Biblical Prophetic Literature and Hosea

Hosea is a prophetic book and like many books in this tradition, it is a critique of the current ways of the Israelites and an explanation of why their words and deeds are in error. One of the central images of Hosea 10: 5-6 is that of idolatry, specifically that of the "calf" at which the inhabitants of Samaria "tremble" despite the explicit prohibition of worshipping graven images in Exodus; the calf specifically recalls the idolatry of the golden calf while the Israelites were in exile in the deserts.[footnoteRef:1] The priests that "wail" over it are said to be idolatrous themselves, specifically underlining their worship of graven images but also the sense of despair reflected in Hosea as a text. The fact that the calf will be taken to Assyria may be read as a symbolic warning of Israel being conquered by that nation in the near future. [footnoteRef:2] [1: Daniel Stuart, Hosea-Jonah (WBC), ( Waco: Word Book, 1987): 161] [2: "Hosea." Introduction from the NIV Study Bible. http://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/intro-to-hosea/ (accessed December 29, 2016)]

Hosea is written in the voice of a prophet who lived shortly before "the tragic final days of the northern kingdom" and "in 733 b.c., Israel was dismembered by Assyria because of the intrigue of Pekah,"[footnoteRef:3] Thus, it is an attempt by the author to make sense of why Israel has fallen into disfavor in the eyes of God. Hosea is seen as anticipating many of Israel's sorrows and interprets them as likely bringing upon the wrath of God. Specifically, the adoption of the Canaanite religion is condemned and the exile from God anticipates Israel's later, real, physical exile.[footnoteRef:4] [3: Ibid.] [4: Stuart, 162]

As a work of prophetic literature, Hosea has a strong apocalyptic tone, forecasting the doom of Israel and a harsh judgement because of its idolatry. Hosea does not offer a suggestion to the Israelites on how to avoid their fate, however, rather he simply tells them what will happen. "A graphic description of the helplessness of the king completes the verse...Hosea's announcement of divine retribution ends with a description of the devastation of Israel's many shrines and altars."[footnoteRef:5] Like other prophets, Hosea does not necessarily expect to be respected in his time but rather to explain why what will happen will happen and he parallels the image of idol worship with the eventual physical destruction of Israel's places of worship. [5: Stuart, 165]

This passage references the current idol worship of the inhabitants of Samaria who currently worship and fear the Canaanite god in the form of a calf. But although people will appeal to it for help when their land is threatened, it will not give them any true comfort because it is a false god and the true god has prohibited the worship of idols. Israel shall fall to its enemies, the calf will be carried into Assyria and Israel will be ashamed of worshipping such a god and turning away from the true God.