Hosea's family is a picture of the Lord's unfaithful people

1I am Hosea son of Beeri. When Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were the kings of Judah, and when Jeroboam son of Jehoash1.1 Jehoash: The Hebrew text has “Joash”, another spelling of the name. was king of Israel,1.1 kings of Judah…king of Israel: Uzziah (781-740 BC), Jotham (740-736), Ahaz (736-716), Hezekiah (716-687), and Jeroboam II (783-743). the LORD spoke this message to me.1.1: a 2 K 15.1-7; 2 Ch 26.1-23; b 2 K 15.32-38; 2 Ch 27.1-8; c 2 K 16.1-20; 2 Ch 28.1-27; d 2 K 18.1—20.21; 2 Ch 29.1—32.33; e 2 K 14.23-29.

Hosea's family

2The LORD said, “Hosea, Israel has betrayed me like an unfaithful wife.1.2 unfaithful wife: In some Canaanite religions of Old Testament times, young women were expected to have sex with the worshippers of their god before marriage. Such women were called “temple prostitutes”. Many of the Israelite women did this same thing, and Hosea is told to marry one of them to show that the nation has turned from the LORD to worship idols. Marry such a woman and have children by her.” 3So I married Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, and we had a son.

4Then the LORD said, “Hosea, name your son Jezreel,1.4 Jezreel: In Hebrew “Jezreel” means “God scatters (seed)”. Here the name is used as a threat (meaning the LORD will punish Israel by scattering its people), while in verse 11 it is used as a promise (meaning the LORD will bless Israel by giving their nation many people, just as a big harvest comes when many seeds are scattered in a field). because I will soon punish the descendants of King Jehu of Israel for the murders he committed in Jezreel Valley.1.4 murders…Valley: Jehu murdered the wife and relatives of King Ahab (see 2 Kings 9.15—10.14). I will destroy his kingdom,1.4: 2 K 10.11. 5and in Jezreel Valley I will break the power of Israel.”

6Later, Gomer had a daughter, and the LORD said, “Name her Lo-Ruhamah,1.6 Lo-Ruhamah: In Hebrew “Lo-Ruhamah” means “No Mercy”. because I will no longer have mercy and forgive Israel. 7But I am the LORD God of Judah, and I will have mercy and save Judah by my own power—not by wars and arrows or swords and cavalry.”

8After Gomer had stopped nursing Lo-Ruhamah, she had another son. 9Then the LORD said, “Name him Lo-Ammi,1.9 Lo-Ammi: In Hebrew “Lo-Ammi” means “Not My People”. because these people are not mine, and I am not their God.”

Hope for Israel

10Some day it will be impossible to count the people of Israel, because there will be as many of them as there are grains of sand along the seashore. They are now called “Not My People”, but in the future they will be called “Children of the Living God”.1.10: Ro 9.26. 11Israel and Judah will unite and choose one leader. Then they will take back their land, and this will be a great day for Jezreel.1.11 Jezreel: See the note at verse 4.