Hosea - Chapter 2 (Verses 14-23)
After the first half of the chapter which calls out the transgression and rebellion of the unfaithful, the Lord decrees forgiveness and reconciliation in the second half. In the case of all conversions and renewals to the Lord, this is not a one-sided event on the part of God, the forgiver. There are conditions that must be met.
- What does Hosea (God/Christ) need to do in order to get Gomer’s (unfaithful Israel/unfaithful church) attention?
- What is the appeal of Verse 14? What condition in the marriage does Hosea (God) want to take the Gomer back to (unfaithful Israel/unfaithful church)?
- What is the significance of the Valley of Achor?
Verse 16 speaks to the condition of the heart with regard to the knowledge of God and His word/law for the people. Here he contrasts two names for Himself from the perspective of a wife and people. The first is Ishi (husband) and second is Baal. They are expected to call God Husband going forward based on repentance. This repentance requires them to subject themselves to God and the Law of God. This is the contrast to the name Baal which means owner or lord. In other words, one with authority and to which a person is fully subjected. The word Baal is commonly translated in the bible as the word husband. The difference here is the other use of the word in the bible as related to idols (Verse 27). God desires people to be subject to His authority, but, by their own choice of love. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). In the following verses, God itemizes the reasons the fallen should recognize the need to be betrothed to Him anew.
- Who were the Baals?
- God is reiterating a promise in Verse 18 that He made to Israel long before. When was this promise originally made?
- How many times does the text say the repentant wife will be betrothed to the loving and forgiving husband?
- What are the three conditions of betrothal?
- How does the chapter close in Verses 21-23 relative to its beginning?
Christ in the Text
Is Jesus in this as prophecy? No.
Is Christ directly represented in this set of verses? No.
Is Christ indirectly represented in these verses? Yes.
Two instances in this set of verses has indirect references to Christ. In Verse 20 it is said “you will know Jehovah”. In the book of John, Jesus repeatedly states the only way for anyone to know the Father is through the Christ, Himself (John 6:45, John 14:6, John 15:26, John 16:25). The second is in Verses 21-23. Here there will be a sowing of the earth by God and those that formerly rejected God, or did not know God, would be reconciled to God. This comes to fruition on the day of Pentecost after the resurrection of the Lord with the Jews obeying the gospel and, in turn, the gospel being shared to all.
Is the purpose of Christ shown in these verses? Yes.
The purpose of Christ is reconciliation of the repentant to God. There is a call for repentance in the verses. Specifically, in Verses 16-17. Christ authorizes that salvation from all sin only comes through calling on His name (Acts 2:21). Paul also quoted from Joel 2:32, For everyone, "whoever may call on the name of the Lord will be saved." - Romans 10:13. See also Matthew 23:9 and 1 Peter 1:17.
