FRAMEWORKS:
Hosea 1: Prophetic Children
[Preliminary
Comment: In this
first chapter we are given the historical context of Hosea's prophecies
and then we see the three children he has by a wife he was told
by God was to be an unfaithful woman [perhaps a prostitute]. He
is told to give them prophetic names that would constantly remind
the people of Israel what God thought about them. These are words
for the northern kingdom]
v.1
The
word of the Lord that came to Hosea son of Beeri during
the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings
of Judah, and during the reign of Jeroboam son
of Joash king of Israel:
[Notes:
The reigns in Judah during which Hosea prophesied:
It
was also during the reign of Jeroboam II – 2
Kings 14:23-29 – who reigned for 41 years 782/81-753 in Israel,
but co-regent previously from 793/92]
v.2-5
Hosea marries & has Jezreel (punishment for Jezreel massacre)
v.2
[Command]
When
the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, ‘Go,
marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, [Reason]
for like an adulterous wife this
land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.'
v.3
[Obedience]
So
he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore
him a son.
v.4
Then
the Lord said to Hosea, [Command
& Message] ‘Call
him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house
of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to
the kingdom of Israel.
v.5
In
that day I will break Israel's bow in the Valley of Jezreel.'
[Notes:
The prophet is instructed by God to marry a promiscuous
woman and have children with her as a picture of what it had been
like with Him having a wife like Israel [v.2]. So he does and
has a son [v.3]. He is to name him Jezreel because God is going
to punish Israel for Jehu's massacre at Jezreel – see 2 Kings
9:24 on [which as much as this had been punishment on unrighteous
rulers, was done in a godless, unrighteous attitude], and so now
He will bring an end to them [v.4].]
v.6,7
Hosea has Lo-Ruhamah (not loved)
v.6
Gomer
conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the Lord said
to Hosea, ‘Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”), for
I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive
them.
v.7
Yet
I will show love to Judah; and I will save them – not by
bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord
their God, will save them.'
[Notes:
His wife then has a daughter he has to prophetically
name ‘not loved' because the Lord has withdrawn His love from
rebellious Israel who He will not forgive because of how far they
have gone from Him [v.8]. He will however bless Judah [v.7].]
v.8-11
Hosea has Lo Ammi (not my people)
v.8
After
she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, Gomer had another son.
v.9
Then
the Lord said, ‘Call him Lo-Ammi (which means “not my people”),
for you are not my people, and I am not your God.
v.10
‘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”.
v.11
The
people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they
will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for
great will be the day of Jezreel.
[Notes:
His wife then has a second son [v.8] that he is to call
“not my people” because Israel [northern kingdom] had forsaken
the Lord so He had forsaken them and can no longer call them His
people [v.9]. And yet, reminiscent of early promises to Abraham
[Gen 22:17], He promises that Israel will yet become many people
known as children of God [v.10], an amazing hope of restoration.
But it will not end there for BOTH Judah AND Israel will one day
be brought back together to be one [v.11]. Remarkable!]
Continue
to Chapter 2