HOSEA

HOSEA 1

GOD CALLS HOSEA TO MARRY AN UNFAITHFUL WOMAN 

God instructs the prophet Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman, likely a prostitute, as a way for Hosea to experience God’s heartbreak over Israel’s unfaithfulness. The nation has repeatedly turned away from God to worship idols, breaking their covenant relationship.

Hosea follows God’s request and marries a woman named Gomer. Together they have a son, whom God names Jezreel, meaning “God sows or scatters.” This name is chosen because God plans to punish and scatter the people of Israel, exiling them and putting an end to their kingdom.

Gomer then has a daughter and a son, although it is unclear if Hosea is their father. The daughter is given a name meaning “No Mercy,” showing that God will withhold His compassion from Israel. The son’s name, “Not My People,” reflects how Israel has drifted and separated from God, no longer placing their identity in Him.

Although Israel will be judged for their rebellion, God will bring future restoration. The Israelites will ultimately be unified as children of God and claimed once again as God’s people.

HOSEA 2

GOD COMPARES ISRAEL TO AN UNFAITHFUL WIFE + PLANS TO PUNISH THEIR ADULTERY 

Through Hosea, God uses the imagery of an unfaithful wife to describe Israel’s betrayal. He warns that Israel’s unfaithfulness will soon be met with punishment.

God reminds the nation of Israel of his continual goodness towards them and warns them that they long for what they have lost. The Israelites have misused God’s blessings by dedicating their wealth to idols, particularly Baal, a false god.

Despite their unfaithfulness, God desires to renew His relationship with His people and restore their covenant of faithfulness. In the end, He promises to unify Israel, extend mercy to those who don’t deserve it, and reclaim them as His people.

HOSEA 3

GOD SENDS HOSEA TO REDEEM GOMER + REESTABLISH THEIR COVENANT

Although Gomer has returned to her life of adultery and abandoned Hosea, God instructs Hosea to find her once again. Insinuating her role as a prostitute, Hosea purchases her with silver and barley. Hosea tells Gomer that she will be his alone and that they will remain faithful to each other.

This beautiful example of Hosea’s mercy illustrates God’s love for the Israelites despite their unfaithfulness. God is on a pursuit of his people even when they don’t deserve his mercy and kindness. God is hurt by the Israelites, as Hosea was hurt by Gomer, but both Hosea and God humble themselves to restore the broken relationships.

Instead of silver and barley, God has paid the ultimate price for the sin of humanity, sending his son Jesus to die on the cross.

HOSEA 4

GOD REBUKES ISRAEL’S FAITHFUL + DECLARES THEY DO NOT KNOW OR LOVE HIM 

God rebukes Israel for their faithlessness. Hosea declares that there is no love or knowledge of God in the land. By rejecting God, they have rejected knowledge. In response, God will reject the Israelites and allow them to suffer in their stubbornness.

Because the Israelites participate in meaningless religion, God will similarly allow them to not be satisfied by their efforts. Their worship of false idols leads to false satisfaction. The Israelites offer sacrifices to God, but they are shameful and purposeless because they do not come from a place of true worship.

HOSEA 5 

GOD WANTS ISRAEL TO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM INSTEAD OF OTHER NATIONS 

God warns that Israel will stumble because of their guilt and be punished for their disgraceful wrongdoings. Although Judah has been more righteous than Israel, they have also turned towards faithlessness and await judgment. God rebukes Israel for turning to other nations for help instead of seeking God in their distress.

HOSEA 6

GOD CALLS ISRAEL BACK TO HIM, BUT THEY IGNORE HIS WARNING

Israel is encouraged by Hosea to return to God and draw near to him, but they once again reject knowledge and righteousness. God desires steadfast love and genuine relationships with the Israelites more than their meaningless sacrifices.

Although God has sent many prophets to warn the Israelites, they have ignored their words of wisdom. God compares the Israelites to Adam and acknowledges their broken covenant. Israel has broken their covenant promise with God and committed spiritual unfaithfulness.

Hosea 6:6 - For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

HOSEA 7

GOD REBUKES ISRAEL FOR THEIR FAITHLESSNESS + INFIDELITY 

God continues His rebuke of Israel and reveals their unfortunate fate. The Israelites do not consider that God remembers all their evil and will serve as the ultimate judge. Instead of fearing God and repenting, Israel puts their trust in faithless foreign nations who lead them astray.

