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Hosea starts his prophecy with a marriage to Gomer. He was actually married to her; she was an adulteress. The prophecy pivots around his own unfortunate marriage to Gomer, a personal tragedy, which profoundly influences his teaching.
Gomer, the adulteress, symbolized faithless Israel. Just as Hosea could not give up his wife forever, so Yahweh could not renounce Israel, who has been betrothed to him.
Join me now with chapter one of the Book of Hosea. “In the beginning of the Lord’s speaking to Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea: Go, take a harlot wife and harlot’s children, for the land gives itself to harlotry, turning away from the Lord.” (verse 1)
The second verse is similar to the first: “So he went and took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim; and she conceived and bore him a son. Then the Lord said to him: Give him the name Jezreel.” (verse 4) Jezreel was a strategic valley in northern Israel where Jehu brought the dynasty of Omri to an end through bloodshed. (2 Kings 9-10) Jeroboam II was the last king but one of the house of Jehu; the prophecy in this sense was fulfilled by the murder of his son, who reigned only six months. (2 Kings 15:8-10)
“When she conceived again and bore a daughter, the Lord said to him: ‘Give her the name Lo-ruhama; I no longer feel pity for the house of Israel: rather, I abhor them utterly.’” (verse 6) The word “Lo-ruhama” means “she is not pitied.” The “pity” that is here withheld from Israel is God’s gratuitous love which inspires his beneficent acts.
Does God withhold his pity from us today? Do we listen to the prophet today and make amends for our negligence in listening to his word as he speaks to us today?
Retired Auxiliary Bishop Bernard F. Popp has an interest in Old Testament scholarship. He lives at Padua Place. |