Hosea 1

Whoredom means prostitution or promiscuity. Jezreel is a “reminder” name from 1 Kings 21. Naboth, who owned the vineyard that King Ahab reaallly wanted, was a Jezreelite. It was also a prophetic name for God’s vengeance, spoke of by Elijah. The second baby born was Lo-ruhama, no mercy. The 3rd baby was Lo-Ammi, not my people. Names, which meant so much in this culture, were used as a warning. The warnings were for Israel, not Judah.

Hosea is commanded By God to marry a prostitute. God uses Hosea’s marriage to help the prophet truly understand, and relay to the people, the relationship status between God and His covenanted people. Remember in 1st Kings when the tribe of Israel broke into two parts, North and South, Israel and Judah? God is keeping His promise with Judah but not Israel. This doesn’t make God a promise breaker, because the book ends with the promise. A time when the people, who are now called “not my people”in the valley of Jezreel, will be called, once again, The children of the Living God. (Side note-Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, is in the northern part of the Valley of Jezreel )

This chapter changes me by showing some of God’s attributes working together in sync. In the first part, He is wrathful—He hates all unrighteousness. Next, He is just—He cannot over-punish or under-punish. He is sovereign—completely in control. But lastly, He is faithful—He always keeps His covenant. Although He knew the physical tribe of Israel had long since left His ways, He knew that there would be a remnant of them in the spiritual tribe of Israel, His Church, who would be faithful to the end. Knowing His plan for His church makes me want to be faithful to His calling.