A Letter to Repentance: Hosea 1:1-2:1

I. Introduction

A. One of my favorite hobbies is soccer.

a. I loved playing until I was 18.

b. I had issues with the sport, which had evolved, too.

c. When I began to question what had happened.

d. Ultimately, I lost my competitive edge in the sport.

e. I started to hate practicing and hated going to games.

f. I ended up hating the sport.

B. Consequently, God had saved me a year earlier.

C. Looking back, I can tell you that I had an unhealthy obsession with sport.

D. When I look at the sport, which I began to love again after a year of not playing.

E. To the world, soccer or football is not a sport but a religion.

F. It doesn’t matter if you like your favorite sport; soccer has the most passionate fans, and it's not even close.

G. It has its theological statements that I heard while invested in the sport: “You can change your wife, politics, and religion, but you never change your favorite football team.”

H. FCF: What Idols have distracted you from Jesus?

I. Idolatry can be traced back to the Garden of Eden, with the Idol of Self, called pride.

J. The divided kingdom of Israel and Judah were plagued with false gods and worship of artificial objects.

K. Main Idea: We must never promote anything to be above God.

II. Hosea the Prophet (v.1)

Hosea 1:1 CSB

The word of the Lord that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel.

A. Historical Background

a. Hosea prophesied from as early as the time of the Israelite king Jeroboam II (786–745 B.C.) to perhaps as late as the reign of the Judean king Hezekiah (725–686 B.C.).

b. Most, if not all, of what is recorded in this prophecy took place before the conquest of Samaria by the Assyrians in 722 B.C.

c. The name Hosea (הוֹשֵׁעַ, hoshea') means Yahweh has caused salvation.

d. Living in Israel at this time would have been much like living in an unruly Third World country today, where political stability and godly diplomacy were necessary (and were within reach), but where something close to anarchy prevailed, along with looting and other lawlessness.

e. For this to happen, when a ruthless superpower threatened to devour the once mighty Israel, no doubt stirred up feelings of both frustration and terror. This has caused civil religious issues, too, that led them to the prophet's ministry.

III. The LORD’s Commission to Hosea (v.2)

Hosea 1:2 CSB

When the Lord first spoke to Hosea, he said this to him: Go and marry a woman of promiscuity, and have children of promiscuity, for the land is committing blatant acts of promiscuity by abandoning the Lord.

A. We now see the call to the prophetic ministry of Hosea.

B. He is to carry on a marriage with a promiscuous woman.

C. Robin Routledge gets it right when talking about this marriage:

a. “a reinterpretation of the divine command in the light of Hosea’s later discovery that his wife, whom he married in good faith, was unfaithful.”

D. This marriage has good intentions.

E. We might also consider two different interpretations of the relationship between the couple and these children:

a. When related to Hosea’s family life, it may suggest that some of the children were born as the result of adulterous relationships (Knight 1960: 40; Routledge 2018: 36), or, more straightforwardly, that they are the children born in the context of Hosea’s relationship with a promiscuous woman.”

F. “The Land is committing blatant acts of promiscuity by abandoning the Lord.”

a. This talks about what these Israelites did to their covenant with God.

b.  “Gomer’s unfaithfulness mirrors the unfaithfulness of Israel and emphasizes the extent and seriousness of that sin to Hosea and his audience.

c. The issue is what is going on in Israel.

d. So, what was Israel doing? Taylor answers that for us,

e.  “One thing stands out in Israel’s idolatry: Despite the sharp distinction biblical writers make between the worship of Yahweh and other gods such as Baal, the idol worshipers themselves likely saw their practices overlapping or even coinciding with Yahweh worship.”

f.  Archaeological data indicate that Israelites would add Yahweh to a pantheon of gods. 

g. We see how the Israelites started to present that Yahweh had a wife named Asherah, a pagan goddess of the Canaanite religion.

h.  There is archaeological evidence that this worship was done early on in the kingdom of the Israelites.

i. Put that into perspective about the ministry of the prophets to the northern kingdom.

j. These people had become pagan early on. They started to think of Yahweh as their “local” deity.

k. Thus, syncretizing other gods into the Lord's fold.

l. This type of idolatry and false worship caused God not only to be disappointed but also wrathful.

m.  This is the issue that these people did.

n. From the beginning of the kingdom, they have been on a straight path of disobedience and succumbed to the various sins that prophets ministered against this nation.

IV. Jezreel “God-Will-Sow” (v.3-5)

Hosea 1:3–5 CSB

So he went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. Then the Lord said to him: Name him Jezreel, for in a little while I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu and put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. On that day I will break the bow of Israel in Jezreel Valley.

