Hosea

This is the twenty-second in a series of biblical summaries from David Dorsey's book: The Literary Structure of the Old Testament.  This is the first in the sub-series of minor prophets, covering Hosea.

a   Israel is God's wayward wife; but he will cause her to return home (1:1-3:5)
     b   condemnation of Israel's spiritual prostitution and idolatry (4:1-5:7)
          c   condemnation for political faithlessness and corruption and empty sacrifices (5:8-6:11a)
               d   CENTER: Israel has not returned to Yahweh (6:11b-7:16)
          c'  condemnation for political faithlessness and corruption and empty sacrifices (8:1-9:7b)
     b'  condemnation of Israel's spiritual prostitution and idolatry (9:7c-10:15)
a'  Israel is God's wayward son; god invites him to return (11:1-14:9)

The 'a' pattern relates God's enduring love for Israel.  Israel is expressed in the first section through the metaphor of a wife, and in the second section through the metaphor of a son.  In the first section, we see God has loved Israel like a wife, and in the second, God has loved Israel like a son.  In the first, Israel has been unfaithful to God and has loved the Baals.  In the second, Israel has been unfaithful to God through his idolatry.  Both have the theme of exodus and emphasize the theme of return.  Both have a message of hope: in the first section, that God will receive back his divorced wife, Israel, and forgive her; and in the second section, that God will receive back his orphaned son and forgive him.

The 'b' pattern is linked by condemnation of Israel's spiritual prostitution and idolatry.  Both sections have warnings mentioning Beth-aven and Gilgal.  Both speak of Israel's spiritual prostitution.  Both convey themes of shame and glory.  Both speak of condemnation of the altars.

The 'c' pattern is linked by condemnation for political and religious faithlessness.  Both begin with the phrase "sound the trumpet."  Both are addressed to both Israel and Judah.  Both convey that Yahweh is not pleased with Israel's sacrifices to him.  Both speak of how Israel has turned to Assyria rather than Yahweh.  The second section speaks particularly of Israel's exile to Assyria.

The 'd' section is central, conveying the main point of the book's negative thrust: though God has called Israel to return to him, she continues in her waywardness and refused to return.