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Who Spoke to Hosea?
Many people assume that a 'special' Messenger (angel) spoke to Hosea concerning Elohim’s (God’s) plans for Israel. But in the entire book the only reference to a messenger is made in chapter 12:4 where Jacob wrestled with the “Angel” of Yehovah (Jehovah). This book poses a problem to people who believe that the references to “One God” are about a body count. The One speaking to Hosea makes dozens of comments about what He, Yehovah, is going to do (ie: I, ME, MY), WHILE AT THE SAME TIME praising the Elohim whom Israel claims to “seek”; adding that “they won’t find Him. He has withdrawn Himself from them. 7 They are unfaithful to Yehovah”. It is abundantly apparent that the “Speaker Elohim” has great respect for Yehovah. The One speaking to Hosea is none other than the One who was later born to a virgin in the flesh!
As a matter of fact, Yeshua (Jesus) (a shortened version of the Hebrew name Yehoshua) autographed the book of Hosea! The names Hosea, Joshua, Yeshua are all derived from the same Hebrew name!
Hosea is Howshea (Ho-shay’-ah). Derived from Yasha, that means Savior, saved or salvation, depending on the context.
Joshua is Yehoshua (Yeh-ho-shoo’-ah), later “nicknamed” Yeshua. From Yehovah, pronounced Yeh-ho-vaw’ (Father’s personal name, used 6,510 times in the Hebrew Scriptures) and “Savior”. Together these names mean “Yehovah is Savior”!
Yeshua (or Yehoshua) is ee-ay-sooce’ in Greek.
The following quotations from Hosea, “the Savior”, represent most of the many verses that identify the Speaker and the places where the Speaker mentions His Elohim. No issues, other than this, are being addressed. Notice that Hosea had virtually nothing to say, other than to record what Yehovah told him!
Hosea 1:1-3 The Word of Yehovah came to Hosea the son of Beeri during the 'reigns' of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam the son of Yehoash, king of Israel.
2 When Yehovah first spoke thru Hosea, Yehovah told him, “Marry a prostitute and have illegitimate children conceived thru prostitution, because the land commits flagrant adultery by abandoning Yehovah.”
3 So he went and married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim. She became pregnant and bore him a son.—The Gabriel Bible
Here Yehovah spoke of the “other” Yehovah!
6-7 She became pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter. Then He told him, “Name her ‘Unloved’ [Lo-Ruhamah], because I’ll no longer show love to the House of Israel or forgive them. 7 But I’ll have mercy on the House of Judah and rescue them by Yehovah their Elohim. I won’t deliver them using bows and swords or in battle with horses and cavalry.
Here is the chapter where the Speaker, identifying Himself as Yehovah, says to Hosea that He (personally) will again marry Israel—this time forever. Israel will also “know Yehovah”!
Chapter 2:3-4,6,9,14-16,19-20 Otherwise I’ll strip her as naked as she was on the day she was born. I’ll turn her into a wilderness, like a desert, and I’ll let her die of thirst. 4 I won’t love her children because they’re children conceived in prostitution... 6 “So I’ll hedge her in with thorns and build a wall so that she can’t find her way out... 9 “So I’ll take back My grain when it 'ripens' and My new wine during the harvest season, and take away My wool and My linen that covered her nakedness... 14 “But I’m going to allure her back. I’ll bring her into the wilderness [Ezekiel 20:35] and speak tenderly to her there. 15 I’ll give her back her vineyards beginning there and the Valley of Achor [trouble] into a door of hope. She’ll respond there as in the days of her youth, just like when she came out of the land of Egypt.” 16 Yehovah says: “When That Day Comes* you’ll call My ‘Husband’ [Ishi] and you’ll never again call My ‘Lord’ [Baali]... 19 I’ll be betrothed [4] to you forever. Yes, you’ll be betrothed to My in righteousness and in justice, in faithful love and compassion. 20 I’ll be faithful to you, and you’ll finally know Yehovah.
[4] Betroth literally means: “a fine, literally pay the price, and gain the right of possession.” Yeshua paid the price. So when does He take possession? And Who is the Messiah’s Bride?
