the North and Isaiah and
back home. This personal experience Micah in the South. While Prophet
became an allegory to the relationship Amos prophesied social justice, Hosea

between God and Israel, a symbolic concentrated on the idolatry manifested
action showing Yahweh’s steadfast love in Israel. The people of Israel were
for Israel and the unfaithfulness of his unfaithful. They practised the worship
of Baal. The anger of God was kindled
people Israel. Hosea gave symbolic against Israel.
names to his three children (Hos. 1:4-8).
a. Jezreel: Hosea’s first born (Hosea 1:4)
The name of the firstborn is Jezreel,
the name of a notorious town for

Form Five Student’s Book 87