Hosea

• Where it fits: Divided Kingdom (ca. 930–550 BC), with Israel on the road to destruction in 722 (by Assyria).
• Core message: Covenant unfaithfulness is real, but God’s love is relentless. He confronts sin to restore the relationship.
• Big themes: spiritual adultery/idolatry, judgment + mercy, repentance, God pursuing His people.
• How the book flows:
  1. Hosea’s marriage as a living picture (God’s relationship with Israel)
  2. Charges against Israel + consequences
  3. Promises of healing and restoration after repentance
• Why it matters: Hosea teaches that sin isn’t just “breaking rules,” it’s breaking relationship—yet God still calls His people back.

Jezreel	Lo-Ruhamah	Lo-Amni
God sows, plants; scatters	Not loved, no mercy”	Not my people

A key detail is the naming of Hoseas children (see table above). Hosea’s children each represent an aspect of God’s relationship with Israel.

When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.
² But the more they were called,
    the more they went away from me.^[a]
They sacrificed to the Baals
    and they burned incense to images.
³ It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
    it was I who healed them.
⁴ I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
    a little child to the cheek,
    and I bent down to feed them.

⁵ “Will they not return to Egypt
    and will not Assyria rule over them
    because they refuse to repent?
⁶ A sword will flash in their cities;
    it will devour their false prophets
    and put an end to their plans.
⁷ My people are determined to turn from me.
    Even though they call me God Most High,
    I will by no means exalt them.

From Hosea 11:1-7