No prophet, not even Isaiah or Jeremiah, has equalled Hosea in the fervour with which he describes the mystery of God’s love for his people. Jeremiah, particularly, and the lyrical Song of Songs have things to say about God’s spousal love; but Hosea expounds it best of all—that is, until such time as the Son of God becomes man and actually shows us the love of God. Therein lies much of the originality and vigour of Hosea’s enduring message—the fact that, as far back as the middle of the
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