π Prophecy expands from microcosm (Israel) to macro (world/all humanity. So what is said to Israel, the example, is said to all.)
SUMMARY - away from God brings calamity, with God, blessing and everything good. {He is Life and a shield.}
1:2 When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, marry a harlot woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived..
7 “But I will show love to the people... I’ll free them from their enemies—not with weapons and armies or horses and charioteers, but by my power as the Lord their God.” 10 .. the time will come when Israel’s people will be like the sands of the seashore—too many to count! Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said, ‘You are children of the living God.’ 11 The people of Judah and Israel will unite.. and will return from exile together. What a day that will be—the day of Jezreel [scatterer of seed]—when God will again plant his people in his land.
2:2 “But now bring charges against Israel—your mother—for she is no longer my wife, and I am no longer her husband. 5 ..a shameless prostitute 8 She doesn’t realize it was I who gave her everything she has—the grain, the new wine, the olive oil; I even gave her silver and gold. grain and new wine. 13 .. she burned incense to Baal.. went out to look for her lovers.. 14 But I will win her back ..speak tenderly 15 ..will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble {this unavoidable but all important contrast} into a gateway of hope [tiqvah - hope, expectation]. 18 On that day I will make safety ..remove all weapons of war from the land, all swords and bows, so you can live unafraid in peace. 19 I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. 20 I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me..
3:4 Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests, or even idols! 5 But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the LORD their God and to David’s descendant, their king [Jesus]. In the last days, they will tremble - in awe/wonderment - of the LORD and of his goodness.
4:1 .. There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God.. 2 ..you kill and steal and commit adultery ..violence everywhere — one murder after another. 3 That is why your land is in mourning 6 ..people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.
13 Offering sacrifices to idols, burning incense to them in the hills ..why your daughters turn to prostitution, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery. 14 ..your men are doing the same thing, sinning with whores and shrine prostitutes. O foolish people! You refuse to understand.. 19 So a mighty wind will sweep them away. {Cause snd effect.}
5:1 ..Pay attention, you leaders.. 2 You have dug a deep pit to trap (Ps.94:13). But I will settle with you for what you’ve done. 7 .. their false religion will devour them, along with their wealth. 7:13 .. they have told lies about me.
8:1 Sound the alarm! 7 “They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind. ..they act as if my laws don’t apply to them. 8 The prophet is a watchman ..yet traps are laid for him wherever he goes. He faces hostility even in the house of God. 9 The things the people do are as depraved as what was done.. long ago.
10:1 .. the richer the people get, the more pagan altars they build. 4 ..injustice springs up among them like poisonous weeds in a farmer’s field. 8 They will beg the mountains, “Bury us!” and plead with the hills, “Fall on us!” 12 I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ 13 “But you have cultivated wickedness and harvested a thriving crop of lawlessness. You have eaten the fruit of lies— 14 ..All your fortifications will fall.. 15 because of your great wickedness, when the day of judgment dawns..
11:4 .. I lifted the yoke.. and I myself stooped to feed.. 5 But since my people refuse to return to me.. 6 War will swirl through their cities, their enemies will crash through their gates. {Shield of Life faded.} 8 .. “My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows. 9 No, I will not unleash my fierce anger. I will not completely destroy.. for I am God and not a mere mortal.� I am the Holy One living among you, and I will not come to destroy. 10 For someday the people will follow me. I, the LORD, will roar like a lion. And when I roar, my people will return.. 11 Like a flock of birds.. Trembling like doves, they will return ..And I will bring them home again,” says the Lord.
12:6 So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him. 7 But no, the people are like crafty merchants selling from dishonest scales — they love to cheat. 10 I sent my prophets to warn you..
… have cultivated wickedness and harvested a thriving crop of lawlessness. You have eaten the fruit of lies..
14:1 - Return to the LORD.. 2 Take words with you and return.. 9 Who is wise.. who is discerning? Let them understand.
