The book of Hosea tells the story of the prophet Hosea who married a woman named Gomer who was unfaithful, representing God's relationship with Israel. Hosea obeyed God's command to marry Gomer and have children with her, though she later left him for other men. Their relationship reflects how Israel turned away from God to worship other gods. The book uses their tragic love story as a warning to Israel to repent and return to God, just as Hosea took Gomer back despite her infidelity. It emphasizes God's unconditional love and forgiveness of Israel despite their sins.

1. Year- 2010 Hosea

2. Hosea – A Synopsis The author of this presentation is 28 years old. Hosea is the 28 th book in the Old Testament Hosea is the first book in the list of Minor prophetic books in the Bible. There are 12 minor prophet books in the Old Testament

3. Hosea – The Introduction The book of Hosea is a narrative of a Tragic Love story. Hosea means “Salvation of the Lord” Hosea was a prophet in the 8 th Century BC. He is regarded as the greatest prophet of his time.

4. Hosea- The Background King Jeroboam II- “The most powerful King of Israel” was the 14 th King of Israel. He fought against the Syrians and restored the boundaries of Israel. But He did not lead the Israelites in a spiritual way. He was bad in the eyes of God. After his reign, the people of Israel went in their own ways falling for the sins of the world. God uses Hosea to prophecy to the Israelites and tell them what HE feels about them.

5. Hosea – The Shocking Call God asks Hosea to marry a Harlot “Gomer”. Gomer means completion He has three kids through his wife. His wife, cheats him and goes around sleeping with the men of the city Note: The call of Hosea was a shocker of a call. But still Hosea, obeyed God’s call. We see implicit obedience from Hosea

6. Hosea- Gomer God’s love, judgment, Grace and Mercy are woven into their relationship. Hosea and Gomer had 3 children Jezreel (God Scatters) Lo-Ruhamah (Not Loved) Lo-Ammi (Not My People) Gomer had allowed allowed herself to be taken by other lovers, just as Israel moved away from God. Because of Gomer’s affairs Hosea questioned if he really was the father of the last two.

7. Hosea- The book Foundation 1 st Chapter - Hosea marries Gomer and has 3 children 2 nd Chapter – Gomer leaves Hosea for other men 3 rd Chapter – Hosea reconciles with His wife

8. Hosea – The Book formation The first 3 chapters is the foundation of the book Sins of Israel – 4,6,7,12 Punishment – 5,8,9,10,12,13 God’s Hope – 11 (Agape Love) Repentance brings blessings - 14

9. Hosea – The Tragic Love When Gomer leaves Hosea and sleeps around with other men of the city Hosea would be prophesying in the morning to the people of Israel and in the evening he searches for Gomer in the brothels He was ridiculed because he was attempting to guide the nation with his prophecies but couldn’t even control his wife

10. Hosea – God’s Love When men started ridiculing Hosea because of his wife by asking him the question, “ How can a holy man like you, love an adulterous woman like Gomer?” Hosea answered them by saying, “ I love my wife, the same way God loves an adulterous nation like us”

11. Hosea – In brief Gomer, like Israel, was looking for love in all the wrong places. Gomer had the love of her husband and Israel the love of her God. Israel had begun to worship the pagan god Baal, which is the common word meaning husband. Just as Hosea was Gomer’s husband, God was Israel’s husband.

12. Hosea – Why Israel? We might ask the question,” Why did God choose Israel and why did he have such a compassion towards the nation of Israel?” Why not Greece?- with great philosophers like Aristotle and Plato. Why not Rome?- the majestic city of the Caesars. Why not Babylon? –The city of scientists. God chose a tiny nation Israel , because it was mocked by Greece, Rebuked by Rome and enslaved by Babylon. God cares for the meek and Humble

13. Hosea- God’s Love God takes his love to the undeserving little nation of Israel and calls them, “You are the apple of my eye” The book of Hosea stresses on one thing- The one word that defines Christian faith is the word Forgiveness. God gives us a chance to start again, start afresh. We might have sinned big time. But God is a forgiving God and he cleanses our sins when we ask for forgiveness in complete submission

14. Mother Teresa’s example Mother Teresa once went to a baker and requested him to provide some food for the children in her orphanage. He frowned at her and spat on her left hand. She took a handkerchief, wiped the saliva and put it inside her pocket. She then extended her right hand and said " That is for me! Now Can you give me some food for the children". How could mother Teresa do that? Because she was exhibiting God’s love through her actions. It was God’s Grace which was upon her, that made her exhibit such wonderful love How do we react when someone snubs us?

15. What Love is this? It is God’s love. No other Love can be defined unless we understand what God’s love is

16. About the author The author[ Prason] comes from a very small town in the southern most part of India. He had a good education and he was brought up in Christian faith. But he went with the ways of the world in his late teens and fell for all the vices. Still God chose him; broke him and molded him and has made him to be a steward for his sheep. Now the Lord is imparting him with his wisdom and is training him to be an Apostle with a Prophetic Calling . Praise God! for his Yoke is easy and his burden is light If you want to share anything regarding this presentation, please write to the author [Prason] at [email_address]