THE BOOK OF HOSEA.
THE great synagogue put the minor prophets in one volume, of which the son of Syrach says, chap. 49:10, “Let the memorial of the twelve prophets be blessed, and let their bones flourish again out of their place; for they comforted Jacob, and delivered them by assured hope.” And that Hope was the Messiah, to whom all the prophets gave witness, that remission of sins should be preached in his name. Hosea exercised the prophetic office from the reign of Uzziah to that of Hezekiah, comprising a period of about a hundred and twelve years; it is therefore probable that this holy man extended his labours for at least seventy years. He was contemporary with Joel, Amos, Isaiah, and Jonah. His ministry was common to Judah and the ten tribes, but chiefly to the latter, whose idolatries were aptly represented by his adulterous wife. He died just about the time when the Assyrians carried the ten tribes into captivity, good men being often taken from the evil to come. His name stands at the head of his book; and as he often speaks in the first person, it is proof that the book is the production of his own hand.