Hosea: Unfaithfulness (II)

What’s In A Name (2:1-23)?

Neal Pollard

There is an unmistakable cycle in the first few chapters of Hosea. Symbolized by the marriage between the prophet and the harlot, Gomer, their resulting children, her unfaithfulness, her suffering the consequences thereof, and his taking her back, God illustrates His rocky marriage with the nation of Israel. He had lavished them with His grace, blessings, and love, and they had responded by turning to Baal. He gave them material blessings, which they turned around and used for idolatrous purposes (8).

The cycle can be described as sin, punishment, and redemption. First, the nation sinned–which God calls “harlotry” and “adultery” (2). Then, God promises punishment both through what He will do (3) and what He will not do for her (4). This is followed by a more detailed description of the sins of the nation (5), looking elsewhere for blessings and satisfaction. Then, there is the vow of punishment (6-7). In the midst of all this, God laments that Israel used Him and took what He gave her and cheated on Him (8). For this, He declares His intention to repay her unfaithfulness (9-13). Writhing in the pain of rejection, God determines to withdraw His blessings (9), expose her adultery (10), and turn her partying into poverty and pain (11-13). There is a constant unfaithfulness by the wife and hurt, angry response by the husband. He had not neglected or mistreated her, giving her reason to look elsewhere for comfort, protection, and attention. She was simply untrue in heart. Surely God would just give up on her and let her go!

But remember there is redemption in the cycle, too (14-23). Even after all the spiritual adultery, God continues courting and wooing Israel (14). He declares His love so strongly that He believes, even after all the evidence to the contrary, that His bride will finally come to recognize what she has in Him. She will call Him “husband” (Ishi) and not “master” (Baali)(16). She’ll no longer speak the name of her former lovers (17). He will renew and rededicate His love for her, giving her righteousness, justice, lovingkindness, and compassion like an engagement ring (19). She will give Him faithfulness and intimacy (20), and He will respond to that by unrestrained generosity and affection (21-23).

Throughout the chapter, names are highlighted for significance in this whole cycle. He wants to call her “my people” and “compassion” (2), the opposite of His declaration that they are not His people and He would have no compassion because of her unfaithfulness to Him. There is the change of name by which He hoped for her to call Him (16). The crescendo of this hopeful section (14-23) is, “And I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they will say, ‘You are my God!’”

It is altogether appropriate to put ourselves in the place of Gomer and see this story through God’s eyes and His relationship with us. It should be a deterrent for us, understanding how our sin and rebellion hits our perfect, loving God. While He will punish us if we refuse to change, He longs for our love, faithfulness, and closeness. He is there waiting to lavish all that He has promised upon us, yet He rightfully expects our heart and affection. He could do nothing more to prove His endless longing for us (Rom. 5:6-10).