Hosea: a commentary

by James Luther Mays

As spokesman for God and because of his role in the history of Israel's religion, Hosea is a crucial figure in the Old Testament. He stands near the source of a current of faith and tradition that flows to Jeremiah and Deuteronomy. None surpasses him in the passion and creativeness of his prophecy. He spoke out of a feeling of identification with his God that carries a convincing authenticity. He was a man of tremendous emotional range, able at least to reflect in his own feelings the gamut of divine wrath and compassion. Through his sayings and person Yahweh, the God of Israel, wages his final battle against Baal for the soul of Israel. - Introduction.