The Book of Hosea is the beginning of the 12 books of the minor prophets (shorter books), a collection of Hosea's prophecies for 25 yrs in Hebrew poetry. Amos & Hosea were the last 2 prophets who gave last warnings to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the King of Jeroboam II (before the fall to Assyrians). That period, the Israelites were prosperous but turned to worshiping golden idols, prosperity gods - forsaking Jehovah God. Sadly, this sounds familiar today just like ours.

Hosea was asked by God to marry a "wife of whoredom", Gomer (1:2). Her unfaithfulness to her husband parallels the unfaithfulness of Israel to God. The covenant between God and Israel, His love for Israel demonstrates who God is. "Chesed”, a Hebrew word meaning, steadfast love & righteous love is the theme all throughout. God's love is steadfast despite Israel's rejection of Him. Hosea lived that life of compassion so we can grasp & respond to the call, to experience God intimately.