Hosea 1-14 / July 19 & 20

Hosea is a prophet to the tribes of Israel just before, during, and after the Assyrians capturing of Israel.  

Here is a link to a PDF chart of the kings and prophets of Israel and Judah:
http://www.thecanyonchurch.com/resources/2009/III/high-school/Visio-Timeline%20of%20Kings%20small.pdf

Hosea reveals a God who brings real judgment to His people, who had turned their back on Him, but in the end, He is married to Israel and He will woo them back to Himself. When they return to Him with all their heart, He will be found by them and He will restore them.

He says in Hosea 2:7, “She will chase her lovers, But not overtake them; Yes, she will seek them, but not find them. Then she will say, 'I will go and return to my first husband, For then it was better for me than now.”

After He judges them, He promises in Hosea 14:4, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him.”

God has brought a measure of restoration to Israel in our day, but the fullness will come at the return of Jesus Christ.