Hosea 1:1-11
Q.1. When did Hosea minister? Why was the prophet called to marry a harlot? What was God’s message to Israel and Judah through the naming of his children? – (Hos.1:1-9)
Hosea ministered during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah, and Jeroboam II of Israel. He addressed the northern and southern kingdoms jointly sometimes, while at other times separately. He was ordered to marry a harlot, in order to underscore Israel’s unfaithfulness to the Covenant, and also to display God’s unending love for His people. God’s message to the northern kingdom of Israel was one of condemnation. Jezreel had been the place where the wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel built their palace and had plotted to take the family inheritance of Naboth. It was the place where wicked Jezebel met her death. By contrast, God’s message to the southern kingdom of Judah was a message of hope – But I will have compassion on the house of Judah and deliver them by the Lord their God, and will not deliver them by bow, sword, battle, horses or horsemen.” (Hos.1:7). The children of the prophet were a living record of the impending doom of Israel, and of God’s removal of Israel from the land – And the Lord said, “Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not My people and I am not your God.” (Hos.1:9).
Q.2. What do we learn about role of the prophets in the naming of his children? What unexpected blessing would flow to the nation in future days? (Hos.1:4-11)
We learn that prophets were both ‘forth-tellers’ and preachers, as well as ‘fore-tellers’, giving predictive messages. This revealed that God often has a greater purpose for our marriage, than is our limited motivation. Though the immediate future of God’s people was bleak, Hosea was to share a message of hope – 10 Yet the number of the sons of Israel Will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered; and in the place where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” it will be said to them, “You are the sons of the living God.” 11 And the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel will be gathered together … (Hos.1:10-11). As always, God gives us so much more than we deserve.