1. Survey of the Old Testament
Chapter 33
Hosea

2. The Writing of the Book The Background Attributed to Hosea
Issues raised by some commentators
Judah references
“Salvation” passages
The Background
“Golden age" of Jeroboam II and the subsequent deportation by Assyria
Photo: "I will punish her for the days she burned incense to the Baals" (Hos. 2:13). Baal was the Canaanite storm god and was associated with the fertility of the fields. Israel was constantly drawn to the worship of Baal in violation of their covenant with the Lord.

3. Purpose and Message
The relationship between Yahweh and Israel illustrated through Hosea and Gomer
 Mercy and judgment
Photo: "She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold––which they used for Baal" (Hos. 2:8). This is an olive press from the Israelite town of Hazor.

4. Structure and Organization
Biography and autobiography
Chiastic arrangement
Indictment, judgment, instruction, aftermath
Major Themes
Hosea's Marriage
Baalism
Photo: These images, believed to be fertility figurines, are referred to as "pillar figurines." They are found in abundance in Israelite settlements at the time of Hosea, who indicted his audience for the fertility practices that he labeled adultery and prostitution in Hosea 4:10-19.