The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1400A Hos kc 1-1

Hosea

"What is a book titled "Salvation" doing in the Old Testament?"

Hosea means "Salvation" which is why it is so fitting that this great work should be the first book of the 12 Minor Prophets, for without salvation to what benefit would understanding any prophecy be to your soul? Actually, without salvation which is Christ, one cannot even have the eyes to see and the ears to hear to enable him or her to fully understand the prophecies contained in His Word.

Some people wonder why these twelve wondrous books are called "Minor" Prophets.  It is only because they are shorter in length than the other prophecies, not because they are of minor importance. However, in all the Hebrew manuscripts and printed Hebrew Bibles they are written and printed in unbroken sequence and are combined together to form one book, just as the twelve Tribes of Israel, each a separate entity in Israel, combined to form one nation.

It is to that nation, mother Israel and her children (vs. 2), particularly the Ten Northern Tribes known as the House of Israel, that Hosea prophesied, though he had warnings for Judah also. His prophecies were given during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, all Kings of Judah, and during the days of Jeroboam, the King of Israel. We also find that Hosea's work basically contains two sections, the first of which is contained in chapters 1-3 and the second in the remainder of the book. (Note: For further background and structural information on the Book of Hosea and the Minor Prophets, refer to pages 1206 - 1208 in the Companion Bible.)

So the question is... "What is a book titled "Salvation" doing in the Old Testament?" The answer is quite simple. Our Father placed it here for our understanding, to learn not only why salvation is necessary, but especially how He feels about His children who have gone astray (even from the first earth age), and to understand the tremendous love He has in that He would not only give His life but He would take back a wife who was once an unfaithful adulterous.

To that end, this book of Hosea is written which contains very graphic and descriptive language presented in such a way that we might be able to form a PICTURE in our minds of the spiritual things our Father wants us to SEE! The Word of God is full of such imagery. In fact, all that is necessary for our spiritual understanding, including not only such things as salvation, but even all the prophecies written for this final generation, have been acted out in history and recorded for us in His Word. Paul documents this in 1 Cor. 10:11, "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."

For example, we know that the Satan is soon coming as the antichrist and will claim to be the real Jesus Christ. As the "destroyer" he will spiritually "slay the souls of men and women" through the sword of deception. Well, our Father knows we cannot see an invisible spiritual sword slicing through a soul, so He gave us the complete analogy of this spiritual battle of the end time in the historical record of the slaughter and captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon.

Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

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