Hosea

Superscription

1:11 This is the word of the LORD which was revealed to Hosea2 son of Beeri during the time when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah ruled Judah,3 and during the time when Jeroboam son of Joash4 ruled Israel.5

Symbols of Sin and Judgment: The Prostitute and Her Children

1:2 When the LORD first spoke6 through7 Hosea, he8 said to him,9 "Go marry10 a prostitute11 who will bear illegitimate children conceived through prostitution,12 because the nation13 continually commits spiritual prostitution14 by turning away from15 the LORD." 1:3 So Hosea married16 Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim. Then she conceived and gave birth to a son for him. 1:4 Then the LORD said to him, "Name him `Jezreel,' because in a little while I will punish17 the dynasty18 of Jehu on account of the bloodshed19 in the valley of Jezreel,20 and I will put an end to the kingdom21 of Israel.22 1:5 At that time,23 I will destroy the military power24 of Israel in the valley of Jezreel."

1:6 She conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the LORD25 said to him, "Name her `No Pity' (Lo-Ruhamah) because I will no longer have pity26 on the nation27 of Israel. For28 I will certainly not forgive29 their guilt.30 1:7 But I will have pity on the nation31 of Judah.32 I will deliver them by the LORD their God; I will not deliver them by the warrior's bow, by sword, by military victory,33 by chariot horses, or by chariots."34

1:8 When35 she had weaned `No Pity' (Lo-Ruhamah) she conceived again and gave birth to another son. 1:9 Then the LORD36 said: "Name him `Not My People' (Lo-Ammi), because you37 are not my people and I am not your38 God."39

The Restoration of Israel

1:10 (2:1)1 However,2 in the future the number of the people3 of Israel will be like the sand of the sea which can be neither measured nor numbered. Although4 it was said to them, "You are not my people," it will be said to them, "You are5 children6 of the living God!" 1:11 Then the people7 of Judah and the people of Israel will be gathered together. They will appoint for themselves one leader,8 and will flourish in the land.9 Certainly,10 the day of Jezreel will be great! 2:1Then you will call11 your12 brother, "My People" (Ammi)! You will call your sister, "Pity" (Ruhamah)!

Idolatrous Israel Will Be Punished Like a Prostitute

The LORD's Discipline Will Bring Israel Back

Agricultural Fertility Withdrawn from Israel

Future Repentance and Restoration of Israel

New Covenant Relationship with Repentant Israel

Agricultural Fertility Restored to the Repentant Nation

An Illustration of God's Love for Idolatrous Israel

3:1The LORD said to me, "Go, show love to1 your wife2 again, even though she loves3 another man4 and continually commits adultery.5 Likewise, the LORD loves6 the Israelites7 although they turn to other gods and love to offer raisin cakes to idols."8 3:2 So I paid fifteen shekels of silver and about seven bushels of barley9 to purchase her. 3:3 Then I told her, "You must live with me many days; you must not commit adultery or have sexual intercourse with10 another man, and I also will wait for you." 3:4 For the Israelites11 must live many days without a king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred fertility pillar, without ephod or idols. 3:5 Afterward, the Israelites will turn and seek the LORD their God and their Davidic king.12 Then they will submit to the LORD in fear and receive his blessings13 in the future.14

The LORD's Covenant Lawsuit against the Nation Israel

The LORD's Dispute against the Sinful Priesthood

Judgment of Pagan Idolatry and Cultic Prostitution

Warning to Judah: Do Not Join in Israel's Apostasy!

The Shameful Sinners Will Be Brought to Shame

Announcement of Sin and Judgment

The Futility of Sacrificial Ritual without Moral Obedience

The Prophet's Declaration of Judgment

The Oppressors of the Helpless Will Be Oppressed

The Curse of the Incurable Wound

The Lion Will Carry Israel Off Into Exile

Superficial Repentance Breeds False Assurance of God's Forgiveness

Transitory Faithfulness and Imminent Judgment

Indictments Against the Cities of Israel and Judah

If Israel Would Repent of Sin, God Would Relent of Judgment

Political Intrigue and Conspiracy in the Palace

Israel Lacks Discernment and Refuses to Repent

Israel Turns to Assyria and Egypt for Help

Israel Has Turned Away from the LORD

God Will Raise Up the Assyrians to Attack Israel

The Political and Cultic Sin of Israel

The Fertility Cultists Will Become Infertile

The Willful Donkey and the Wanton Harlot

Sacrifices Ineffective without Moral Obedience

Fertility Cult Festivals Have Intoxicated Israel

Assyrian Exile Will Reverse the Egyptian Exodus

No Escape for the Israelites This Time!

Israel Rejects Hosea's Prophetic Exhortations

The Best of Times, the Worst of Times

The Fertility Worshipers Will Become Infertile

Israel is Guilty of Fertility Cult Worship

The LORD Will Punish Israel by Removing its Kings

The Calf Idol and Idolaters of Samaria Will Be Exiled

Failure to Learn from the Sin and Judgment of Gibeah

Fertility Imagery: Plowing, Sowing, and Reaping

Bethel Will Be Destroyed Like Beth Arbel

Reversal of the Exodus: Return to Egypt and Exile in Assyria

The Divine Dilemma: Judgment or Mercy?

God Will Restore the Exiles to Israel

God's Lawsuit against Israel: Breach of Covenant

Israel Must Return to the God of Jacob

The LORD Refutes Israel's False Claim of Innocence

Jacob in Aram, Israel in Egypt, and Ephraim in Trouble

Baal Worshipers and Calf Worshipers to be Destroyed

Well-Fed Israel Will Be Fed to Wild Animals

Israel's King Unable to Deliver the Nation

Israel's Punishment Will Not Be Withheld Much Longer

The LORD Will Not Relent from the Threatened Judgment

The Capital City of the Northern Empire Will Be Destroyed

Prophetic Call to Genuine Repentance

Divine Promise to Relent from Judgment and to Restore Blessings

Concluding Exhortation