A Handbook on Hosea-Joel (UBS Handbooks)
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
The opening of the book of Hosea tells us when the prophet Hosea did his work. It does so by mentioning the kings who ruled during Hosea’s time. Although he was a prophet who lived and worked in the northern kingdom, Israel, the first kings listed are from the southern kingdom, Judah. These rulers of Judah were in power during the ministry of Hosea: Uzziah (781–740 B.C.), Jotham (740–736 B.C.), Ahaz (736–716 B.C.), and Hezekiah (716–687 B.C.). Meanwhile, the only king of the northern kingdom mentioned is Jeroboam II (son of Joash), who ruled 783–743 B.C. It is not clear why other kings of the northern kingdom are not mentioned.
One can imagine reasons why the other kings were not mentioned. Were they not really important, since they ruled for such short periods? Did the writer believe that they were not really kings who were chosen in the proper manner? This is quite possible, but very likely we will never know for sure. 2 Kgs 15 and 17 mention that the kings after Zechariah either came to power only by seizing it or had to pay tribute to the king of Assyria. Fortunately our task is simply to translate what is there.
The important thing to remember is that the message of this book arises out of a period when people of the northern kingdom had forsaken Yahweh, the God of Israel, and were worshiping other gods. All of this led to the end of the northern kingdom, when the Assyrians captured the people and removed them out of their own land (722 B.C.).
- Includes a mixture of narrative and poetry, to tell about Hosea’s personal life.
- Explains the message of this book arises out of a period when people had forsaken Yahweh.
- Exposes the prophet’s personal experiences, for God to bring his message to his people.
- Title: A Handbook on Hosea-Joel (UBS Handbooks)
- Authors: Kees de Blois, Louis Dorn, Gerrit van Steenbergen, John A. Thompson
- Publisher: American Bible Society
- Print Publication Date: 2020
- Pages: 495
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Resource ID: LLS:UBSHBK28HO
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-12-18T21:01:57Z