In some cultures, where the economy is poor, young girls are sent out to cities to become prostitutes by their families. After earning some money, after a few months, they come back home, then get married. Some bible scholars understand this could have been the experience of Hosea marrying Gomer. (Hosea 1:1-3) His name means ‘salvation.’
Historical context
Hosea’s ministry was between 760 and 720 B.C. He prophesied during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, the kings of Judah, and their contemporaries were Jeroboam II and Joash. Hosea was contemporary to the Prophets Isaiah and Micah. Under Jeroboam II, the kingdom flourished from a political and economic standpoint. (II Kings 14:23-29) However, it was a time for spiritual and moral decay. What Jeroboam II sowed, the next six successors reaped. Four of them were violently overthrown, and one died as a conquered exile in Assyria.
Choosing wife
God commanded Hosea to take a wife, Gomer, who was a prostitute. God commanded so because the people of God have committed spiritual adultery by forsaking the Lord and going after idols. The metaphor of God as the husband of Israel is consistent throughout the Old Testament. Hosea could feel how God felt when Israel went astray. They had two sons and a daughter. (Hosea 1:4,6,9) Jezreel means scatter, Lo-Ruhamah, which means No mercy, and Lo-Ammi, which means Not my people. All three names indicate God’s judgment against Israel. The Northern Kingdom was uprooted and scattered from the Promised Land.
Messages
The themes of the messages of Hosea are: Spiritual unfaithfulness, Warning about sin and its consequences, God’s attribute of love and mercy, His covenant love for His people, call for repentance, God’s judgment when people do not repent, and a hope for future restoration. Hosea spoke of God’s loving relationship with Israel. He described God’s relationship with Israel as that of a Husband, Gardener, Physician, and Shepherd. The people of God were unfaithful, but God was kind, merciful, patient, and faithful.
Do I love the Lord or go astray as Israel did?