Hosea1

The book of Hosea begins with the prophet being commanded by the LORD to marry Gomer, a "wife of whoredoms," to symbolize Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness. Their three children are given symbolic names: Jezreel, foretelling judgment on Israel's kingdom; Lo-ruhamah, signifying God's withdrawal of mercy from Israel; and Lo-ammi, declaring Israel is no longer God's people. Despite these pronouncements of judgment, the chapter concludes with a promise of future restoration, where Israel will be numerous and reunited with Judah, becoming "sons of the living God."

Title and Dating

1
The worde of the Lord that came vnto Hosea the sonne of Beeri, in the daies of Vzziah, Iotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah Kings of Iudah, and in the daies of Ieroboam the sonne of Ioash king of Israel.

Hosea’s Symbolic Marriage

2
At the beginning the Lord spake by Hosea, and the Lord said vnto Hosea, Goe, take vnto thee a wife of fornications, and children of fornications: for the lande hath committed great whoredome, departing from the Lord.
3
So he went, and tooke Gomer, ye daughter of Diblaim, which conceiued and bare him a sonne.

The First Child: Jezreel (Judgment)

4
And the Lord said vnto him, Cal his name Izreel: for yet a litle, and I will visite the blood of Izreel vpon the house of Iehu, and will cause to cease the kingdome of the house of Israel.
5
And at that day will I also breake the bowe of Israel in the valley of Izreel.

The Second Child: Lo-Ruhamah (No Mercy)

6
She conceiued yet againe, and bare a daughter, and God saide vnto him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah: for I will no more haue pitie vpon the house of Israel: but I wil vtterly take them away.
7
Yet I will haue mercie vpon the house of Iudah, and wil saue them by the Lord their God, and wil not saue them by bow, nor by sword nor by battell, by horses, nor by horsemen.
8
Nowe when she had wained Lo-ruhamah, shee conceiued, and bare a sonne.

The Third Child: Lo-Ammi (Not My People)

9
Then saide God, Call his name Lo-ammi: for yee are not my people: therefore will I not be yours.

Promise of Future Restoration

10
Yet the nomber of the children of Israel shall be as the sande of the sea, which can not be measured nor tolde: and in the place where it was saide vnto them, Yee are not my people, it shall be saide vnto them, Yee are the sonnes of the liuing God.
11
Then shall the children of Iudah, and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint them selues one head, and they shall come vp out of the land: for great is the day of Izreel.
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