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The Book of Hosea- Assignment

   

Added on  2020-04-01

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1THE BOOK OF HOSEAStudent NameInstitution Name
The Book of Hosea- Assignment_1

2THE BOOK OF HOSEASeveral conventions exist in the theological world. In analyzing prophetic books contained in the Hebrew Bible, theologians agree that these books include literature associated with ancient prophets in Israel. These prophets are were ordained by God to serve as his spokesperson to the children of Israel. The prophets played essential roles in reminding the Israelites how to live as God desired. Moreover, others pronounced judgment upon the peopleof Israel when they defied God. Despite the existence of these conventions, scholars differ oncertain issues. Particularly, the book of Hosea has been a battlefield for many researchers throughout the years. Initially, scholars were interested in the first three chapters of the book. However, as time progressed, modern scholars opted to scrutinize the entire of book of Hoseato evaluate its coherence. Consequently, these modern studies have prompted questions aboutthe authorship of Hosea. Some scholars argue that the book was written by different authors while others maintain that prophet Hosea wrote it. In spite of these discrepancies, scholars agree that the book of Hosea explicitly describes the nature of God. Prophet Hosea wrote the book of Hosea. However, this opinion has been challenged severally. According to Kakkanattu (2006), some scholars argue that the book might have been written by the prophet’s close followers. This view is backed by the idea that some partsof the book are written in third person perspective. For instance, the first chapter of the book reports how God called Hosea. According to Kakkanattu (2006), if Hosea wrote the book, his calling could have been written in a first-person account. On the other hand, some scholars like Sweeney, Sherwood, Ben Zvi, and Chalmers refute this position in their literature[ CITATION Fre13 \l 1033 ]. According to Frentheim (2013), these scholars maintain that the book’s author is Hosea since it contains some of the original preaching of Hosea.
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3Additionally, Frentheim (2013) and Kakkanattu (2006) state that the use of Hosea’s life as an imagery of his preaching supports his role as the book’s author. The book major on the marital life of prophet Hosea to his adulterous wife. In this respect, only Hosea could have had the ability to relate his life situations to the prophecies and teachings that the book contains. Fraintheim (2013) also points out that the consistency of the book’s teachings and prophecies suggest that it was written by a single author. Consequently, it is acceptable to conclude that the book was written by Hosea since it contains his original preaching and life experiences. However, this does do rule out the possibility that Hosea's close followers could have written some sections of the book since they are written in a third person perspective. According to Dearman (2010), Hosea ministered during the reign of King Jeroboam II. During this time, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had deviated from the ways of God and practiced polytheism. The people worshipped idols and indulged in activities which were not pleasing to God. Moreover, the Israelites faced increasing threats from the Assyrian empire which was emerging as a dominant political force. In this context, Dearman (2010) posits thatthe book was probably written between 755 and 725 B.C before the fall of the Northern Kingdom to the Assyrians. Elaborating on this position, Dearman (2010, p. 4) points out that “there little or nothing in the present text that requires its completion later than the end of the 8th century”. The book was written to warn God’s people to desert their evil ways. Moreover, it reiterates on God’s enduring love for the children of Israel and humanity despite their evil actions. The also text illustrates how God will restore his people’s pride despite their defiance. The theme of love is evident throughout the extract. In Hosea (3:1), God instructs Hosea to go back and love his adulterous wife. God tells Hosea to love his wife as the Lord loves the Israelites despite their insolence. Infidelity in marriage is one of the hardest things to forgive in real life situation. However, God illustrates his lasting love for his people by accepting
The Book of Hosea- Assignment_3

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