Chapter 3:1 Yehovah told me, “Go back and love your woman as her husband, even tho she continually commits adultery, just like Yehovah loves the people of Israel, tho they turn to other gods and love offering them raisin cakes...
5 But after that the people of Israel will return and be devoted to Yehovah their Elohim and David their king. They will come trembling to Yehovah for His blessings in the last days.
Chapter 4:1 Hear the Word of Yehovah, people of Israel ...
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. “Because you’ve rejected knowledge, I also reject you as My priests. Since you’ve ignored your Elohim’s Torah, I’ll ignore your children...
9 The people and the priests will endure the same punishment. I’ll punish them for their lifestyles, rewarding them commensurate with their behavior.
Chapter 5:1 Listen to this, you priests!...
4 Their behavior won’t allow them to turn to their Elohim. They have a spirit of prostitution and they don’t know Yehovah....
6 They’ll go with their flocks and herds to seek Yehovah, but they won’t find Him. He has withdrawn from them...
10 The leaders of Judah are like people who move boundary markers. I’ll pour out My fury on them like water.
12 So I’ll be like a moth to Ephraim and like decay to the House of Judah...
14 I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I will tear in pieces and carry them off, and there will be no one to rescue them.
12 Then I [Yeshua] will return again to My place [heaven] until they [Israel] admit their guilt and seek My 'presence'. In their tribulation they’ll diligently search for My.”. [1]
[1] The chapter break here is misplaced compared to the Arabic, the Targum and the Syriac versions that logically connect Yeshua’s return to heaven to the comment about the three millennial days in the next three verses.Chapter 6:7 But like Adam they have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to My...
11 Yet Judah, a harvest awaits you when I bring My people back from captivity.
Chapter 7:1-2 When I heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim and the wickedness of Samaria will be exposed, because they are deceitful. Thieves break in, and bandits raid the streets. 2 They don’t take into consideration that I remember all their wickedness. Now their sins have engulfed them, they’re in My presence...
7...None of them calls to My.
10 The arrogance of Israel testifies against him, yet they haven’t returned to Yehovah their Elohim. ‘In spite’ of all this they refuse to seek Him [Father]!...
12-16 When they go, I’ll spread My net over them. I’ll bring them down like a bird from the sky. I’ll punish them because of what was reported against them in the assembly. 13 “'How terrible'! They’ve deserted My. They’ll be destroyed because they’ve rebelled against My. I want to redeem them but they tell lies about My. 14 They haven’t cried to My in earnest, even tho they cry in their beds. They gather together and pray for grain and new wine while turning away from My. 15 I’ve trained and strengthened their arms, but they still plot evil against My. 16 They don’t return to the Supreme. They are like a 'defective' bow. Their leaders will 'die in battle' due to their insolent statements. The people of Egypt will ridicule them for this....
Chapter 8:1-2 Put a shofar to your lips! The enemy descends like an eagle on Yehovah’s 'Temple' because they’ve broken My covenant and rebelled against My Torah. 2 Israel cries to My, ‘My Elohim, we acknowledge You!’...
Chapter 9:1 Israel, don’t celebrate like other nations would rejoice, because you’ve been like harlots, forsaking your Elohim. You loved your profits from prostitution on every threshing floor....
3 They won’t remain in Yehovah’s land. But Ephraim will return to Egypt, and they’ll eat unclean food in Assyria....
10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. When I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the first figs of the season. But they came to Baal Peor and dedicated themselves to shamefulness. They became as detestable as their dearly loved idol....
12-17 Even if they raise children, I’ll bereave them until no one is left. Yes, it will be terrible when I leave them! 13 I’ve seen Ephraim planted in a pleasant meadow like Tyre, but Ephraim will bring out their children to be killed.” 14 Yehovah, give them—what should You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and dry breasts.
