This is really interesting—I’m looking more deeply into the lives of these Old Testament prophets like I never did before. I’m learning alongside of you:) And as I read, I’m finding that there are way too many historical details to mention them all here, but I will try to give you a fair summary. It would be in your best interest to open to these Minor Prophet Books, and read them yourselves when you can. You’ll learn so much!
Again, the main message of the Book of Hosea is that judgment was sure to come for living in total disregard for God and fellow humans. Israel’s last six kings were especially wicked; they promoted heavy taxes, oppression of the poor, idol worship, etc. The people of Israel had sinned against God, as an adulterous woman is unfaithful to her husband. So out of obedience to God, Hosea marries a prostitute named Gomer and she bore him three children. I want you to get this… the key to this part of the story is found in the names God chose for Hosea’s children, which shows God’s reaction to Israel’s unfaithfulness.
These are the three names: (1) Jezreel –“I will bring an end to Israel’s independence. I will break its military power in the Jezreel Valley.” Hosea 1: 4-5 (2) Lo-ruhamah –‘Not Loved.’—“For I will no longer show love to the people of Israel or forgive them.” Hosea 1: 6 (3) Lo-ammi—‘Not my people’—“For Israel is not my people, and I am not their God.” Hosea 1: 9
Prophecy… it’s amazing! God’s warnings in Deuteronomy 28:15-68 were beginning to come true: Israel was abandoning God, and in turn, He was leaving them alone and without His blessing. The end of Chapter One carries words of restoration. Pay attention to the three names…
“Yet the time will come when Israel’s people will be like the sands of the seashore—too many to count! Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said, ‘You are children of the living God.’ Then the people of Judah and Israel will unite together. They will choose one leader for themselves, and they will return from exile together. What a day that will be—the day of Jezreel—when God will again plant His people in His land. In that day, you will call your brothers Ammi—‘My people.’ And you will call your sisters Ruhamah—‘The ones I love.’ Hosea 1: 10-11, 2: 1
I think that’s enough to take in for one day. And we’re only at the end of Chapter One! The Book of Hosea has fourteen chapters! More to come……
