Hosea

God tells Hosea to marry Gomer (‘a wife of whoredom’) and their children’s prophetic names (Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah, Lo-ammi) announce judgment on Israel—yet a future reunion of Judah & Israel is promised.

Israel, the unfaithful wife, will be stripped and punished for chasing lovers (idols), but afterwards God will allure her, betroth her forever in righteousness, and reverse the ‘no-mercy / not-my-people’ verdict.

Hosea buys back his adulterous wife, foreshadowing Israel’s long season without king or sacrifice before they return in the latter days to seek the LORD and ‘David’ their king.

The LORD indicts the land for no faithfulness or knowledge—priests and people alike practice spiritual prostitution; idolatry on the high places will leave Israel to reap ruin while Judah is warned to stay clear.

Priests, royals and people are a snare; Ephraim’s pride keeps them from turning, so God will tear like a lion and withdraw until they acknowledge their guilt (Assyria will not heal them).

Israel’s call to ‘return’ rings hollow; God wants steadfast love, not sacrifice. Their covenant-breaking, bloodshed and priestly crimes make their piety as fleeting as morning mist.

Hidden sin boils like an oven: intrigue topples kings, foreign alliances sap strength, yet Israel will not cry to God from the heart—woe for their rebellious lies and faulty bow.

The trumpet sounds: because Israel sowed wind (calf-idols, self-chosen kings) they will reap whirlwind—Assyria will swallow them up and their many altars will only add to their guilt.

No rejoicing: threshing floors will fail, exile to Egypt/Assyria awaits, prophet and people alike are mad with sin; childlessness and wandering will mark the day God departs.

A luxuriant vine turned false, Israel’s divided heart means shattered altars and a lost king; they ploughed iniquity and will reap war until the fortress and monarch are cut off at dawn.

God’s father-love (calling Israel from Egypt) is met with Baal worship; compassion struggles with justice, yet He will roar to bring His children home, for He is God, not man.

Jacob’s story (wrestling, weeping, serving for a wife) rebukes deceitful Ephraim who trusts in riches and foreign treaties; the LORD calls them to return with love and justice.

Past greatness turns to death through calf-idolatry; like lions and bears God will ravage them, their king cannot save, and Samaria will fall by the sword—yet a hint of resurrection is voiced.

Final call: ‘Return, take words with you.’ God promises to heal backsliding and make Israel blossom; the wise will walk in these straight paths while the wicked stumble.