Hosea 1

1A message from the LORD came to Hosea, the son of Beeri. The message came while Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah were kings of Judah. It also came while Jeroboam was king of Israel. He was the son of Jehoash. Here is what the LORD said to him.

Hosea’s Wife and Children 2The LORD began to speak through Hosea. He said to him, “Go. Marry a woman who has sex with anyone she wants. Have children with her. Do this because the people of the land are like that kind of wife. They have not been faithful to me.”

3So Hosea married Gomer. She was the daughter of Diblaim. Gomer became pregnant and had a son by Hosea. 4Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel. That’s because I will soon punish Jehu’s royal family. He killed many people at the city of Jezreel. So I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.

5At that time I will break their military power. It will happen in the Valley of Jezreel.” 6Gomer became pregnant again. She had a daughter. Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name her Lo-Ruhamah.” Lo-Ruhamah means Not Loved. “That’s because I will no longer show love to the people of Israel. I will not forgive them anymore.

7But I will show love to the people of Judah. And I will save them. I will not use bows or swords or other weapons of war to do it. I will not save them by using horses and horsemen either. Instead, I will use my own power to save them. I am the LORD their God. And I will save them.” 8Later, Gomer stopped nursing Lo-Ruhamah. After that, she had another son.

9Then the LORD said, “Name him Lo-Ammi.” Lo-Ammi means Not My People. “That’s because Israel is no longer my people. And I am no longer their God. 10“But the time will come when the people of Israel will be like the sand on the seashore. It can’t be measured or counted. Now it is said about them, ‘You are not my people.’ But at that time they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ 11The people of Judah and Israel will come together again. They will appoint one leader and come up out of the land. And Jezreel’s day will be great.