Bible Commentaries
Hosea 1

Verses 1-3

An innocent husband and an immoral wife -- Hos_1:1-3 : Hosea spoke with the authority of God. The book begins powerfully with the words, "The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea." This is not man's message; it is a message from God. God gave Hosea an object lesson that made it possible for him to preach to Israel concerning God's feelings about their unfaithfulness. God told Hosea to take a wife from among prostitutes. Sadly, like Israel in her relationship with God, Gomer, Hosea's wife did not remain faithful to him after their marriage. Israel's love for other gods and for idols was often pictured as spiritual adultery.

Hosea's life must have been very difficult. The way Israel was acting toward God was a grief to his heart; therefore his preaching was very unpopular among the people. He also had to deal with the challenge of an unfaithful wife. The Northern Kingdom was about to be destroyed because of their many other forms of idolatry and fornication.

The name "Hoses" means Salvation. By the word of the Lord He brought salvation to Israel if they would only listen. Hosea's "wife of whoredoms" and her unfaithfulness pictured the "House of Israel" and their ungodly way of life. Instead of worshipping God's way Israel had fallen into all forms of idolatry. God ordered Hosea to go and marry "a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD." Hosea was a great servant of God. He went and did exactly as God commanded.

Verses 4-5

A son named Jezreel -- Hos_1:4-5 : Concerning the first son that was born God told Hosea, "Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel." It was at Jezreel that Jezebel was killed and there Ahab's dynasty ended.

The day of destruction for the nation of Israel was certain. They continued to reject God mercy and grace. They refused His worship so only doom awaited. Their "Bow" was broken just as God said it would be. The "House of Israel" was dismantled. God used the Assyrian's to wipe out these rebellious people. A lake of repentance in Israel led to there being no hope for the nation.

Verses 6-8

A daughter named Loruhamah -- Hos_1:6-8 : When Gomer conceived a second time she bore a daughter, God told Hosea to call her name "Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away." This child pictured very vividly the total fall of the nation of Israel. When God's grace is taken away nations fall. God's judgment came without mercy upon Israel. In contrast God said, "But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, or by sword, or by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen."

The name "Loruhamah" means "not compassionate", or "not beloved." The house of Israel did not obtain mercy from God. In 722 B.C. the Assyrian nation defeated the nation of Israel. The "house of Israel" was completely dismantled. They were so scattered they forgot who they were as a nation. Israel and Judah were dealt with in a separate way. While God had "No mercy" (Loruhamah) on Israel he would show mercy to Judah. How sad to perish without the mercy of God!

Verses 9-11

A son named Loammi -- Hos_1:9-11 : The third child that was born was a son named "Loammi." God named these children and the reason that He named this son Loammi was "for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God." In the last verses of this chapter God disclaims any ownership of Israel. "Through these three children, God has sent His message to Israel; "Jezreel" means, God will cease the Kingdom of Israel, "LoRuhamah" means , God will not have compassion on their people; and "LoAmmi" means, you are not my people."

God had chosen the Jews to be His people above all people. He has blessed and protected them. Sadly, in spite of all the ways God blessed Israel they did not serve and worship Him. They did not respond to the many ways God blessed them. Though Israel would be rejected there would come a time when the "children of Israel shall be as the sand." This refers to Pentecost and the time of the gospel when many would come to the one Lord. In the present day the term Israel of God not only refers to the Jews but also to a great number of Gentiles. That is how Paul applied the words of Hosea in Rom_9:24-26 . Thus the numbers of the true Israel of God, both Jews and Gentiles, will be as the sand of the sea. All throughout the world people that had not been the people of God can now, by the procession of conversion, be called "the sons of the living God."

The Israel of God is gathered together in one body, the church. Jews and Gentiles are made one in this body. They are gathered in one Lord Jesus Christ. In the Christian age Gentiles, the children of Israel and the children of Judah join together in seeking the Lord our God. The day of Jezreel may be taken as a time of great comfort, joy, and happiness. The entire Gospel dispensation may be called the day of Jezreel, or the day of salvation. Those in the kingdom of Christ are blessed with great peace and spiritual prosperity; great love and unity.

Today is the day when we should seriously consider God's judgment against the wicked. Will you not receive Christ as your Lord and Savior this day? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel ( Rom_10:17 ), believe in Jesus ( Joh_8:24 ), repent of sins ( Act_17:30 ), confess Christ as Lord ( Act_8:37 ), and be baptized in order to be saved. ( 1Pe_3:21 ) After baptism worship and serve God according to His truth!