The Prophet Hosea

Yahweh spoke his word to Hosea, son of Beeri, when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah and when Jeroboam, son of Joash, was king of Israel.

Yahweh told Hosea, “Name him Jezreel. In a little while I will punish Jehu’s family for the people they slaughtered at Jezreel. Then I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.

On that day I will break Israel’s bows and arrows in the valley of Jezreel.”

Gomer became pregnant again and had a daughter. Yahweh told Hosea, “Name her Lo Ruhamah [Unloved]. I will no longer love the nation of Israel. I will no longer forgive them.

“Yet, the Israelites will become as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore. No one will be able to measure them or count them. Wherever they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be told, ‘You are the children of El Chay.’

The people of Judah and Israel will be gathered together. They will appoint one leader for themselves, and they will grow in the land. The day of Jezreel will be a great day.

Israel Is the Lord’s Unfaithful Wife

“So call your brothers Ammi [My People], and call your sisters Ruhamah [Loved].

The Lord Continues to Love Israel

“That is why I’m going to win her back. I will lead her into the desert. I will speak tenderly to her.

“Israel, I will make you my wife forever. I will be honest and faithful to you. I will show you my love and compassion.

Hosea’s Adulterous Wife

Then Yahweh told me, “Love your wife again, even though she is loved by others and has committed adultery. Love her as I, Yahweh, love the Israelites, even though they have turned to other gods and love to eat raisin cakes.”

In the same way, the Israelites will wait a long time without kings or officials, without sacrifices or sacred stones, and without ephods or family idols.

After that, the Israelites will turn and look to Yahweh their Elohim and David their king. They will come trembling to Yahweh for his blessings in the last days.

The Lord’s Legal Case against Israel

Listen to the word of Yahweh, you Israelites. Yahweh has brought these charges against those who live in the land: “There is no faith, no love, and no knowledge of Elohim in the land.

During the day you stumble, and during the night the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother, the nation of Israel.

“Israel, you act like a prostitute. Don’t let Judah become guilty too. Don’t go to Gilgal. Don’t go to Beth Aven. Don’t take the oath, ‘As Yahweh lives. . . .’

“The people of Israel are as stubborn as a bull. How can Yahweh feed them like lambs in an open pasture?

The Lord Announces the Verdict against Israel

“Listen to this, you priests! Pay attention, nation of Israel! Open your ears, royal family! This is my decision about you. You set traps at Mizpah and spread out nets on Mount Tabor.

I know Ephraim, and Israel isn’t a stranger to me. Now, Ephraim, you are acting like a prostitute, and Israel is unclean.

The people of Israel’s arrogance testifies against them. Israel and Ephraim stumble because of their sins, and Judah stumbles with them.

Ephraim will become a wasteland when the time for punishment comes. I will make the truth known among the tribes of Israel.

Israel Rejected the Lord’s Promise

Let’s return to Yahweh. Even though he has torn us to pieces, he will heal us. Even though he has wounded us, he will bandage our wounds.

“I have seen horrible things in the nation of Israel. Ephraim is acting like a prostitute, and Israel is unclean.

“Whenever I want to heal Israel, all I can see is Ephraim’s sin and Samaria’s wickedness. People cheat each other. They break into houses and steal. They rob people in the streets.

Israel Turns to Other Nations for Help

“Ephraim mixes with other nations. Ephraim, you are like a half-baked loaf of bread.

Israel, your arrogance testifies against you, but even after all this, you don’t turn to Yahweh your Elohim or look to him for help.