A TIME OF INSTABILITY - notice the royal longevity in Hosea’s time . . .

 

Zechariah = six months as king of Israel; assassinated by Shallum

Shallum = one month as king of Israel; assassinated by Menahem

Pekahiah = two years; assassinated by Pekah

Pekah = four years, assassinated by Hoshea

Hoshea imprisoned

 

BACKDROP - Israel increasingly relied upon dynasty, political intrigue, and military non-aggression pacts with neighbors. But caught between Egypt to the south and Assyria to the north and west, Israel played the one against the other, favoring Assyria over Egypt. But when political alliances unravel, Israel reverts to the local deities-Baal and Moloch. Hosea’s words confront Israel in three ways: (1) unfaithfulness to YHWH; (2) political instability; and (3) trust in foreign powers.

LOSS OF IDENTITY - The book of Hosea recalls the God who had formed them, nurtured and prepared them for possession of the Promised Land; God had guided through obedience to the Law. Now, years later, Israel has prospered in relation to their modest beginning as slaves in Egypt. They’d adjusted their religious life to accommodate life in Canaan. This, of course, came at the great cost of faith and identity. As a nation they no longer nourish a living faith with YHWH; they had, according the prophet, forgotten the Covenant.

What would cause a person, a community or nation to lose its identity? Hosea suggests at least one answer: disregard for the old ways and ignorance. Israel throws caution to the wind and adopts the cultural identity of another people.

What values, truth, beliefs has been blurred during the course of your life? What legacy that you cherish, that perhaps past generations have cherished is in danger of being lost forever?

Law and Gospel forms the movements for this lesson and homily. The first part of the passage relates to God’s instruction to Hosea to participate in a living parable-to marry a partner who is not faithful. The names of the children of such a strange union depict God’s disgust, pain, and rejection at Israel’s unfaithfulness.

Retell the story of Hosea and Gomer; you might refer to Frederick Buechner’s famous description of Hosea and Gomer to help in the story-telling. But then, "freeze" the story and enter your listeners’ lives and community. How do we compromise God’s goodness to us? How do we trust treatments, promises, people, jobs, or security more than we trust the Source of provisions? How can churches lose their identity in their accommodations to society and culture?

Reenter the story and place focus and emphasis on the Gospel found in 1:10-2:1. Show how God intends to act in our lives and congregations as we trust God.

Return to Buechner’s story, or simply tell the story’s conclusion at the end of chapter 1 and draw some learning points for the congregation to consider. [1]

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[1] Frederick Buechner, Peculiar Treasures (NY: Harper and Row, 1979), page 43.