Hosea

Author: Hosea
Date of Writing: 8th century BC
Type of Book: Prophetic
Theme: God's redeeming love

The book of Hosea is the first of what are called the Minor Prophets. They aren't called Minor because they are less important than the Major Prophets, but because they are generally shorter in length. Hosea prophesied during their reigns of Uzziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel. His career spanned the reigns of several different kings in the north and south, and ended during the reign of Hezekiah. The prophecies of Hosea were directed primarily toward the northern kingdom of Israel. He was a contemporary of Amos, who also prophesied in the northern kingdom, as well as of Isaiah and Micah, who prophesied in the southern kingdom of Judah. Hosea lived long enough to see the northern kingdom collapse and fall to the Assyrians. In this respect he had a role and ministry similar to the one Jeremiah would later have in Judah.

-from Pastor Chuck Smith: The Word for Today Bible