Hosea Part 03

Hosea 2:1 continues from the previous verse. In the time of restoration—when Christ returns—Israel will be God’s people and will gain His favor and mercy (Hosea 2:23). Right now, this only applies to the Church—and the next verse explains why. Remember, “Ami” means “My people” and “Ruhamma” means “mercy is shown.”

Hosea 2:2 states 

“Bring charges against your mother, bring charges; for she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband! Let her put away her harlotries from her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts.” 

In this passage “your mother” is referring to Israel as a whole. Similar to this verse, Jeremiah 3:8 and Isaiah 50:1 both refer to God “divorcing” Israel/Judah because of “adultery” (idolatry). The phrase “between her breasts” gives a very close and intimate meaning, showing Israel’s love of idolatry.  

Hosea 2:5 lists blessings that Israel did not even realize God had given them! Verses 6-7 mentions a hedge wall, meaning contact with the real God would be cut off (Isaiah 59:2). As a result, only those called by the Father have the ability to come to Him (John 6:44). Verse 7 mentions her “first husband” which refers to Christ. Later in the book, Hosea prophesies of a restored relationship between Israel and Christ (Hosea 2:15-16,  6:2). 

“For she did not know that I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold—which they prepared for Baal. Therefore I will return and take away My grain in its time and My new wine in its season, and will take back My wool and My linen, given to cover her nakedness” (Hosea 2:8-9). 

After Israel entered the Promised Land and manna ceased, they had to rely on God to give rain and to cause the crops to grow (Joshua 5:11-12; John 6:31-55).  

In Isaiah 5:1-7 Israel was referred to as “God’s vineyard”—as church and state together, these privileges were bound together. All of these privileges have come to God’s church (Romans 11:17, “grafted in”). 

The beasts of the field referred to in Hosea 2:12 are the surrounding “nations of the earth” that ultimately took away Israel’s blessings and privileges because of transgressions.  

Hosea 2:13 refers to multiple baals, or false gods, in addition to the gold calves that Jeroboam set up. God says He will punish them for turning to false religion and for trusting in foreign alliances to protect and provide for them.  

In Hosea 2:14, “therefore” is better translated as “nevertheless,” because God will redeem Israel, but “wilderness” indicates it will be after testing and trial, such as coming through the Great Tribulation. Jeremiah 30:7 speaks of a “Time of Jacob’s trouble,” but indicates that he will be saved out of it!

Chapter 2, verses 16 and 17 show God’s deep desire to have a loving and interactive relationship with Israel and His people, not just a dominating one.

“You will call Me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer call Me ‘My Master’” (Hosea 2:16). 

This is the kind of relationship God wants with each of us too. He will take away reference to false Baals, idols and masters and will not be called that Himself (Zephaniah 3:9). Notice also, that when Jesus taught the disciples to pray in Luke 11:1-2, He told them to say, “Our Father,” and not “our master.” 

The beginning phrase in Hosea 2:18 “In that day,” indicates an end-time prophecy alluding to peace between man and wild animals and an end to instruments of war. (This is discussed further in Isaiah 11:6-8 and Isaiah 2:4). Next, in verses 19 and 20, it is clear His people will be betrothed in a future marriage covenant with God. The word for lovingkindness used in verse 19 is “hesed” which means a covenant love. This covenant relationship is talked about in the New Testament as well. 

“For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2). 

It is our job now to ready ourselves for this marriage covenant.

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7).  

The final verses of Hosea 2 have unique and prophetic meaning. It says the earth will “respond,” meaning that God will cause the earth to be productive with grain, wine and oil. God’s people will be productive of the spiritual things that these represent: 

• Grain/bread = God’s word (Matthew 4:4)
• Wine = redemption by Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20)
• Oil = the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39)  

The Valley of Jezreel is once again mentioned in verses 22 and 23. As discussed in yesterday’s lesson, it was a valley filled with destruction and the scene of scattering and bloodshed. However, restoration will be sown in Jezreel as God will “plant” His people, and will have mercy on them.

“And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’” (Hosea 2:23). 

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.