An outline of the Book of Hosea

Hebrew Name - Hoshea "Salvation"
Greek Name - Osee (Greek form of the Hebrew)
Author - Hosea (According to Tradition)
Date - 785 BC Approximately
Theme - The apostasy of Israel
Types and Shadows - In Hosea Jesus is the faithful husband

The prophet Hosea had a real-life situation that God used to illustrate his problem with the nation of Israel. Hosea's adulterous wife had broken his heart, and this is exactly what the children of Israel had done to God when they played the harlot with other gods. Later when her adulterous affairs had led her to be sold on the slave block, Hosea was willing to buy her back for he could not give her up. This dramatically illustrated Israel's situation for soon they would be conquered by the Assyrians and then sold into slavery because they had forgotten their God. The prophet Hosea spoke about a future blessing in which God will restore Israel.

 1:1-1:9     The Family of Hosea
 1:10-2:1    The Restoration of Israel

 2:2-2:23    Israel's Infidelity, Punishment, and Redemption

 3:1-3:5     Further Assurances of God's Redeeming Love

 4:1-4:11    God Accuses Israel
 4:12-4:19   The Idolatry of Israel

 5:1-5:15    Impending Judgment on Israel and Judah

 6:1-7:10    A Call to Repentance

 7:11-7:16   Futile Reliance on the Nations

 8:1-8:14    Israel's Apostasy

 9:1-9:17    Punishment for Israel's Sin

10:1-10:15   Israel's Sin and Captivity

11:1-12:14   God's Compassion Despite Israel's Ingratitude

13:1-13:16a  Relentless Judgment on Israel
13:16b-14:3  A Plea for Repentance

14:4-14:9    Assurance of Forgiveness