Hosea

Hosea and his message were around well before Judah's exile, during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, which means he was a contemporary of Isaiah. God really was trying to get his message through, given he had two prophets speaking for him during the same time.

Hosea's life was a role play. God told him to marry someone, who would seem to be unfaithful, to represent Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Even her children were named to represent messages from God - "Jezreel" represented imminent punishment, "Lo-Ruhamah" represented God withdrawing his mercy and "Lo-Ammi" represented Israel not being his.

The message, of course, we've heard before. The priests are not following God and are abusing their positions. Israel is proud. But in the midst, we see glimpses of what God wants from us. 6:6 - "I'd rather for you to be faithful and know me than to offer sacrifices." 12:6 - "So return to your God. Patiently trust him and show love and justice."

Hosea was a different prophet, with different methods, saying the same thing to Israel - God desperately wanted to be in relationship with them. All they had to do was turn from their ways and turn to him.