Hosea 1

The Prophet Marries a Prostitute

1 This is the word the LORD gave to Hosea son of Beeri back when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were running Judah, and Jeroboam son of Joash was running Israel.

2 The LORD told Hosea, “Go marry a woman who stays cheating and have kids with her, because this whole land is out here acting the same way, constantly stepping out on Me.”

3 So Hosea went and married Gomer, daughter of Diblaim, and she got pregnant and had him a son.

4 The LORD said, “Name him Jezreel, because I am about to make the house of Jehu pay for the blood spilled in Jezreel, and I am shutting down the kingdom of Israel.

5 When that day hits, I am snapping Israel’s strength in the Valley of Jezreel.”

The Birth of Lo-ruhamah

6 Gomer got pregnant again and had a daughter. The LORD said, “Name her Lo-Ruhamah, because I am done showing mercy to Israel, I am not letting them off the hook anymore.

7 But I will still show mercy to Judah. I will save them by My own power, not with weapons, not with armies, not with horses or warriors.”

The Birth of Lo-ammi

8 After Gomer stopped nursing Lo-Ruhamah, she had another son.

9 The LORD said, “Name him Lo-Ammi, because you all not My people right now, and I am not claiming you as My God.”

10 Still, the number of Israel will be like sand on the beach, too many to count. And in the same place where they were told, “You all not My people,” they will be called, “Children of the living God.”

11 Judah and Israel will come back together, pick one leader, and rise up out the land, because the day of Jezreel is going to be big.