Ozeasz wobec idolatrii

Abstract

The historical background in which the prophet Hosea found himself is presented first. It is the final years of the reign of the Hebrew king Jeroboam II (782-753), after whom will reign eight more kings. In Israel, the cult of the Canaanite god Baal is spreading. God, through the prophet Hosea, reminds people of the only true love. This love is He himself. To do this, Hosea uses very clear images which show that love is the criteria of God’s work. Love is presented in bold anthropomorphisms as the jealous want of total engagement without doubts or compromises (Hosea 4,1; 6,6). The predicted judgment is a lesson that is to serve the conversion of the nation. The second characteristic element of Hosea’s thought, which is also a consequence of the presented message of love, is the condemnation of paganism and idolatry. This religious idolatry consisted of honoring Baal, along with the fertility practices of the cult. Besides the religious idolatry, Hosea also speaks of political idolatry. God in the situation opens for Israel the return road through the desert as the symbol of a new beginning. In all of this, one sees God’s love ‒ God, who continually wants to protect and keep his people.