Book 28-31 The Book of Hosea, Joel, Amos, And Obadiah
Who wrote these books: Each was written by the man whose name is the title of the book—Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah.
When Were They Written:
- Hosea was written at the end of the kingdom of Israel (720 to 730 B.C) Hosea’s prophecy comes at the end (disappearance) of the Northern Kingdom.
- Joel was written during the reign of King Joash, King of Judah—most likely around 830-840 B.C.
- Amos was written between 760 and 750 B.C. during the reigns of Judah’s King Uzziah and Israel’s King Jeroboam II.
- The date of Obadiah’s writing is uncertain. Experts believe it was either during the invasion of Jerusalem by the Philistines and Arabians in the 840-850 B.C. period of time or sometime during the siege of Jerusalem by Babylon.
Hosea
Hosea is a book of prophecy calling God’s people to repent. God doesn’t just give Hosea words to say, though. He makes Hosea’s life one big object lesson—and a most unusual one, at that.
God paired Hosea with a wife named Gomer. Gomer was a terrible wife. She was unfaithful and promiscuous. Yet when God told Hosea to take her back and to do so without resentment and anger, he did.
God likened Gomer’s treatment of her marriage to Israel’s relationship with God. They were unfaithful and promiscuous. They ‘prostituted’ themselves out to false gods and idols, yet God welcomed them back (during the reign of King David) and will welcome them back again when they humble themselves to him.
Hosea also warns us to worship God only, to get rid of all idols in our lives, and that the cost of not doing so is God’s wrath with no holds barred. Hosea doesn’t hold anything back. His messages from God are blunt.
But God, in his ever-loving way; also gives Hosea the tender words in Hosea 6:6 which say, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Joel
Why was it written: To warn the people that they were facing God’s judgment for their harsh disobedience but to assure them of God’s forgiveness if they repent of their sins and return to him.
Like Hosea, God uses something tangible to get his message across through Joel. But with Joel God uses locusts. Locust ‘invasions’ were not uncommon in the land; destroying crops and livestock. But only for a while.
A new season meant new growth. God wanted the people of Judah to know that he would destroy their position in the world because of their disobedience and sinful ways. But only for a while. Joel relates God’s message that:
“Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her….But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.
Amos
Amos, a shepherd from the tiny town or village of Tekoa, lived and prophesied during the same time Isaiah did. Both were from Judah and both men were completely devoted to the LORD.
But that is where the similarities end. While Isaiah lived among the royal court of the Judean kings and was well acquainted with the kings (especially King Hezekiah). Amos, on the other hand, was sent by God to the people of Israel (they had not yet been taken into Assyrian captivity).
Amos’s message was no different than the messages of the other prophets in these days:
- God is angry and brokenhearted
- God is calling on Israel and Judah to confess, repent, and turn back to him
- God’s patience is wearing thin and punishment is not far away
Amos’ prophecies are different, however, in the fact that they address the issue of social justice vs. injustice. He issues stern warnings to anyone whose feelings of superiority because of their wealth, leads them to exploit others, or who exploits others in order to become wealthier and more powerful.
Obadiah
Obadiah’s prophecies take a different tone, Rather than focus on the shortcomings of Israel and Judah, Obadiah’s prophecies are against Edom—the descendants of Esau.
The Edomites were (and still are) in contention with anyone descended from Jacob because of Jacob’s deception against Esau which led to Esau losing his birthright. They proudly gloated over Israel and Judah’s demise and their role in luring them away from God.
Obadiah warned them, however, that when all is said and done they (the Edomites) will be completely destroyed, but Israel will be restored to their place of honor as God’s chosen ones.
The prophecies of Obadiah mirror what Joel said (even though they lived in different centuries). The prophecies of Obadiah have not all come to pass, yet. But they will. You can be sure of it because God is a man of his word.