Hosea 14 Commentary

The book of Hosea contrasts God’s faithfulness to Israel’s faithlessness. In the first three chapters, Hosea introduces the reader to Israel’s infidelity to their Suzerain (Ruler) God who entered into a covenant with Him, and spelled out the path they could take that would lead to great blessing. God’s covenant with Israel can be viewed as a marital contract. By using Hosea’s own marriage to his unfaithful wife, Gomer, God demonstrated that Israel is an unfaithful covenant partner. Israel had broken her vows to her Covenant Husband.

Throughout the rest of Hosea, Israel’s condition is described as disobedient, rebellious, and idolatrous. As God had warned, Israel’s adoption of pagan principles of self-indulgence led to exploitation, deception, and violence (Hosea 4:2). The people of Israel stood in need of repentance and genuine righteousness. Hosea called them to repentance, but Israel declined.

Israel spent years sowing to its own destruction, making and breaking alliances with the world’s superpowers at the time, Egypt and Assyria, dealing treacherously. Hosea describes Israel as acting like a “silly dove” flitting from one nation to the other, rather than turning to God for protection (Hosea 7:11). Thus Assyria will come and put Israel into exile, which God will use as a way of punishing Israel for its infidelity to its covenant with God (Hosea 11:5).

Through it all, however, the book offers hope to Israel. For although the Suzerain God invoked the discipline provisions of their covenant contract with Him, resulting in them being wounded grievously, in the end times He will heal them, revive them, and restore their blessings (Hosea 2:20, 14:7). May all who read this book find comfort and hope in the steadfast love and faithfulness of God!

Hosea 14 begins with a final call to repentance in which the prophet provides a model of prayer for idolatrous Israel to use as they confess their sins. Following the prayer of repentance, the LORD turns away from His anger, restores Israel, and showers them with His unfailing love. Restored to their land, revived, and regenerated, the Israelites will serve the LORD forever and will no longer practice idolatry. The chapter ends on an instructive note, urging anyone reading the book to live wisely by obeying God’s commandments. The chapter’s division is as follows:

1. Hosea calls Israel to return to the LORD with a genuine heart. He gives them a prayer to pray, and urges them to pray it and renew their allegiance to God—to recognize their dependence on God’s mercy (vv. 1–3).

2. The LORD will respond to a prayer of repentance by Israel and restore them, bringing them back to life as a nation (vv. 4–8).

3. Hosea urges anyone reading his prophecy to live wisely by obeying God’s precepts because they are completely true, and will lead those who follow His ways to be “righteous.” The way of righteousness is the path to our greatest possible fulfillment. (v. 9).

The Bible Project - Hosea Summary