15 “All their wickedness began in Gilgal. I began to hate them there. Because of their evil behavior I’ll drive them out of My 'Temple'! I’ll no longer love them. All their leaders are rebels. 16 Ephraim is stricken. Their roots are dried up and they’ll bear no more fruit. Even if they have children, I’ll kill the precious 'children'.” 17 My Elohim will reject them because they didn’t listen to Him, and they’ll be fugitives among the nations.
Chapter 10:2 Their hearts are 'unstable'. Now they must bear their guilt. He’ll demolish their altars and destroy their sacred obelisks...
10-12 I’ll punish you when I’m ready. The nations will gather together to attack you, to bind you in chains for both of your sins [Ephraim’s and Judah’s]. 11 “Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh grain. So I put a yoke on her lovely neck. I’ll harness Ephraim. Judah will plow and Jacob will harrow [Heb. yahorowos] for himself. 12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and harvest a crop of love. Break up your fallow ground since it’s time to seek Yehovah until He comes [1] and showers righteousness on you.
[1] No, He’s not waiting 1,000 years!Chapter 11:1 When Israel was a young man, I loved him, and I called My son out of Egypt....
7 My people are determined to turn from My. Tho they [the prophets] call them to the Supreme, none of them exalts Him...
9-12 I won’t unleash My fierce anger. I won’t return to destroy Ephraim because I am Elohim, not a man, the 'special' One among you. I won’t come in anger. 10 They’ll follow Yehovah, He’ll roar like a lion. When He roars, His children ill come trembling from the west. 11 They’ll come trembling like birds out of Egypt and like doves out of the land of Assyria [north]. I’ll bring them home again,” says Yehovah. 12 Ephraim surrounds My with lies, the House of Israel with deceit. But Judah is still wandering away from Elohim [Gills], and stands against the 'special' Ones. [Yes, it’s plural!]
Chapter 12:2-6 Yehovah also has a dispute with Judah, and will punish Jacob [Israel] according to his ways. He’ll repay him based on his actions. 3 In the womb he grabbed his brother by the heel, and as a man he wrestled with Elohim. 4 Indeed, he struggled with the Messenger and prevailed, he cried and pleaded with him. He found Him in Bethel and He spoke to us there. 5 Yehovah is the Commander, Yehovah is His memorial name! 6 So return to your Elohim. Remain kind and just, and depend on your Elohim continually...
During the Second Exodus the 12 tribes will camp in tents:
9 I am Yehovah your Elohim who rescued you from the land of Egypt. I’ll force you to live in tents again, just like in the days of the appointed Feast [moed].
The following verse is a mantra to the “Oneness” people, but remember the many I’s and HE’s in this book!
Chapter 13:4 Yet I am Yehovah your Elohim ‘who brought you out [DSS]’ of Egypt. You were to acknowledge no Elohim but Me, because there is no Savior other than My.Me...
14-16 I’ll ransom them from the power of the grave [sheol]. I’ll redeem them from death! Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction? “I will have no compassion. 15 Tho he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come—a blast from Yehovah—coming up from the wilderness, and his springs will fail, and his wells will run dry. 'The wind' will plunder his treasury of every precious article. 16 Samaria will bear her guilt because she rebelled against her Elohim. They’ll fall by 'an invading army'. Their children will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women will be ripped open.
Chapter 14:1-4 Israel, return to Yehovah your Elohim, since you’ve fallen because of your sin. 2 Return to Yehovah, and tell Him: &Idquo;Forgive all of our sins, and please accept us, so that we can praise You with our lips. 3 Assyria can’t save us. We won’t ride on warhorses. We’ll never again say to what our own hands have made, ‘Our god!’ Because in You orphans find mercy.’ 4 I’ll heal their apostasy. I’ll love them freely, because My anger has turned away from them.
Here is the concluding verse of Hosea:
9 Whoever is wise should understand these things. Whoever has discernment should understand them. The ways of Yehovah are right, and righteous people 'live by' them, but rebellious people stumble over them.
Chapter 30 is Do You Know Father’s Name?
For additional reading see The Deity of Yeshua, written by Natan Lawrence. Particularly notice the targum (Aramaic) quotations from the pre Messianic scribes who freely acknowledged the “Word of Yehovah” in their writings.
