There Is Hope for Your Future: Exegetical and Theological Study of Eschatology in the Book of Hosea
[Thesis]
Gendy, Sherif Lamey Aziz
Duguid, Iain M.
Westminster Theological Seminary
2019
286 p.
Ph.D.
Westminster Theological Seminary
2019
This dissertation exegetically examines the eschatology of Hosea that the prophet communicated through his prophetic sign acts in the first three chapters and subsequently in the context of Yahweh's covenant lawsuit against Israel and Judah in chapters 4-14. I investigate the shape of Hosea's eschatology in three distinct, though interrelated motifs that flow out of his sign acts and Yahweh's covenant lawsuit: (1) covenant restoration (Hos 2:14-23), (2) the reestablishment of Davidic monarchy (Hos 1:10-2:1; 3:5), and (3) Yahweh's transforming love to his people (Hos 11:10-11; 14:4-8). The findings from the research advance our understanding of Hosea's eschatology by demonstrating how the covenants Yahweh made in redemptive history provide the foundation of Hosea's eschatological message to God's people and form the core of his hope for Israel's restoration. Indeed, the shape that governs Israel's history of judgment and restoration, according to Hosea, is determined by the logic of the covenant. For Hosea, the eschatological hope for God's people is rooted in Yahweh's character as a covenant-keeping God despite the unfaithfulness of his people. There is no hope for Israel outside the provision of the Lord's covenant love. The eschatology Hosea announces to God's people communicates and interprets how Yahweh's covenant promises will be effected within their historical context. Thus, my study locates Hosea's eschatology within the divine covenant framework and from the perspective of God's progressive self-revelation in the unfolding of the history of redemption.