After a brief look at the conditions in Judah at the death of the worthy high priest, Jehoida, we turn our attention to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, now well on its way to downfall.

Jeroboam II brought the kingdom to its highest peak of outward splendor and prosperity. However, the character and attitudes of Jonah perfectly reflect the nation’s loss of its covenant purpose under God. Commissioned to preach repentance to Israel’s mortal enemy, Assyria, Jonah tries to escape by fleeing in the land where Jehovah is in control. Though he experiences the gracious deliverance of God in his personal plight under judgment, yet he is unwilling for God to deliver the heathen under much greater judgment. Just so, the nation has denied its call to witness to a God who is Saviour to all nations. In its darkening conscience it can only pronounce doom upon her enemies in a desperate attempt to save itself.

Jonah is a vignette of the nation. No record is left of what he prophesied to Israel. However, God has ready a powerful country preacher from the wilderness of Judah to proclaim another "day of the Lord" upon Israel. Amos denounces a nation whose state-religion is so subsidized by the court that it can offer no effective criticism or guidance (7:10-16). They have presumed upon the Covenant, corrupted the sacrificial system and brought every phase of society into scandal and decay. The mighty call of Amos goes unheeded. "But let justice roll down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream." (5:24)

If Amos is the prophet of fire and brimstone, Hosea is the messenger of love and grace. He is God’s last attempt to turn back the wicked nation from its sure doom in 722 B.C. Hosea first learns the meaning of God’s suffering love through the personal tragedy of his own family life. As he yearns and threatens, pleads and rebukes, promises and warns, he demonstrates the heart and holiness of God in dealing with a people which now has become "not my people." But beyond judgment upon the nation he sees the bright hope of victory of God’s redemptive purpose as He ransoms his faithful remnant from the grave, heals their backsliding and loves them freely.