I begin delving into the Minor Prophets this morning. Minor only because they are smaller than the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel who are seen as Major Prophets because they have larger texts. I am looking forward to the journey as we walk slowly through each of the 12: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
So we open Hosea. And for the last couple of hours I have been simply overwhelmed with this opening verse. I hope it blesses you as much as it does me. Stay with me because after wading through some important detail you realise the importance of this verse.
“The word of the Lord that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the reign of Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel” (Hosea 1 v 1)
Breaking this verse down and understanding the importance of the names, what do we learn about God? Pay particular attention to the emboldened names and words.
Hosea = Prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel (c.750 BC) witnessed the decline and ending of that kingdom under Jereboam. Calls people back to God using his marriage as an illustration. His name means ‘Yahweh has saved’. The name Joshua and then Jesus arises from Hosea. ‘Salvation’ (another form of Hosea) was the only prophet from the Northern Kingdom in the Old Testament. He was born during the wicked leadership of Jeroboam. And though the economy had grown and the nation was initially prosperous, God’s people walked away and worshipped BAAL and ASHERAH. Hosea calls them back but experiences the decline and ending of that nation he was born into. He was still prophesying when Hezekiah became King in the south.
Beeri = The gentile name for BEER meaning ‘well, cistern’ a refreshing place.
Kings of Judah (southern kingdom)
Uzziah = His name means ‘Yahweh is my strength’ and for the large part of his life that was the case. “He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” (2 Chronicles 26:5) Sadly the latter part of his life was filled with pride.
Jotham = His name means ‘Yahweh is perfect’ and after succeeding his father Uzziah was influenced by Isaiah. God gave him victory over the Ammonites (2 Chronicles 27:5). A good king.
Ahaz = His name means ‘Yahweh has taken hold of to protect’. However He didn’t mirror his name for he let go of Yahweh and did not walk by faith. A bad king. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14) said after Ahaz would not step into faith and trust God. A Messianic promise of salvation.
Hezekiah = His name means ‘Yahweh has strengthened me’. A good king (he reopened the Temple) but in later life rebelled and paid the price. God stepped in and saved the city of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35)
Kings of Israel (northern kingdom)
Jeroboam = A bad king on the whole and his name means ‘The people are great’! But an interesting detail is that Hosea, Jonah and Amos prophesied during his reign and Jeroboam does appear to listen to the prophecy from Jonah (2 Kings 14:25) and he re-established Israel’s borders by being obedient to the word from God.
Jehoash = His name means ‘Yahweh has granted’ and though he was a bad King, God enabled him to defeat King Benhadad and recover cities that had been taken (2 Kings 13)
Perhaps someone needs to hear this simply message today! Maybe you need to hear a prophet declare truth to you. Mediate on what you will read based on this simple yet powerful verse!
Out of the well (Beer) salvation (Hosea) came and out of the well of your heart God’s presence will flow and He will save you.
Even in the context of challenging circumstances:
He will give you success;
He will give you victory;
He will give you the promise of Him coming to you;
He will step in and save you;
He will re-establish whatever has been broken down;
He will recover for you what has been taken or lost;
How?
He is your strength;
He is perfect;
He has taken hold of you to protect you;
He is your strength;
He alone is great;
He is your giver.
Amen!
What beautiful powerful promises and truth! Walk in them today!
Missions Paul 