Hosea
In a national call to repentance, Hosea's prophecy gave Israel an example of its spiritual idolatry, yet portrayed God's love for Israel in spite of her spiritual infidelity. He prophecied in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, and his ministry extended from about 770 to 725 B.C. Hosea, a weeping prophet, was a citizen of the northern kingdom like his counterpart Jeremiah to the south. Hosea's prophesy is characterized by intense emotion as the prophet's personal tragedy is transferred and applied to the nation. Because of the tragic details of his personal life, Hosea has been known as the brokenhearted prophet. His sorrow provides a good illustration of the brokenhearted Lord in His relationship with sinful mankind.