An adulterous woman repeatedly spurns the love of her youth, while her betrayed husband offers forgiveness and seeks to win her back and restore the intimacy of their first love. With this bold and uncomfortable imagery, Hosea tells the story of God and his people. The message is made more poignant as God calls the prophet to embody this divine suffering and redeeming forgiveness in his own marriage. Hosea’s own story thus sets the stage for his message of God’s faithful and enduring love, his righteous judgement and also his continuing offer of reconciliation and a new beginning. Robin Routledge’s commentary explores the historical, cultural, literary and theological dimensions of the book, and offers a guide to its continuing message of judgement, hope and restoration.
Over de auteur
Formerly Senior Lecturer in Old Testament, Director of Research and Academic Dean at Mattersey Hall. Author of Old Testament Introduction and Old Testament Theology; co-editor of As Long as the Earth Endures and Bible and Mission. Contributor to Presence, Power and Promise and the IVP Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets.