Responsibility, Chastisement and Restoration

Book excerpt: Many Old Testament scholars have focused their studies of justice on the eighth-century BC prophets Isaiah, Amos and Micah, giving little or no attention to Hosea. Neglect of Hosea in relation to justice arises from the common notion that he was a prophet of love, and although some studies concede that parts of the book deal with justice, it is often overlooked or given secondary importance to other concerns and themes. In this publication Ronald Laldinsuah addresses this misconception by demonstrating that Hosea was indeed a prophet of justice. Through careful analysis of the text as well as observing both the biblical concept and the secular notions of justice it is observed that justice must perpetuate right and true relationships. In ‘relational justice’ we see the inseparable relationship among humans, and between humans and God – emphasising Hosea’s message of responsibility, chastisement and restoration.