On the topic of Hosea, I offer this precis of the entire book.

        [4:12] They ask for revelations from a piece of wood! A stick tells them what they want to know!
        They have left me. Like a woman who becomes a prostitute, they have given themselves to other gods.

        [6:6] I want your constant love, not your animal sacrifices.
        I would rather have my people know me than have them burn sacrifices for me.

        [7:8] The Lord says, "The people of Israel are like a half-baked load of bread.
        They rely on the nations around them

        [8:8] Israel has become like any other nation and is as useles as a broken pot.'

        [10:12] I said, "Plow new ground for yourselves, plant righteousness,
        and reap the blessings that your devotion to me will produce.'

        [10:13] But instead you planted evil and reaped its harvest.
        You have eaten the fruit produced by your lies.

        [13:7-8] So I will attack you like a lion. Like a leopard I will lie in wait along your path.
        I will attack you like a bear that has lost her cubs, and I will tear you open.
        Like a lion I will devour you on the spot, and tear you to pieces like a wild animal.

        [14:2-3] Return to the Lord, and let this prayer be your offering to him:
        "Forgive all our sins and accept our prayer, and we will praise you as we have promised.
        Assyria can never save us, and war horses cannot protect us.
        We will never again say to our idols that they are out God.
        O Lord, you show mercy to those who have no one else to turn to."

        [14:4-5] The Lord says,
        "I will bring my people back to me. I will love them with all  my heart ...
        I will be to the people of Israel like rain in a dry land. ..."


Chapter 11 is worth a separate look as a poetic telling of the prophet's message.


As for the life of a prophet of God, Hosea's one observation on the matter [9:7-8] is as telling as that of any of the prophets:

        The time for punishment has come, the time when the people will get what they deserve.
        When that happens, Israel will know it! "This prophet," you say, "is a fool.
        This inspired man is insane." You people hate me so much because you sin is so great.
        God sent me as a prophet to warn his people Israel. Yet wherever I go, you try
        to trap me like a bird. In God's own land the people are the prophet's enemies.