Theme - Hosea began his ministry as a prophet during the reign of Jeroboam II, and he laboured during the time of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah in Judah. Northern Israel was prosperous during the early part of his work; Syria and Moab had been conquered and the borders of the nation greatly extended; domestic affairs and foreign commerce were both in their most advanced stages. Spiritually, however, there was decay: luxury ate at the heart of the nation; immorality and injustice were rampant; idolatry gripped the whole land. Hence, the message of Hosea inferred that Israel was Jehovah's adulterous wife, disowned and repudiated, but still loved with an undying affection and destined to be purified and restored. In style and expression, Hosea is metaphorical and figurative, filled with emotional colouring and variety of thought, and intense in sentiments of genuine love.

Outline - The book falls rather naturally into three parts: I. Israel's Sin Illustrated by the Tragedy of Hosea's Wife (1-3) II. Israel's Sin and Punishment (4-13:8) III. The Ultimate Blessing and Glory of Israel's Restoration (13:9-14:9)