This week we start the minor prophets with the book of Hosea. Names in the Bible often had great significance and that is especially true in the book of Hosea. For example, Hosea’s name in Hebrew means “salvation.” This book gives us an incredible glimpse into both God’s plan and His heart for our salvation.
The book opens with God giving Hosea a shocking command, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods” – Hosea 1:2.
Hosea is obedient and goes and marries a prostitute named Gomer. Interestingly, Gomer’s name means “to end.” By taking her as his wife, Hosea lifts her out of her life of selling herself, gives her a new identity and does away with the need for her to provide for herself. Hosea was indeed her salvation and put an end to her life of prostitution.
Gomer bears Hosea two sons and a daughter. God tells Hosea to name his first son “Jezreel” which means “God plants.” Next God tells Hosea to name his daughter “Lo-ruhamah” which means “not loved.” Finally God tells Hosea to name his youngest son “Lo-ammi” which means “Not my people.” But as the first chapter ends God gives Hosea this incredible news, “In that day you will call your brothers Ammi—‘My people.’ And you will call your sisters Ruhamah—‘The ones I love’ (Hosea 2:1).
God is using Hosea’s family to give us an illustration of His plan of salvation. So look at the story God is telling through Hosea’s family. God sends salvation (Hosea) to bring an end (Gomer) to unfaithfulness and plant His children (Jezreel) into His family. Then those who once were not His people (Lo-ammi) will be called His people (Ammii) and those who were not loved (Lo-Rumahah) will be called the ones I love (Rumahah).
Take a minute and thank God for saving you, putting an end to sin’s power, placing you in His family so that you could be one of His people and the one that He loves.
The book opens with God giving Hosea a shocking command, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods” – Hosea 1:2.
Hosea is obedient and goes and marries a prostitute named Gomer. Interestingly, Gomer’s name means “to end.” By taking her as his wife, Hosea lifts her out of her life of selling herself, gives her a new identity and does away with the need for her to provide for herself. Hosea was indeed her salvation and put an end to her life of prostitution.
Gomer bears Hosea two sons and a daughter. God tells Hosea to name his first son “Jezreel” which means “God plants.” Next God tells Hosea to name his daughter “Lo-ruhamah” which means “not loved.” Finally God tells Hosea to name his youngest son “Lo-ammi” which means “Not my people.” But as the first chapter ends God gives Hosea this incredible news, “In that day you will call your brothers Ammi—‘My people.’ And you will call your sisters Ruhamah—‘The ones I love’ (Hosea 2:1).
God is using Hosea’s family to give us an illustration of His plan of salvation. So look at the story God is telling through Hosea’s family. God sends salvation (Hosea) to bring an end (Gomer) to unfaithfulness and plant His children (Jezreel) into His family. Then those who once were not His people (Lo-ammi) will be called His people (Ammii) and those who were not loved (Lo-Rumahah) will be called the ones I love (Rumahah).
Take a minute and thank God for saving you, putting an end to sin’s power, placing you in His family so that you could be one of His people and the one that He loves.
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