Hosea was the prophet of the love of God to the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel during the divided kingdom. The people of Israel had turned away from God and worshiped idols --spiritual adultery. Hosea married a prostitute and loved her unconditionally as a living illustration of God's love. Because of Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness, these ten tribes would never be heard of again, yet Hosea prophesied their spiritual return to God one day.