Hosea Part 02

In Hosea 1:2-3 the whole point of God telling Hosea to “take yourself a wife of harlotry” is to typify Israel committing adultery against God with false gods. It is their idolatry symbolized by adultery. Most scholars believe Gomer already was a prostitute (not previously married) so she was probably quite surprised when a prophet asked her to marry him! It is interesting to note that the whole analogy matches Ezekiel 16 except saying that Israel was chaste when it married God. Ezekiel 16 refers to Judah as a ‘faithless wife.’ God had taken the nation from an infant that was rejected and abandoned to a beautiful bride that all were envious of. She then looked to other ‘husbands’ or gods and was a faithless wife.  

Hosea’s relationship with his wife Gomer produces children. The Lord named the children specific names that promoted a message to the nation. 

In Hosea 1:4 the Lord names Hosea’s first son. Jezreel means “God scatters” or “God sows,” referring to broad planting. God can sow destruction or restoration, but here, He sows destruction first. Jezreel was a valley in Israel where Jehu killed King Ahab and his family (as prophesied by God). However, Jehu went way beyond what God had intended and shed a lot of innocent blood in Jezreel (2 Kings 9:26-10:11). Because Jehu eliminated Ahab’s family and temporarily stopped Baal-worship, God promised Jehu’s family that they would rule for four generations. This was the current dynasty when Hosea prophesied. 

The kingdom of the House of Israel did cease, but the people of Israel did NOT cease. They stayed together and would become other “nations.” Unlike Judah, they were NOT brought back to Palestine. 

In verse 5 God says He will “break the bow of Israel,” meaning he will destroy their military power.  

In the next passage, the Lord names Hosea’s daughter. The name ‘Lo Ruhamah’ means “not pitied,” “not beloved,” or “not having obtained mercy.” This makes it clear that no portion of Israel was left behind. Then, in verse 7 the parenthetical statement shows that God would treat Judah differently. God allowed them to survive Assyria’s attack and to continue as a nation while Israel was taken captive. 

In verse 8 the Lord names Hosea’s second son. ‘Lo Ammi’ means “not my people.” When they went into captivity, the people of the northern tribes ceased being the people God was working with but that didn’t change God’s overall plan that does still include all Israel, as explained in verse 10. We understand that several other prophesies show that Israel will be restored and will multiply during the millennium. (See Isaiah 49:14-23, Isaiah 10:22-23, Jeremiah 31:7-9, Jeremiah 31:31-34) 

This passage in Hosea 1:10 is quoted twice in the New Testament by Paul and Peter. In Romans chapters 9-11 we are shown how to become “Ami,” God’s people. Romans 9:6-25 shows that a remnant of Israel are God’s people by being in the Church (God’s people by calling/election) rather than by inheritance. Those who are called and repentant now, are the “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). 

Galatians 3:7 says,

“Those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.”

Galatians 3:29 explains,

“If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” 

Furthermore, Romans 10:19 explains that “those who are not a nation” are miscellaneous people called by God and formed into a spiritual nation including both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 10:12). Romans 11 shows that Israel is not excluded, but they are part of the Church by being called and by accepting Christ’s sacrifice, not by simply being born Israelites! They are “grafted in” (Romans 11:18-24), but grafted to Jesus Christ, rather than to physical Israel (John 15:1-8, Jesus is the vine and we are all branches). Therefore, Israelites must become Christians, not the other way around!  

The lesser fulfillment of Hosea 1:10 (and of 1 Peter 2:9 and Romans 9: 24) is in Israel’s physical restoration in the millennium (though it is a fulfillment of prophecy). The greater fulfillment is explained by Paul in Romans 9:24-26 where he explains that before being called and baptized, members of the Church were not a physical nation, but a spiritual one, grafted to the vine that is Christ.

1 Peter 2:9-11 says, 

“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people . . . who once were not a people but are now the people of God . . . as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts.” 

Hosea 1:11 shows the ultimate fulfillment of the physical covenant with Israel—it will happen when Christ rules and they are converted!

“Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and appoint for themselves one head; and they shall come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel!” 

Where this prophecy began with destruction, God will then sow restoration. Through this message we learn how God thinks. He is upset at sin and yet He wants a restored relationship with a faithful people.  

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.