Hosea 2 Commentary
The sons of Jacob are collectively called Israel. “Children” in verse 2 is probably a reference to God-fearing individuals who must plead with sinful Israel. Evangelism cannot be half-hearted. We must beg them!
She herself said, “I will go to my lovers—they give me food and water, wool and linen, olive oil and wine.” And then, “She would never acknowledge that I am the one who gave her the grain, the wine, the olive oil, and all the silver and gold that she used in the worship of Baal.”
The great deception includes the devil claiming ownership of ‘things’. The gifts that the LORD has generously given have become the devil’s property, but it is all a lie. He then distributes them as favors to Gomer-like individuals. It is a great lie that has persisted even to this very day. We have but one God—the God of Creation. The LORD God has generously distributed gifts to humanity for sustenance.
“She will run after her lovers but will not catch them.” Not because she will not run fast enough, but simply because she cannot. It is a design parameter! “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.” St Augustine.
So Gomer can only find rest in her Husband. She will return. After chasing the wind, or after catching enough of it, she will realize who the real provider of love is.
Isn’t there something like having had enough vanity? Is it not tiring to chase the wind? Won’t humanity learn that wind cannot be caught?
The LORD withdraws care and love in an effort to redirect Gomer. Won’t she wake up? In the midst of wealth, worldly pleasures, or perceived success, won’t the emptiness of life remind the vanity seeker that it is all for nothing?
The gospel seeks to win the sinner back with words of love. She will hear them and return. Then life will be normal again.
The chapter closes with a poem about God’s love. Verses 19 to 23. It is a pointer to the time of the Prince of Peace, the one with the government on His shoulders. It is Calvary time! It should be a blessed time for the reader to know they can hear God’s love and respond to it without delay.
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LOVING SCRIPTURE 