Text & Exposition
Isreal's Infidelity Illustrated.ch.l:l-3:5.
(a)....Historical Setting. ch.1:1.
Verse 1.
This first verse sets the historical background into its setting, that background has already been discussed in the general introduction section.
(b)....Marriage and Hosea's children.ch.1:2-9.
Verse 2.
"An adulterous wife",(eset zunim) children of unfaithfulness, (yalde znunim). These Hebrew words are paralelled in their meanings.They can be translated,"children of Harlots" or "wife of harlots." Because "harloties" is used in both cases the indication is given that the word harlot means in this case, the immoral acts of a wife, coupled with that, the children are classified as born into and following similar ways.
This passage has been interpretated by some to mean that Gomer was an adulteress before her marriage to Hosea. While on the other hand there are those who believe that Gomer became an adulteress after her first child, but this is all speculation.
The important factor is that this adulterous woman symbolisedIsrael`s spiritual adultry.
Verse 3.
The name Gomer is no where else used for an individual's in the scripture, although it is used by a certain group of people in Genesis 10:2-3 and Ezekiel 38:6.
The name basically means "completion", on the other hand Diblaim, Gomer`s father`s name means,"Fig cakes".
Verse 4.
Hosea and Gomer had three children and each was given a very special & symbolic name. The first was called,"JEZREEL". Jezreel was the city were Jehu wiped out the "house of Ahab."(2 Kings 9:7-10:28). The meaning that this name relayed to the children of Isreal was that God doesnot forget the evil deeds of the past and also the blood that Jehu shed would be avenged.
Jehu acted wrongly against the word of God and shed innocent blood. Jehu killed more people than those intended to be punished by God. So in the light of that Jehu and all of Isreal were to be punish ed and completely wiped out as a nation.The Kingdom of Isreal would disappear for ever.This occured in the year 722 B.C.It is possible that Hosea would be alive at that time.
Verse 5.
The "bow" in scripture was a symbol of strength and power, therefore a broken bow was a symbol of the loss of authority and power. The valley of Jezreel was the place were many great battles were fought, it was also to be the place were God would fulfill His will concerning Isreal. Isreal were defeated by Tiglath Pileser III who conquered that part of the world in 733 B.C.
Verse 6.
In this verse the writter explains that Gomer give birth to a baby girl whom she named "Lo-Ruhamah" which simply means "not loved." The name came to symbolise God's attitude toward Isreal1 for God had decided to bring judgement upon them as a nation. Israel was rebellious and, sinful and so they were to be carried away (nasa) into capitivity.
Verse 7.
On the one hand in this verse we see a direct contrast, while Israel was to be judged, Judah was given another chance to prove herself before a Holy God. It would seem from a close reading of this period that Judah produced a series of good kings i.e. Joash, Amaziah,Uzziah, Jothan etc and because of their faithful service to God and the nation of Judah, God looked favourably upon them.
The use of the term "The Lord thy God" may have been used to remind the Nothern Kingdom to whom alliagence must be given.The phrase sword and battle or by horses or horsemen" would seem to indicate that the Isrealities were trusting in their own abilities to destroy their enemies as opposed to trusting in the Lord their God.
Verse 8.
Gomer`s third child was born shortly after the second was weaned.This little piece of factual information about the baby's birth could be used as evidence for the complete acceptance of the historicity of this story.
Verse 9.
This child was to be named, "Lo-Ammi" which translated means "not my people". Isreal were to be completely disowned and Yahweh would no longer be their God.
The word Lo-Ammi is a very strong word with a very harsh meaning, word gives the idea of being disowned.
(c).... A future day of hope.(1:10-2:1).
Verse 10. In this verse we see the prophet proclaiming a message of hope for his people as well as a message of warning.In verse 9 we see God disowning Isreal, while here in verse 10 we see the prophet proclaiming hope for the future.
Even though Isreal will be heavily punished, God will still fulfill his promises to Abraham. Although in Hosea's days God refused to call Isreal His children but in the days to come they would be known as the "sons of the living God." (Romans 9:26).
Verse 11.
In this verse Hosea explains that unification of Judah and Isreal will take place in the future and one leader will rise up to lead one united nation. We already know that the nation was unified after their return from the Babylonian exile but they were not able to choose a leader,because they were under the supervision of the Persian Officals.
Before the fall of Jerusalem in A.D.70, while the nation was united it never really attained autonomy. On the other hand it needs to be said that since May 1948 the nation of Isreal
established as an autonomous and united nation.
Whether or not the 1948 period represents the fulfilling of this prophecy is open to speculation. In Hosea 2:14-15, it would seem that before this great unification of the nation, Isreal will come up out of Egypt.The collective view that Egypt represents many nations would seem be substanticated by Hosea 2:14-15 where he uses the term to describe Isreal's return from her places of future dispersion.The 20th century surely has seen this very prophecy fulfiiled.
The prophet reminds us "that great will be the day of Jezreel",this gives to us yet another clue that needs to be examined. The day of "Jezreel" will be a day of outstanding importance. Jezreel in this context stands for Isreal, the idea of the nation of Isreal being reborn again and experiencing the glory of past is hinted to here.This period of glory may refer to 10 year reign of Christ.(Isa.2:1-5,11:1-2, Rev.20:1-6).