Brief Hints on the Minor Prophets [Pamphlet]

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Introduction

Does the group of the so-called Minor Prophets differ from all the other component parts of Holy Scripture? Or is each of them characterized by its own special aim, and a peculiar contribution to the sum of divine revelation? Let us examine them, however briefly, one by one, though in time they were gathered for convenience into a single volume by the Jews.

Hosea

The drift of Hosea, though in style terse and abrupt to obscurity, is sufficiently clear in the main to any attentive believer. He announces in chapter 1 the fall of Jehu’s house and of Israel’s kingdom, under the symbolic children Jezreel and Loruhamah. A still more awful doom was intimated by Lo-Ammi, when the ruin of Judah should leave Jehovah without a recognizable people. Yet the chapter does not conclude without the assurance (1) that, in the place where Lo-Ammi was said, sons of the living God should be said (which Romans 9 applies to the call of the Gentile and to privileges higher than Jewish), and (2) that the two houses of the divided people shall be gathered together with one head (Messiah without doubt in a day yet to come). Is not this so? 1 Peter 2 applies the end of Hosea 2 to the Christian Jews even now. It is plain, however, that the end of both chapters contemplates as a whole what is not yet in terms fulfilled. Hosea 3 fills up the gap with a graphic sketch of the long interval during which the people abide without privilege—civil or religious—and yet without idolatry, before their blessed restoration at the end of the days. Such is the first section.

The second part is a series of expostulations, entreaties, menaces, and lamentations over the beloved but guilty people, distinguishing the sons of Israel from Judah’s in danger; and testifying, not only the loss of priestly place as a whole (Hosea 4:6), but priests, people, princes—all objects of divine displeasure and judgment (Hosea 5). Hosea 6 breaks out into a touching appeal that they might repent; as Hosea 7 has to pronounce woe, because even when they howled, they cried not to Jehovah in heart. Hosea 8, therefore, is the trumpet blast of coming destruction on Israel and Judah.

Yet, in Hosea 9, what tender pleading over Ephraim, about to become a wanderer, wherein the prophet was a snare! It was no new evil, but since Gibeah: what could be but cutting off Israel’s king and the Assyrian their king (Hosea 10-11)? What a contrast with Jacob, as Hosea 7 draws out. Nevertheless, He declares that He will ransom them from the power of Sheol and redeem them from death.

Accordingly, the last chapter (14) provides words of confession and of return to Jehovah from iniquities and creature help with His own blessed and blessing promises—which shall be made good as surely as He spoke them through the prophet.

Table of Contents

1. Brief Hints on the Minor Prophets

2. Other Interesting Titles