Hosea, Obadiah & Micah

1. Hosea, Obadiah & Micah

2. Hosea, Obadiah & Micah H O S E A • Basic Introduction • Hosea’s name means “God is salvation” • Prophesied to the Northern Kingdom, Israel • 8th Century B.C. (~750-715 B.C.) • Contemporary with Isaiah & Micah in South • Just prior to the Assyrian captivity • Northern Kingdom, Israel, fell to Assyria in 721 B.C. • Israel also identified as “Samaria,” its capital city • Israel also identified as “Ephraim,” its largest tribe

3. Hosea, Obadiah & Micah H O S E A • Basic Message: A Loving God & An Adulterous People • Admonition for & Condemnation of Idolatry • Israel practiced idolatry openly & offered sacrifices unto Baal – 2:13; 4:12a, 13a; 8:4-6; 9:10; 13:1-2 • Prophet urged Israel to repent & return – 6:1-11; 14:1-9 • Vivid Depiction of Spiritual Adultery • The relationship between Hosea & his wife, Gomer, and the names of their three children are used to acutely illustrate the gross nature of Israel’s sins & God’s desire to take her back. • 18 times used “whoredom,” “harlot” or “adultery” to describe how Israel had turned against God. No knowledge of God! • The Love of God for His People • God loved them enough to tell them of their sins, to warn them of their doom & to punish them if necessary. • Hebrew hesed found 6 times: “lovingkindness” (2:19); “mercy” (4:1; 6:6; 10:12; 12:6)

4. Hosea, Obadiah & Micah O B A D I A H • Basic Introduction • Obadiah’s name means “servant of the Lord” • Date is uncertain – written after Jerusalem had suffered significant calamity (but 4 times) • Most probable he prophesied either 850 B.C. to Israel or after 586 B.C. to Judah (after Judah fell) • Prophesied the impending doom of Edom • Nations of Israel & Edom at odds from beginning • Relationship between Jacob & Esau – Genesis 25 • Edom refused passage to Israel – Num. 20:14-21 • David subdued Edom during his reign – 2 Sam. 8:14 • Edom had joined forces with God’s enemy and mistreated her brethren, the Israelites (instead of coming to their aid) – v. 12-14

5. Hosea, Obadiah & Micah O B A D I A H • Basic Message: A Compassionate God & A Prideful People • Despite imperviously situated city & elevated sense of their own wisdom (a pride-filled people), Edom would be destroyed (v. 1-14; cf. Prov. 16:18) • A divine punishment for Edom’s cruelties toward Israel – the Lord is in charge! (cf. Dan. 4:17) • The Day of the Lord predicted, with the restoration & victory of Israel (v. 15-21) • Purpose of the book seems not to warn Edom but to comfort the Israelites and to promise a return of the Jewish exiles (but no survivor of Esau) • “The kingdom shall be the Lord’s” – v. 21 (cf. Rev. 11:15)

6. Hosea, Obadiah & Micah M I C A H • Basic Introduction • Micah’s name means “Who is like Jehovah” • Prophesied to the Southern Kingdom, Judah • 8th Century B.C. (~740-700 B.C.) • Contemporary with Isaiah in Judah & Hosea was slightly earlier in Israel • There was great turmoil among God’s people • Societal chaos – prosperity & luxury reigned, plus the Northern Kingdom was falling to Assyria • Religious chaos – contaminated by heathen influences

7. Hosea, Obadiah & Micah M I C A H • Basic Message: A Merciful God & A Corrupt People • God’s People Have Sinned & Will Be Punished! • Consumed with idolatry – 1:6-7 • Their rulers hated good & loved evil – 3:1-4 • God’s Judgment Is Certain! • Samaria/Israel will be overthrown – 1:3-7, 16 • Judah will be destroyed – 3:12; 4:10; 7:13 • God’s Demands Require the Heart! • Religious devotion must have 3 companions – 6:1-8 • God’s Eternal Plan Is Pictured! • Lord’s house/church established in Jerusalem – 4:1-5 • The Messiah born in Bethlehem – 5:2 • The mercy of God will save us – 7:18-20