Hosea’s Wife and Children

When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.”

“Yet the time will come when Israel’s people will be like the sands of the seashore—too many to count! Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said, ‘You are children of the living God.’

And I will not love her children, for they were conceived in prostitution.

My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children.

They have betrayed the honor of the Lord, bearing children that are not his. Now their false religion will devour them along with their wealth.

The glory of Israel will fly away like a bird, for your children will not be born or grow in the womb or even be conceived.

Even if you do have children who grow up, I will take them from you. It will be a terrible day when I turn away and leave you alone.

I have watched Israel become as beautiful as Tyre. But now Israel will bring out her children for slaughter.”

The people of Israel are struck down. Their roots are dried up, and they will bear no more fruit. And if they give birth, I will slaughter their beloved children.”

Now the terrors of war will rise among your people. All your fortifications will fall, just as when Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel. Even mothers and children were dashed to death there.