Hosea 1
Chapter Introduction
The emotional pain and destruction that come from marital infidelity are profound and have affected our culture. How much more significant does our spiritual infidelity cause pain and destruction? God notes the broken covenant bond of Israel. They had been unfaithful in their ways, chasing other gods to love. Even then, because of God’s great mercy and love, he calls them back to Him.
Hosea 1:1-2
Uzziah, King of Judah (2 Kings 15:1-7)
- Azariah, son of Amaziah, became king of Judah when he was sixteen. His name is also translated as Uzziah. Azariah means “the Lord is my help” and Uzziah means “the Lord is my strength.”
- Uzziah reigned 52 years and did right in the sight of God. But he didn’t clear out all the high places.
- In 2 Chronicles 26 his life is summarized:
He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
- Then, in 2 Chronicles 26:16, we see his pride led him to do something crazy. He entered the temple and offered incense as if he were a priest. The priest gathered against him to correct him. As he protested against the priest, leprosy broke out on his forehead. He was a leper until his death. His son, Jotham, judged the people and then became king after his father’s death.
Jotham, King of Judah (2 Kings 15:32-38)
- Jotham became king of Judah after his father Uzziah died.
- He was 25 years old and reigned for 16 years. He did what was right in the eyes of God. His reign was characterized by following the Lord.
- 2 Chronicles 27:6 tells us:
6 So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God.
- Jotham became mighty in defeating the Ammonites. They paid tribute to him and increased the wealth of the southern kingdom. The northern Kingdom and Syria were coming against Judah and Jotham’s army these days.
Ahaz, King of Judah (2 Kings 16:1-20)
- Ahaz became king when Jotham, his father, died.
- He was 20 years old and reigned for 16 years. He did evil in a way that was comparable to the kings of Israel. His reign was nothing like that of David but was characterized by pagan worship, apostasy, and wickedness.
- He passed his son through the fire, which was a sacrifice to Molech, the Moabite god.
- Syria and Israel had come together to war against Judah. During this time, Ahaz went to Tiglath-Pileser, the king of Assyria, seeking help from him. He put Judah in subjection to Assyria – in a sense, surrendering to them without a fight.
- Instead of going to the temple and seeking the Lord, Ahaz went to steal the temple silver & gold for a gift to Assyria. The Assyrian army went up against Damascus and captured it. They carried the people off to exile.
- Ahaz desecrated the temple with his modernizations.
Hezekiah, King of Judah (2 Kings 18:1-9)
- Hezekiah became king when he was 25 years old and reigned 29 years.
- He started his reign in the 3rd year of Hoshea’s nine-year reign in Israel. Hoshea, king of Israel, had the Assyrians breathing down his neck and paid tribute to them as he tried to make deals with Egypt. Hezekiah saw all this happening to the north of him
- Hezekiah did right in the sight of the Lord as measured against the standard of King David. He did not compromise in the ways of the Lord.
- He removed all the places of false worship or worship of other gods.
- He broke down the Asherah and got rid of idols.
- He even broke the bronze serpent that Moses had made (called Nehushtan).
- Hezekiah held fast to the Lord and was loyal in difficult circumstances.
- Hezekiah ruled when the Assyrians began to conquer Judah He heard Isaiah’s prophesy from God and saw the Lord protect Jerusalem, slaughter many Assyrians and seend the rest home.
Jereboam II, King of Israel (2 Kings 14:23-29)
- Jereboam II became king at 41 years old.
- He did evil in the sight of the Lord, but the Lord used him to restore Israel so they wouldn’t be wiped out. Syria greatly oppressed them, and God was merciful to bring relief.
- Jereboam was the epitome of evil. Even then, God used him.
- There was a time of economic and political prosperity for the kingdom during his days. However, the spiritual and moral decay reached new depths. They enjoyed great prosperity but were far from the Lord.
While Hosea’s ministry was to the northern kingdom, there is some thought that his mention of the southern kings was to legitimize the Davidic Kingdom. It's worth noting that the Southern kingdom included all tribes – the people who worshiped Yahweh went south. The idol worshippers went north.
The ministry of Hosea started towards the end of Jereboam II's forty-year reign, during very prosperous times. People would say they were better off at the end of his reign than at the beginning. However, the six kings that followed Jereboam experienced the fallout from years of moral and spiritual decay.
Hosea 1:3-5
Hosea married Gomer as directed by the Lord. Gomer means “complete,” as in a complete measure of idolatry. It is possible that God foretold that she would be unfaithful, not that she was immoral prior to marriage. However, the simple meaning is that she was a prostitute already. Either way, she was the model God would use to teach about the Israelites. Here, marital unfaithfulness was the perfect model for the unfaithfulness of Israel towards their God.
Hosea and Gomer had a son named Jezreel because God would break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel and take vengeance against Jehu. In 2 Kings 10:30-31, we see God deal with Jehu. His zeal was great, and the Lord used him extensively, but he didn’t walk with the Lord. God promised him four generations on the throne. Jereboam II was the third king; his son Zechariah was on the throne for only six months before being assassinated.
