We must start by first acknowledging that “Hosea is a profound book that is difficult to summarize.”1 One of the challenges to overcome is how to find a coherent message among the many, seemingly unrelated metaphors and subject changes. Dearman suggests that the household serves as an umbrella metaphor under which other metaphors can be grouped.2 In the ancient Near East, the household located the marriage relationship, the rearing of children, and the productivity of the land, all key metaphors in Hosea. Hwang draws on this idea to summarize the overarching theme of the book as “God’s reconciliation with his estranged household.”3 Though God’s faithful love for his people has been met by repeated acts of unfaithfulness; and though this turning away (Hosea 7:16) from God has caused him to turn against them in judgment (Hosea 4:9; Hosea 5:15; Hosea 12:2), this is not the end.4 Of his own accord, he will again set his unfailing love on his people (Hosea 14:4). His household will be restored and beautified once more.
1 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.