1 1 The word of our Father that came to Hosea son of Beeri, in the days of Judah's kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, and in the days of Israel's king Jeroboam son of Joash.
Our Father Speaks Through Hosea's Pain
2 When our Father first spoke through Hosea, our Father said, "Go, take a wife of prostitution and have children of prostitution, for the land has completely abandoned me, turning to prostitution instead of following me." a a v2 Hosea's marriage to Gomer is a living picture of our Father's covenant love for an unfaithful people. The whole book traces his heart through judgment, restraint, grief, and relentless pursuit of his children.
3 He went and took Gomer daughter of Diblaim; she conceived and bore a son.
4 And our Father said to him, "Name him Jezreel, for soon I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and end the kingdom of the house of Israel." b b v4 Jezreel means "God sows" or "God scatters" — naming both the bloodshed our Father will judge and the scattering to come. 5 And on that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.
6 She conceived again and bore a daughter. And our Father said to him, "Name her Lo-Ruhamah, for I will no longer show compassion to Israel's house, nor forgive them at all." c c v6 Lo-Ruhamah means "No Compassion" or "Not Pitied" — the name our Father gives to signal a season when his tender, gut-deep mercy is withheld. 7 But I will have mercy on the house of Judah and save them as their Father — I will not save them by bow, sword, or battle, by horses or horsemen.
8 When she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son.
9 And our Father said, "Name him Lo-Ammi, for you are not my people, and I will not be your Father." d d v9 Lo-Ammi means "Not My People" — the covenant promise "you are my people, I am your God" spoken in reverse. It is the darkest word in the book, and our Father will undo it in the very next verse.
10 The children of Israel will be as countless as the sand of the sea, beyond measure or count. Where they were told, 'You are not my people,' they will be told, 'Children of the living Father.' 11 Judah's children and Israel's children will gather together, appoint one head, and go up from the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.
