Hosea 2 Commentary

The book of Hosea contrasts God’s faithfulness to Israel’s faithlessness. In the first three chapters, Hosea introduces the reader to Israel’s infidelity to their Suzerain (Ruler) God who entered into a covenant with Him, and spelled out the path they could take that would lead to great blessing. God’s covenant with Israel can be viewed as a marital contract. By using Hosea’s own marriage to his unfaithful wife, Gomer, God demonstrated that Israel is an unfaithful covenant partner. Israel had broken her vows to her Covenant Husband.

Throughout the rest of Hosea, Israel’s condition is described as disobedient, rebellious, and idolatrous. As God had warned, Israel’s adoption of pagan principles of self-indulgence led to exploitation, deception, and violence (Hosea 4:2). The people of Israel stood in need of repentance and genuine righteousness. Hosea called them to repentance, but Israel declined.

Israel spent years sowing to its own destruction, making and breaking alliances with the world’s superpowers at the time, Egypt and Assyria, dealing treacherously. Hosea describes Israel as acting like a “silly dove” flitting from one nation to the other, rather than turning to God for protection (Hosea 7:11). Thus Assyria will come and put Israel into exile, which God will use as a way of punishing Israel for its infidelity to its covenant with God (Hosea 11:5).

Through it all, however, the book offers hope to Israel. For although the Suzerain God invoked the discipline provisions of their covenant contract with Him, resulting in them being wounded grievously, in the end times He will heal them, revive them, and restore their blessings (Hosea 2:20, 14:7). May all who read this book find comfort and hope in the steadfast love and faithfulness of God!

In Hosea 2, the Suzerain God confronts His faithless wife, Israel, for going after Baal and her lovers. Israel mistakenly thinks her lovers provide for her, but it is the LORD who has been providing for all her needs. Because of this misunderstanding on Israel’s part, the LORD will strip her of all her material possessions to cause her to realize her guilt. Nevertheless, because of His love and compassion, the LORD will one day restore Israel’s possessions to her and have compassion on her. He will reverse all the curses that fall on Israel and sow her for Himself in the land. The chapter can be outlined as follows:

• The LORD anticipates a time when He will once again accept Israel as His people and have compassion on them (v. 1).

•  The LORD urges His children to denounce their mother for her shameful behavior, lest they follow her and fall under the same judgment that awaits her (vv. 2-5).

• The LORD describes His judgment on Israel because she goes after other gods. Since Israel credits the fertility gods such as Baal for providing for her needs, the Suzerain God declares that He will prevent her from all means of access to cause her to return to Him (vv. 6-13).

• The LORD promises to restore Israel along with her fortunes. He will reverse all the curses that fall on her and sow her for Himself in the land (vv. 14-23).

The Bible Project - Hosea Summary