It is noted, "the vision which Isaiah the son of Amos saw, which he saw upon Judah and upon Jerusalem, in the days of Ozias, and Jehoiakim, and Ahaz, and Hezekiah, who reigned in Judah" (Isaiah 1:1). Scripture describes Uzziah as brave in battle, fond of grandeur in construction, and diligent in agriculture. The author refers to the dwellers of the city of Peter as Aravites. However, Hosea did not heed the warning of his ancestor David, who speaks, "In the end, lest thou molest" (Psalm 56:1). Fueled by pride, he arrogantly assumed the responsibilities of the high priest. It is written: "And when Hosea was strengthened, his heart was lifted up to destruction; and he offended the Lord his God, and entered into the church of the Lord to show incense over the altar of incense" (2 Chronicles 26:16). He did not choose the altar of burnt offerings, but instead performed this act within the temple. The high priest, undeterred by Hosea’s status as king, boldly admonished him. The scripture states, "Zechariah the priest came in after him, and with him the priests of the Lord, sons of the strong. And they stood against Oziah the king, and said unto him, It is not thine, Oziah, to censure the Lord with incense, but only the priest, the son of Aaron, who is sanctified to censure; depart out of the sanctuary, for thou hast departed from the Lord; and this shall not be accounted unto thee for glory from the Lord God" (2 Chronicles 26:17-18), indicating that it is God who determines the roles suitable for kings and priests. Here, priests possess a distinct privilege. Why do you disregard God's commandments? Why violate the decrees? If you seize what is not yours, you forsake what rightfully belongs to you. Yet instead of repenting, Hosea not only resisted the counsel but grew indignant, continuing his priestly duties with blatant defiance. Ultimately, instead of honor, he found disgrace. It is written: "leprosy came upon his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, upon the altar of incense" (2 Chronicles 26:19). The priests, witnessing the judgment that God inflicted upon him, forcibly expelled him from the temple, against his wishes. He faced a fate akin to that of his forefather Adam, who, in his desire to ascend to God, lost his status as God's image. Similarly, Hosea strived for the priesthood only to forfeit his kingdom, as he was confined within the chamber, unable to appear before or communicate with the people, marked by the disgrace of his sin. Joatham, his son, subsequently ascended to the throne following his father's death.
THEOSIS