In this chapter, the Lord’s first instructions to Hosea, a prophet, was to marry a prostitute to illustrate how the people of Israel have been unfaithful to God. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “The Lord gave these messages to Hosea son of Beeri during the years when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah, and Jeroboam son Jehoash was king of Israel.
Hosea’s Wife and Children
When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so some of her children will be born to you from other men. This will illustrate the way my people have been untrue to me, openly committing adultery against the Lord by worshiping other gods.” (Wow! That is some request, considering it was when God first began speaking to Hosea and he really didn’t know the Lord’s voice. I’m sure if it were me, I would be like…”This can’t be God talking to me!” LOL!)
So Hosea married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she became pregnant and gave Hosea a son. (Wow….the obedience of Hosea!) And the Lord said, “Name the child Jezreel, for I am about to punish King Jehu’s dynasty to avenge the murders he committed at Jezreel. In fact, I will put an end to Israel’s independence by breaking its military power in the Jezreel Valley.”
Soon Gomer became pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter. And the Lord said to Hosea, “Name your daughter Lo-ruhamah –’Not loved’ –for I will no longer show love to the people of Israel or forgive them. But I, the Lord their God, will show love to the people of Judah. I will personally free them from their enemies without any help from weapons or armies.”
After Gomer had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she again became pregnant and gave birth to a second son. And the Lord said, “Name him Lo-ammi – ‘Not my people’ – for Israel is not my people, and I am not their God. Yet the time will come when Israel will prosper and become a great nation. In that day its 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 under one leader, 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) (Lord, you are amazing!)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! As much as we continually reject and deny you, you remain faithful to us. Lord, you are so good to us! Thank you for continually loving us! Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.