A. Verse 3

a. We see Hosea's wife, Gomer.

b.  We see that the introduction of her father's name is mentioned.

c. “Hosea’s father Beeri and Gomer’s father Diblaim imply that Hosea’s marriage was of the type that involved at least consultation between the fathers.” 

d. This would echo for a good-willed, intentional marriage.

e. Due to their marriage, Gomer is seen bearing Hosea as a child.

f. This child is the only one mentioned as Hosea’s.

B. Verse 4

a. We see the name of that child, Jezreel.

Hosea: God’s Reconciliation with His Estranged Household b. The Sign-Act of “God-Will-Sow”: Dissipation of Land (1:3c–5)

Jezreel” (yizrĕ‘e’l, יִזְרְעֶאל), sounds quite similar to “Israel” (yiśrā’ē, יִשְׂרָאֵל), but has the meaning, “God will sow [seed].”

b. This name points to the judgment of the dynasty of Jehu.

c. His name means God-will-sow.

d. This name also has other Old Testament meanings. Jezreel was the name of a fertile valley in Samaria and a strategic outpost within this valley that contained one of Ahab’s royal palaces (1 Kgs 21:1). 

e. Also, Routledge points out that “Jezreel was the scene of some of the massacres that marked Jehu’s overthrow of the family of Ahab.”

f.  Why would God want to destroy this house?

g.  By killing Azariah of Judah and massacring his family, he went beyond God’s purpose; though, as a member of Ahab’s family, Azariah might be regarded as a legitimate target.

h.  According to 2 Kings 10:31, Jehu and his family rebelled against God. God will judge him for abiding by his ancestors' covenant.

C. Verse 5

a. God tells Hosea that he will break Israel's bow in the Jezreel Valley, prophesying Israel's collapse to the nations around them.

b.  Looking back at Hosea's son’s name, Jezrael, what is God also communicating?

c. He is telling Hosea that Israel will soon be scattered

V. Lo-ruhamah “Not-Shown-Mercy” (v.6-7)

Hosea 1:6–7 CSB

She conceived again and gave birth to a daughter, and the Lord said to him: Name her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel. I will certainly take them away. But I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will deliver them by the Lord their God. I will not deliver them by bow, sword, or war, or by horses and cavalry.

A. Verse 6a

Hosea: God’s Reconciliation with His Estranged Household c. The Sign-Act of “Not-Shown-Mercy”: Dissipation of Divine Presence (1:6–7)

Lo-Ruhamah (“Not-Shown-Mercy”; 1:6a–d), Hosea’s second child, marks the end of how YHWH had “shown mercy” (רחם) to his people

a. We see that Gomar gave birth to a daughter, Lōʾ Ruḥāmâ.

b. This name also coincides with God’s divine judgment on Israel.

c.  This name means “not to show compassion.”

d. Robin Routledge highlights,

1.  “Thus, a stark reference to the withdrawal of those feelings usually associated with family relationships.  God will withdraw his compassion from the kingdom of Israel by echoing the scattering of Israel. This judgement is in the exile that will result in the Assyrian takeover of the Kingdom of Israel in 772 B.C.

B. Verse 6b Why doesn’t God have compassion on them?

a. Therefore, their foreign worship of other gods has caused the one true God to forsake them due to their abandoning the covenant.

b.  In making the covenant with God, if they remain faithful to God, he would be merciful as described in Exodus 34:6-7:

Exodus 34:6–7 CSB

The Lord passed in front of him and proclaimed: The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.

1. ” LORD—the LORD is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.”

c. Since they have done this act, they have rejected God, His blessings, and His forgiveness for the sake of worshiping false gods

C. Verse 7

a. This is in contrast with the Southern Kingdom of Judea. This is due to the time that they will see revival in the Kingship of Hezekiah.

b. According to verse 7, Israel will be spared from this impending doom that will befall it.

c. As Routledge notes:

1.  “The deliverance in 701 BC was accomplished by God, without human agency (2 Kgs 18–19; Isa. 37), and emphasizes the importance of trusting him alone.

VI. Lo-ammi “Not-My-People” (v8-9)

we see the final act of God’s ultimate judgement on Israel.

Hosea 1:8–9 CSB

After Gomer had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and gave birth to a son. Then the Lord said: Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not my people, and I will not be your God.

A. For the third name of Hosea’s child, Lo-ammi.

a. The son's name means “you are not my people.”

B. This is important because of the implication of God's message to Hosea. Symbolically, Yahweh is telling Hosea that he is divorcing Israel.

