The first book of the Twelve Prophets, the book of Hosea son of Beeri, is the longest of the twelve, comprising fourteen chapters. Hosea prophesies to the last generation before the Assyrian destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE. In his prophecies, Hosea denounces the corruption of the rich and powerful, whose indifference to injustice is leading the people to certain destruction. While still outwardly powerful, the country’s foundations have been weakened and undermined during years of lawlessness and violence. Though his message is stark and dire, his belief in the people’s ability to repent and return is even greater, and Hosea tries to convince them of the possibility of salvation even when all seems lost. In its barest form, God’s relationship with the people is founded on love; the love of a parent for an infant that He taught to walk (11:3), and the love of a husband for his betrothed (2:16).
The first three chapters of the book are autobiographical; Hosea is commanded by God to marry a woman described as a harlot, and have children with her. Through this marriage and the naming of his children, Hosea creates one of the most powerful metaphors for the relationship between God and Israel. The following chapters, 4-13, describe a litany of sins that the people committed, and the punishments that will inevitably follow. The final chapter is one of the most sublime calls for repentance in the Bible, and is traditionally read in synagogues on the Sabbath which occurs during the Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.