God brought His word to the nation through Hosea’s family. Jezreel means scatter or sow. This could be taken as sown into the land as a good thing or scattered to the wind as a bad thing. Obviously, in this original context, it was scattered.
Every time Jezreel was called by his parents or others, it was a reminder of God’s message to Israel. Jezreel was a walking prophecy of God.
For more on idolatry as infidelity, see Deuteronomy 32; Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 5.
Hosea 1:6-7
Gomer gave birth to a daughter named Lo-Ruhamah. The name comes from a root word meaning tender care and affection, but the name is the rejection of those things. The name means not pitied or unloved.
God would no longer show mercy to Israel. His patience had run out after their repeated rejection of Him. He would then reject them. God would utterly take them away. By the end of Hosea’s prophetic ministry, the northern kingdom would have fallen to Assyria. Judah, however, would be saved by the Lord their God. However, their salvation would not come from an army.
Hosea 1:8-9
Then Hosea and Gomer had Lo-ammi. The name means “not my people.” In a clear revoking of the covenant relationship, He said they wouldn’t be his people and He wouldn’t be their God.
I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord.’ ” 9 So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage. (Exodus 6:7-9)
He would no longer be “I AM” to them. The original covenant was that He would be their God and they would be His people. This isn’t God’s punishment. This was the decision of the people. God was acknowledging what was already done. This was the heart of the people.
Meet Hosea’s family:
- Gomer, complete in her idolatry and harlotry.
- Jezreel, to show they’d be scattered.
- Lo-ruhamah, unoloved and without mercy.
- Lo-ammi, meaning not my people.
When they called their kids names, it was a call to Israel and a reminder of their own rejection of God. If the kids were playing in the neighborhood and Gomer called them to come home for dinner, it was, “Scattered, Unloved, Not mine, it’s dinner time!”
Hosea 1:10-2:1
Despite this rejection and the end of mercy, God would not wipe out His people. Despite all they had done, God says there will come a time when they will be numbered beyond measure and reunited under one head. This is the regathering of all the tribes under their Messiah. This will happen on a great day at Jezreel. It’s worth noting that the valley of Jezreel is also Megiddo, or the site of Armageddon.
Then, there would be a reversal, and the covenant relationship would be restored. “My people” is the word Ammi – the same used in the son’s name. A day was coming when they would again be God’s people.
Likewise, “Mercy is shown” is the word Ruhamah, a reverse of the daughter’s name. The unloved would be loved and shown mercy.
See also Jeremiah 29:11-14; 31:31-40; Ezekiel 11:16-21. This is a specific promise that Israel will be restored.
The Big Idea
Imagine the injury to the Almighty when His creation give glory to another. Imagine from a human standpoint if your children gave thanks to the neighbors for the provision, sacrifice, and love you gave to them.
Many people call themselves “Christians,” but few live it out. They identify themselves when they quickly prioritize God out of their lives to make room for what’s important to us.
©2006 Doug Ford; Further Study and Revision 2016, 2025
Hosea 2
Chapter Introduction
The unfaithful would be chastised. God would attempt to draw them back from the Valley of Trouble (Achor).
Hosea 2:1
This verse belonged to the previous chapter.
Hosea 2:2-5
Hosea experienced firsthand the unfaithfulness of an adulterous wife. There was at least some idea that she was married to Hosea, but she was unfaithful in her harlotries. She had lovers, and when she bore children, she wasn’t sure who the father was. For whatever reason, she didn’t part from that life after her marriage. In her mind, she may have justified it, convinced herself that she had no choice but to return to this life and that Hosea either wouldn’t care or wasn’t paying attention.
She enjoyed or felt like she deserved the gifts and provisions from her lovers. We look at this unfaithful wife who shamed herself, her children, and her husband. It was a self-destructive life with no good outcome. We might well conclude that whatever happened to her, she deserved, and that isn’t far from the truth.
Gomer was the perfect picture of Israel. They had committed spiritual harlotry in being completely unfaithful to God. By covenant, they were His people, but they determined themselves to “not be His people.” They acted as if God wouldn’t notice or care. They justified their harlotry in many ways so they could enjoy the gifts and provisions of their lovers.
Their lovers were the Canaanite idols they worshiped. They praised the baals for their bread and water, wool, linen, oil, and drink instead of praising Yahweh. They had believed the lie of the Canaanites.
Israel would be punished as an adulterous wife. The sins of the nation are held against the people who make up the nation. They were children of harlotry. Before we draw a conclusion about Gomer and Israel, we should look at our nation. Has not our nation parted from God? Have we not declared that we are no longer God’s people? Have we not chased after other Gods, all the while enjoying the gifts and provisions that come from the harlotry and justifying our departure from God in various ways? And if the judgment of an adulterous nation falls to the children of her harlotry, are we not standing before a jealous God? Imagine our land, our country, stripped bare, parched and barren.
Read Ezekiel 16:15-58.
Hosea 2:6-8
We see the pride of the adulterous wife. She wants to rely on her lovers to give her the things that keep her comfortable. God said He would wall her in so she can’t find them. As she desperately tried to fight her way through the wall of thorns to her lovers, she failed to notice that God had multiplied the grain, new wine, oil, gold, and silver. It was always Him. She never acknowledged that God had given her all that she had.
