The Book of Hosea has an unusual plot with him, his wife and family being a living parable! Hosea's wife Gomer is adulterous and so portrays the adulterous nature of Israel's sinful relationship with God. On the other hand Hosea persists in loving Gomer which also reflects God's attitude to his people.
In chapter 1 it is God who commands Hosea to marry Gomer who would be adulterous symbolizing Israel's unfaithfulness to God owing to pagan idolatry and worship. As the couple had children God gave them symbolic names too with symbolic meaning. The first was named Jezreel: "Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel". Next they had a daughter whom they called Lo-Ruhamah meaning 'not loved' or 'no mercy', reflecting God's attitude to his people owing to their persistent rebellion. Then came another boy which was named Lo-Ammi ('not my people'). "For you are not my people and I am not your God". Then gratefully the chapter ends positively and a restored people will be called "sons of the living God and Judah and Israel will be re-united".
No comments:
Post a Comment