General preface vii Author's preface ix Chief abbreviations x To the reader . . . 1 Part 1: A parable from life 7 A DISTRACTED FAMILY (Hosea 1 - 3) 1. Introducing Hosea (1:1) 9 2. An ominous beginning (1:2-9) 11 3. A rift in the clouds (1:10 - 2:1) 16 4. The lovers and the Lover (2:2-23) 19 5. 'Love... as the Lord loves' (3:1-5) 30 Part 2: The parable spelt out 35 HOW CAN I GIVE YOU UP? (Hosea 4 - 14) 6. A people without understanding (4:1-19) 37 7. The prospect darkens (5:1-14) 46 8. Let us press on to know the Lord (5:15 - 7:2) 51 9. Decadence (7:3-16) 57 10. Sowing the wind, reaping the whirlwind (8:1-14) 62 11. Wanderers among the nations (9:1-17) 69 12. 'Time to seek the Lord' (10:1-15) 75 13. 'How can I give you up?' (11:1-11) 82 14. Look back and learn! (11:12 - 12:14) 87 15. The unmaking of a kingdom (13:1-16) 93 16. The way home (14:1-9) 98Addenda Map: Assyria and the west 105 Map: The break-up of Israel 106 Chronological table 107 A bird's-eye view of the book 113