HOSEA CHAPTER 2: The Prophet’s Calling 

Read Chapter 2 

The Prophet Hosea, in chapter 2, takes his actual life and heart-wrenching experiences with Gomer and the children that he is not sure he fathered, and he preaches from that perspective.  This is exactly what YHWH wants him to do.  He is called to it.  His calling is a big deal because no one has his back… other than God.  Hosea is to plead and preach and exhort and condemn and encourage and shout at Israel to turn from their wicked adulterous ways with God and remain faithful to Him.    

He pleads that Israel turn from whoring with idols in verse 2.

He pleads with Israel to teach their children about God in verse 4.

He preaches that idols are empty in verse 7.

He shouts that YHWH has blessed Israel and no other in verse 8.

The language of chapter 2 (and much of Hosea) is familial and marriage-related wording with regards to faithfulness and unfaithfulness.  “She is not my wife and I am not her husband” in verse 2 and “I will uncover her lewdness” in verse 10 and “I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her” in verse 14 are only small examples. 

Hosea himself understands the heartbreak of a broken marriage and it is God’s will that he preaches about the relationship with Himself and Israel in these terms.  God is the husband.  Israel is the wife.  Hosea can literally and figuratively with passion speak on YHWH’s behalf.   

“She is not mine” is a central thought of this chapter and yet this does not change God.  God does not become less Himself because of our sinfulness (or Israel’s).  He is not less merciful.  He is not more wrathful.  He is Who He is when Israel is faithful and when they are unfaithful.  God does not mistreat the innocent because (verse 4) He is always gracious and just. 

The “hedge up your way” or “wall you in” in verse 6 is phrasing that makes us think about God giving them over to their sinful choices.  We think of the Parable of Prodigal Son or Romans 1 or Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians in casting someone out to deal with their sin.  God does hand His people over to sin in order to discipline them and stands on the other side with open arms.   

Also, note there is emptiness when it comes to pursuing sinfulness. 

Also, note God will expose this type of living. 

Hosea knows this will happen.  He understands that his marriage is empty and he is enduring a bit of an addiction from his wife with adultery and sex.  She returned to her sin and forgot her husband.  Hosea preaches this truth about Israel and idolatry. 

The chapter is not without hope for God is a forgiving Husband Who keeps His covenant even when we do not.  Hosea is as well, but this is played out in chapter 3.  God declares in verses 14, 16, and 21 that there will come a day when Israel will again be His people.  Verse 23 is very clear that “I will be your God and you will be My people” will again be the relationship order of the day.  Verses 19-20 are very tender with romantic language and kind theological language. 

We are reminded of Jesus accepting people in a proper love relationship and telling them to go and sin no more.  Verse 18 is new covenant talk!  Repentance is prophesied in these verses and focuses on new life.  Jesus is new life.  This is a mature relationship between people of faith and YHWH.  YHWH is God and people of faith mature into responsible relational behavior.   

The Prophet Hosea endured this sin to share God’s plan of salvation to the world. 

This proper relationship with God on the other side of sin is why God endures the junk. 

THROUGH THE LENS OF THE MESSIAH’S LIFE 

This marriage language is continued in the New Testament in the ministry of Jesus.  For example, in Matthew 9:15 Jesus clearly identifies Himself as the bridegroom. Matthew 9:15 (ESV): “And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”  This family metaphor between God (husband) and His people (wife) continues into the New Testament.   

The Prophet Hosea was called to grind through this terribleness to show God’s grace. 

We will expand on this and other New Testament passages in future posts.  There are many for Hosea’s preaching frames a relationship with God in these terms and this frame of reference is used often. 

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