C. Jerry Hwang:

a. “The fact that the positive declaration, 'you are my people,' echoes ancient Near Eastern formulas of marriage (i.e., “you are my wife”) or adoption (i.e., “you are my son”) makes the estrangement in these verses all the more painful

Hosea: God’s Reconciliation with His Estranged Household d. The Sign-Act of “Not-My-People”: Dissipation of Identity (1:8–9)

The fact that the positive declaration, “you are my people,” echoes ancient Near Eastern formulas of marriage (i.e., “you are my wife”) or adoption (i.e., “you are my son”) makes the estrangement in these verses all the more painful

b.  This would mean that these people no longer benefit from having a covenant with Yahweh.

c. Ultimately, “Israel’s worship of other gods has undermined the special relationship implicit in the divine name. And this is the result, not of God’s vindictiveness, but of Israel’s choice: the people have brought it on themselves

VII. The Great Reversal (v.10-2:1)

Hosea 1:10–2:1 CSB

Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And in the place where they were told: You are not my people, they will be called: Sons of the living God. And the Judeans and the Israelites will be gathered together. They will appoint for themselves a single ruler and go up from the land. For the day of Jezreel will be great. Call your brothers: My People and your sisters: Compassion.

A. Verse 10

a. Verses 10- 2:1 present a glimmer of hope.

b. In the dispute over what God told Hosea he would do and their status during Hosea’s time, he will provide salvation and mercy.

c. The hallmark of our God is that even when we don’t deserve mercy, he shows us.

d. In verse 10, we see that the Israelites and Judeans will be a measureless number of people. Despite all of this, God will not annihilate them.

e.  They will undoubtedly become God’s chosen again.

f. They will follow Him correctly.

g.  This restoration is shown at the end of the verse with ultimate redemption.

h.  During Hosea’s day, they were called “Not-My-People,” but they will be brought back into the fold with the title of “Sons of the living God.”

i. Jerry Hwang: This shows the people that God's future promise is to uphold His covenant with them despite their destruction of it. YHWH thus transforms the status of his people from “children of harlotry” (1:2) into “children of the living God” (2:1[1:10]g).

B. Verses 11-2:1

a. We see something that would have seemed impossible that day.

b. “Hosea regards the division between Israel and Judah as sinful (cf. Emmerson 1984: 77) and, in the future, these two kingdoms will be reunited under a single ‘head’ (NRSV; rōʾš).

c. c. After their exile, the kingdoms of Israel and Judah will become one again. This head, in Hebrew, is not a military leader but a leader like Moses, which is akin to restoration and is the likes of the Exodus account.

d. Going up from a land could mean returning from exile, which occurred in Israel (Assyria) and Judah (Babylon).

e. This decree for Jezreel indicates that the nation will be blessed with further glory despite the impending judgment.

f. At the beginning of chapter 2, we see this accumulate to the reversal of judgement.

g.  Routledge closes this section appropriately: “God will act decisively to restore the broken relationship with his people symbolized by the names Lo-Ammi and Lo-Ruhamah.”

VIII. Conclusion

A. Hosea is one of the most fascinating books of the Old Testament.

B. It is almost misunderstood.

C. One of the most grievous things I did when I graduated from college was apply this book to our current country.

D. Let it be clear: the United States is not God's chosen nation. God has chosen people throughout the world.

E. Yahweh's presence is not bound to one language, culture, or ethnicity.

F. Since applying it to national needs is inappropriate, how can we use this text?

G. We can learn two things.

First, despite our shortcomings, God will be faithful.

a. Look back at verses 3-9. God had told Israel that not only were they not in a right relationship with Him, but they had committed adultery that caused God to disown them.

b.  During their period of apostasy, they lost favor with God and submitted to judgment.

c. Yet, in verses 10-2:1, we see God faithful to them.

d. Since we are under the New Covenant established by Christ's work, we have a unique relationship with God.

e. Through Jesus, God will never lead us nor forsake us. When God died on the Cross, he bore our sins.

H. Second, we should be aware of our idolatrous heart.

I.  Let me ask you a question.

J. What is your idol?

K. As I said in the introduction, mine was soccer.

L. Now, do I enjoy soccer? Yes.

M. I watch soccer often.

N.  But I don’t put things in front of things that matter more in my life.

O. Are there things in your life that distract you from God?

P.  Are there things that you'd not go to church for?

Q. That is what idolatry is.

R.  If you’d rather stay home and watch football or play video games, that is what idolatry is.

S. You need to look at yourself and see what idols I've put up in my life for which I make excuses.

T. Idolatry is just as impactful in the past and the present.