Hosea 2 - Introduction

The Object Lesson Of Hosea's Family

-- Hosea Two --

The terrible unfaithfulness of Hosea's wife, Gomer, is a picture of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Israel had turned to other gods just as Gomer had turned to other men. God had looked upon Israel as His people pictured in the name of the son Ammi. He had extended mercy to them as pictured by the name of Hosea's daughter, Ruhamah. In Hosea two we also see the names Ishi and Baali. God said, “thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali." The desire of God was to be called Israel's husband and not called her god, Baal any more.

In sadness Hosea asked his children to tell their mother to stop living like a prostitute. The picture was that Gomer was bringing terrible misery and destitution upon herself by her sinful living. This prostitute took no thought as to how she was hurting the ones that loved her. This was the same with the nation of Israel. They had no concern as to how they were hurting God. Hosea's unfaithful wife thought that she could get all she needed elsewhere. She was mistaken. She desperately needed her husband just as Israel needed God. Israel thought she could get what she needed from Baal, but she was terribly likewise mistaken.

God put things in Israel's path to bring her back to her to knees. Like Gomer they should have realized that life was better with their first husband. God had blessed Israel and she used those very blessing to serve the Baal. The result of this unfaithfulness and unthankfulness was that God took back his blessings. Those that lose God also lose every reason for joy. “I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts." Israel had forgotten God and had turned to Baal.

It is hard to imagine such love but Hosea still loved his unfaithful wife and God still loved Israel in her unfaithfulness. The valley of Achor was given to Israel as a door of hope. Troubles often draw people to the Master. There was coming a time when the people would not use the name of Baal any more. Because of Jesus God could say, "I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God."