Hosea 1:1-11
The prophecy of Hosea, contemporary with Isaiah, takes us back to the times of the second Book of Kings, before the captivity of Israel and Judah. It is mainly addressed to the ten tribes (often called by the name of Ephraim, their head), who lapsed into idolatry more quickly than Judah. Defiled by their idols, unfaithful to the covenant with their God, Israel is represented by the impure woman the prophet is called upon to take for his wife. Even the names given to his children signify condemnation (cf. Isaiah 8:1-4). Let us keep in mind that the expressions to commit whoredom", or "fornication", in these chapters means to turn away from God and to be joined to idols. Israel have themselves broken the links uniting them with the LORD. Nevertheless v. 10, quoted by Paul in Romans, teaches us that Israel’s transgression has had an unexpected and marvellous result: believers "not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles" are henceforth called "children of the living God" (Romans 9:24-26). This living God becomes a Father. The sentence "Lo-ammi" (not my people) pronounced on guilty Israel is followed by the call of a heavenly people, a family, enjoying with their God and Father an indissoluble relationship, which not even our sins can destroy (1 Peter 2:10).