osea The question Summarise this Old Testament book, providing a description of the contents, authorship, date and main themes. The essay One of the 'minor prophets', son of Beeri, near contemporary of Amos and of Isaiah. He prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, e.g. Samaria, in the years preceding its decline and eventual fall to the Assyrians around 721 BCE. Places mentioned in the book are mostly in Benjaminite or Ephraimite territory, e.g. …showed first 75 words of 659 total…

…showed last 75 words of 659 total…loving parent, calling back a rebellious son (11:1-2). The nurturing, sustaining love of God is emphasised in 11:3-4. This love had been rejected (as Hosea and Gomer had experienced rejected love) but God would never give up Israel (11:8). BIBLIOGRAPHY: Cross, F.L. and Livingstone, E.A. (eds.) Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd edition (OUP, 1997) Drane, John Introducing the Old Testament (Lion, 1987) Newsom, C.A. and Ringe, S.H. (eds.) Women's Bible Commentary (SPCK, 1992)