When she became uncomfortable, she decided to return.
Hosea 2:9-13
God then removed His blessings. We should notice that the Lord specifically calls them “My” blessings because they were attributing their blessings to other gods. Yahweh would no longer allow Israel to be a wife at her convenience or just for the benefits that came with it. She couldn’t run home because there was no better deal that day. That’s not faithfulness.
We see this same thing today. A general lack of faithfulness and willingness to grow close to God in a thriving and abiding relationship exists. It is prevalent for our culture to pursue the things that are pleasing to our eyes and flesh and only run to God when the bottom drops out or we are in trouble.
So many times throughout history, we see that mankind was inclined to pursue what was right in their own eyes. Does that describe us? We tend to justify our ways and have a firm grasp on the things of the world. It seems we’ve forgotten God. What made this nation great? Was it business, money, affluence, jobs, politics, or American ingenuity? Democracy? Or were all things part of one nation under God?
She said those were the wages of her harlotry – the gifts from her lovers. But they were always blessings from the Living God. He would no longer allow her to be unfaithful. He would punish.
God promised to take back the gifts he gave Israel because they forgot Him. How can our nation feel comfortable in our affluence when we’ve forgotten God? The gifts this nation once enjoyed are being slowly stripped away. Judgment is coming soon.
Hosea 2:14-15
God would allure her, woo her back. God, in His way, would persuade this harlot of a nation to return to Him. It’s a picture of God’s perfect love. It never fails. Despite all they’d done and what they really deserved, God continued to persuade them to return to him.
He doesn’t simply want the attention of His people. He doesn’t need us to acknowledge Him as God. He doesn’t want our religious practices. He wants our heart! He wants a relationship that happens in every part of every day.
Hosea 2:16-23
On that day, they won’t call him Master but will call him Husband. It won’t be a servant/master relationship but a relationship of devotion and love. He would make a covenant for them – a new covenant through the Messiah (Jeremiah 31:31).
I can’t help but see a reference to the church being the bride of Christ. When Christ rules, it will be a perfect reign in justice and truth. The betrothel will be one of faithfulness. The redemption will be complete on that day. These virtues belong to God and will always be part of having a relationship with Him. This is seen throughout the scriptures: righteousness, justice, lovingkindness, mercy, and faithfulness. (Exodus 34:6; Psalms 33:5; 86:15; 89:14; Jeremiah 9:24).
In the restored covenant relationship, God brought blessings. Initially, Jezreel was seen as scattering. The earth answered with blessings, and heaven answered with “Jezreel.” This is the idea of sowing, fruitfulness, and abundant provision. Remember, Jezreel was the first child of Gomer and Hosea.
God will have mercy. The word is Ruhamah, a reversal of the days when He would not have mercy.
Those who were not His people will return, and He will say, “You are My people!” This is Lo-Ammi will be Ammi – My people.
Their response is their expression of love for God the Father. They will have a relationship of faithfulness, loyalty, and devotion.
See Romans 9:25-26.
The Big Idea
Exchanging the relationship with God for the service of the world or harlotry with other gods will never end well. He is a jealous God and will maintain a remnant for His glory. In the end, they will be His people and He will be their God.
©2006 Doug Ford; Further Study and Revision 2016, 2025
Hosea 3
Chapter Introduction
Imagine God commanding you to take back your unfaithful spouse, especially when they are utterly unrepentant. This symbolic act is God displaying his dealings with unfaithful and unrepentant Israel. He would take her back with conditions.
Hosea 3:1
Hosea was to go and love an adulterous woman. Though it doesn’t say, the pattern demands this to be Gomer. The implication is that she is living as the wife of another man. The raisin cakes of the pagans were food offerings for pagan gods. Jeremiah wrote of those who worshipped the queen of heaven with cakes in 44:19.
God detailed that this was just like Israel, his wife, being unfaithful. God would take her and love her again. This love is an act of will, not feelings or emotions. She didn’t deserve love, and Hosea would not feel like extending his love. This is the agape love of God towards his children that we can hardly understand.
The message is clear: Hosea was to redeem Gomer as the Lord would redeem Israel.
Hosea 3:2-3
Gomer appeared to be trapped in slavery due to a debt. Hosea redeemed her with fifteen shekels of silver and some barley, with a total value of around thirty shekels, equal to the compensation for the loss of a slave. Hosea purchased her on conditions of indefinite faithfulness.
Hosea 3:4-5
The conditions of return included a lengthy period of abstinence, pictured as the children of Israel living in exile with no king and no sacrifices. However, there would be a time when they would return and seek the Lord and David, their king. This looked both at their return to the land and the later days when the Messiah came.
In the last days, they will come trembling to the Lord and to His blessings. The first time they were removed from the land was 430 years in Egypt and then again 70 years in Babylon. The number of days is not determined.
The Big Idea
Israel broke covenants that brought them under judgment. They broke the covenant and lost their land for a time. However, the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New covenants are irrevocable promises of God (unilateral covenants). God is not done, nor will He ever be done, with Israel.
©2006 DOUG FORD; FURTHER STUDY AND REVISION 2016, 2025
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