HOSEA 8

THE ISRAELITES TRUST ON THEIR OWN STRENGTH + FORGET GOD 

The Israelites claim to know God, but their actions reveal otherwise. They appoint leaders and rulers without seeking God’s guidance. Instead of worshiping Him, they turn to man-made idols of silver and gold. God declares that He will destroy the golden calf they revered in Samaria. He will remember Israel’s sins and punish them for their iniquity, as they have forgotten their Creator and turned away from Him.

HOSEA 9

FALSE GODS ARE WORTHLESS COMPARED TO GOD 

Through Hosea’s message, God calls Israel to put an end to their fleeting pleasures. God warns Israel that once they face oppression from other nations, their false gods will prove to be powerless.

Baal worship has drawn the Israelites to sin, making them detestable like the false gods they serve. God will remember the sins of the Israelites and their broken covenant, allowing them to be punished for the unfaithfulness.

HOSEA 10

ISRAEL WILL BE BROUGHT TO SHAME FOR THEIR SELFISHNESS AND SIN 

God continues His message of warning regarding Israel’s impending fate. Because of their ongoing sin and idol worship, Israel will be broken down and brought to shame. As Israel’s wealth grows, so does their reliance on their own strength, leading them further from God.

Much earlier, in 1 Samuel 8:7, the Israelites rejected God as their ruler and desired a human king like the other nations. During Hosea’s time, they are repeating this pattern by rejecting authority and making empty promises.

Hosea laments Israel’s squandered potential. Instead cultivating faithfulness and righteousness, the Israelites created a culture of lies and injustice. Because they have trusted only in their selfish ways, Israel will be cut off and separated from God’s divine protection.

HOSEA 11

GOD WILL CALL HIS SON OUT OF EGYPT + SHOW THEM COMPASSION  

The phrase “God called his son out of Egypt,” is later repeated in Matthew 2:15 in reference to Jesus and His protection from Herod as an infant. Just as Egypt served as a place of provision for the Israelites, God also uses it as a place of refuge for Jesus.

Because of God’s love for His people, He does not fully relinquish His anger. Despite Israel’s continual rebellion and deceit, God displays compassion towards His people.

Hosea 11:1 - When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

HOSEA 12

THE LONG-STANDING REBELLION OF ISRAEL 

Within his warning, Hosea recalls Israel’s long-standing rebellion against God. Hosea references their ancestor Jacob and his deception against Isaac and Esau (Genesis 25–28). Israel has been in trouble from the start and their deceitful lives reflect their fallen state.

Through the prophets, God has repeatedly warned Israel to repent. Because Israel has ignored these warnings and drifted into further sin, God will repay Israel for their disgraceful deeds, and they will face the consequences of their rebellion.

HOSEA 13

THE ISRAELITES HAVE FORGOTTEN GOD’S PROVISION + TRUSTED IN BAAL

Because the people of Israel created idols for Baal out of gold and silver, God reminds them that no other god has ever proved to be trustworthy or valuable. It has always been God alone who brought provision and salvation! The hearts of the Israelites forgot God and all that He had done.

God will destroy all of the false idols and hold Israel accountable for their false worship. God reminds the people that there is no other savior besides Him. Even the leaders they once pleaded for have failed them and Israel will suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness.

In verse 14, Hosea foreshadows God’s ultimate victory over death, saying that the grave has no power or sting. Although the Israelites will face repercussions for their rebellion, there is hope for future flourishing!

HOSEA 14

GOD WILL REESTABLISH ISRAEL WITH DEEP ROOTS AND FLOURISHING FRUIT 

Hosea reveals God's desire to restore Israel despite their rebellion. He calls His people to repentance, offering them a chance to return to Him. If they turn away from their idols and return to God, He will reestablish them with deep roots and provide for them, allowing them to flourish and produce good fruit.

Whoever is wise and discerning will understand the need to repent and seek God's ways. The upright will realize that God’s path leads to life, and they will walk in His ways.

Hosea concludes with the wisdom that the righteous will understand God's plan and find flourishing in His guidance.

Hosea 14:9 - Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.