Metaphysical meaning of Hoshea (mbd)
Hoshea, ho-she'-å (Heb.)--deliverance; safety; salvation; help.
a Another name for Joshua (Deut. 32:44). b A son of Elah who killed Pekah, the king of Israel, and became king in his stead (II Kings 15:30). c One of those who joined Nehemiah in sealing the covenant (Neh. 10:23).
Meta. Hoshea means "save." Joshua and Jesus are variations of the same word, along with Jah and Jehovah. "Jehovah saves." Hoshea represents the saving grace of the inner I AM, Jehovah.
In II Kings 17:2 we are told that the king by this name, Hoshea, was not so bad as his predecessors. He was weak in his faith in the power of Spirit, however, for to the militant king of Assyria he gave presents and servile obedience. This shows how one with the saving grace of the I AM within him may weaken when attacked by materiality. The secret of this weakness is disobedience. Hoshea "did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah." This "evil" is enumerated in II Kings 17:1-18 and is to be found in nearly all forms of worship. He and his people served many gods--calves, molten images, an Asherah; they set up pillars, and served Baal; in many ways they materialized the God idea. When they were reprimanded for all this they "hardened their neck"; obstinacy and self-will was their response.
History shows that all great religions were spiritual at their beginnings and became material with age. This tendency holds good in the evolution of the soul, and should be headed off by an increased devotion to Truth and the God of Spirit every time the tendency to drop into material ways of thought is observed.
This weakness of the soul for materialism is not in accordance with divine law, but pertains to a certain phase of soul evolution. The race is coming out of materialism, and the dominant thought is in that direction. Ample provision has been made for all who keep the eye of faith on the absolute good; the "gates of hell" shall not prevail against them.
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Preceding Entry: Hoshama
Following Entry: host of heaven
