Hosea 1: An Unexpected Love Story

Seth McDonald
04/13/25 - Sunday AM Worship

Introduction

1. Hosea is the last prophet to claim to preach to the northern nation of Israel before Assyrian captivity. (750-725 B.C.)
   1. Began during the reign of Uzziah – 1.1
   2. Significant portion comes from the time of Ahaz
   3. Died during Hezekiah’s reign (~112-115 years old when he died)
2. Hosea lives out an example to show not only how much sin hurts us, but how much it hurts God.
3. God’s character never changes. Through Hosea, we learn of His pain, persistence, and perfection.
    

1. The Strange Command – 1:2-3
   When the LORD first spoke to Hosea, he said this to him: Go and marry a woman of promiscuity, and have children of promiscuity, for the land is committing blatant acts of promiscuity by abandoning the LORD.  (3)  So he went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.
   1. God tells Hosea to marry a woman who will not be faithful to him.
      1. Hosea would not know if the children were his.
      2. This would be painful – betrayed, hurt, jealous
   2. Hosea is to be a demonstration of how God feels.
      1. The people are “abandoning the Lord” with whom they should be in a covenant relationship.
      2. Israel’s idolatry and making covenants with other nations is like adultery.
   3. Hosea’s obedience
      1. No mention of hesitation. Hosea obeys.
      2. God may ask us to do things that are hard. We must be willing to obey.

2. The Strange Children – 1:4-9
   Then the LORD said to him: Name him Jezreel, for in a little while I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu and put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.  (5)  On that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.  (6)  She conceived again and gave birth to a daughter, and the LORD said to him: Name her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel. I will certainly take them away.  (7)  But I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will deliver them by the LORD their God. I will not deliver them by bow, sword, or war, or by horses and cavalry.  (8)  After Gomer had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and gave birth to a son.  (9)  Then the LORD said: Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not my people, and I will not be your God.
    
   1. Jezreel = “God will scatter”
      1. The house of Jehu – 2 Kings 9-10
         1. Jehu obeys, but for the wrong reasons.
         2. Does not give up idols in Dan & Bethel (2 Kings 10:29)
         3. Was not careful to follow the Lord with all his heart. (10:31)       
      2. It is easy to obey when God’s will and my will coincide.
         1. God wants our hearts, more than just the actions of obedience.
         2. Jehu “Come see MY zeal for the Lord”, not “Come see my Lord”
             
   2. Lo-ruhamah = “No mercy/compassion”
      1. First son was “born to Hosea.” But for the daughter, Gomer “conceived again,” bringing to question if this is Hosea’s child.
      2. God’s patience and compassion do not last forever.
         1. Israel’s time is coming to an end.
         2. Judgement day is coming. – 2 Peter 3.9-11
      3. God will deliver Judah, but not by military strength.
         1. God saved Judah during Hezekiah’s reign by miraculously destroying the Assyrian army.
         2. God saves us through the blood of Jesus, not by conquest.
             
   3. Lo-ammi = “Not my people”
      1. Evidently not Hosea’s child.
      2. Evidence of the broken covenant: (Lev 26:12) And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
      3. They can no longer claim the Lord as their God. It seems to be the end for Israel.
3. God’s Amazing Promise – 1:10-2:1
   Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And in the place where they were told: You are not my people, they will be called: Sons of the living God.  (11)  And the Judeans and the Israelites will be gathered together. They will appoint for themselves a single ruler and go up from the land. For the day of Jezreel will be great. (2:1) Call your brothers: My People and your sisters: Compassion.
   1. God will remember His promise to Abraham
      1. Even though Israel will be judged, God will stay faithful to His promise.
      2. Further, a reversal is going to happen.
   2. “Sons of the living God” (not just God’s people, but children)
      1. God is going to unite Judeans and Israelites
      2. They will have a single ruler.
   3. Names of children will be reversed
      1. Jezreel = God sows (instead of scattering)
      2. Call your brothers: My people (reversing Lo-ammi)
      3. Call your sisters: Compassion (reversing Lo-ruhamah)
   4. We learn about the character of God
      1. The people do nothing to deserve this reversal – Romans 5.6-8
      2. God acts because that is who God is.
          
4. Hosea 1 in the New Testament
   1. God’s promise to Israel didn’t fail. – Romans 9:25-26
      1. God offers salvation to all who were “not my people”
      2. The riches of God’s glory would be shown “not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles.” (Romans 9.24)
      3. Because of sin, I need to see myself as no better than the lost.
   2. To keep from sin, remember where you came from – 1 Peter 2:10
      1. Abstain from sinful desires – 1 Peter 2.1, 11
      2. Look at where you are – 1 Peter 2.2-3, 5, 9
      3. Remember who you used to be – 1 Peter 2.9b-10
   3. Christians are the Bride of Christ – Revelation 19; Ephesians 5.23-30
      1. God sees my relationship with Him as a marriage.
      2. My sin hurts God.
          

Discussion Questions

1. 1. What is something about Hosea 1 that stood out to you?
   2. What can we learn from the obedience of Hosea?
   3. How does Hosea 1 impact how we see lost people around us?