Read: Hosea 1
Hosea lived
in the Northern Kingdom of Israel and prophesied soon after Amos. Like Amos, Hosea condemns social injustice,
false gods and fake worship. While Amos showed little patience with Israel,
Hosea displayed a large degree of sympathy and understanding. The unique thing about Hosea is how he lived
out his message with his whole life as a prophetic act including his marriage
and the names of his children. The
message of the book is quite clear. Despite
Israel’s unfaithfulness God still loves His people and doesn’t want to punish
them for their spiritual adultery. God
repeatedly urges them to return to Him.
In the first
chapter we are introduced to Hosea’s family which symbolizes Israel’s rejection
of God. Hosea is commanded by God to marry
the prostitute Gomer (v. 2), who bore him a son named Jezreel, meaning God
scatters (v. 4). This name anticipates
God’s judgment on Israel. Gomer
conceived again and gave birth to a daughter, Lo-Ruhamah, which means no mercy
(v. 6). Her name describes God’s
attitude towards Israel. Finally, Gomer
bears another son, Lo-Ammi, whose name means not my people (v. 9). This
declares God’s rejection of Israel. Some
suggest that only the first son was the biological child of Hosea as the text
says that Gomer bore the children but says nothing about the daughter and
youngest son being Hosea’s offspring. The
concluding verses of the chapter foretell Israel’s restoration (vs.
10-11). This could be a reference to the
restoration from Assyrian and Babylonian captivity however both Paul and Peter
apply this promise to believing Jews and Gentiles in the church (Rom. 9:25-26;
1 Pet. 2:10).
Prayer and Journaling
1. God asks Hosea to marry a prostitute in order to
characterize how Israel has been unfaithful to Him. In what ways have you been unfaithful to
God?
2. What Hosea illustrates is still true today about
God. In spite of our unfaithfulness, God
still loves His children and desires for us to walk wholeheartedly with
Him. Each of us to prone to wander away
from God at times. Thank God for His love and forgiveness when we genuinely
turn to Him in repentance.
3. A promise is given in verse ten, “Yet
the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured
or counted. In the place where it
was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the
living God.’” Meditate on this passage of Scripture. Ask God to show you how these promises relate
to your relationship with Him. What does
He want to speak to you through His Word today?
