Hosea 2

Israel's First Husband

Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts; Hosea 2:2–7

Jehovah describes Israel as a wife who ran after other lovers (false gods). When they fail her, she decides to return to her 'first husband,' the Lord. Christ is that faithful Husband, always ready to take back those who come home to Him.

• the same title in Isaiah 54:5 — 'Thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel.'
• the same title in Jeremiah 3:14 — 'Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you.'

Jehovah, Giver of Every Blessing

For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal. Hosea 2:8–13

The LORD speaks directly. Israel thanked false gods for blessings that really came from Him, and forgot Him. Jehovah, the premortal Christ, is the true source of every good gift.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

A Door of Hope

Achor — 'trouble'; the valley of trouble becomes a door of hope

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. Hosea 2:14–15

The Lord gently wins Israel back and turns the valley of Achor, a place of sin and trouble in Joshua's day, into a doorway of hope. This echoes how the Redeemer turns people's lowest places into a way back to Him.

• alludes to Joshua 7:24-26 — Achan's sin and punishment gave the valley of Achor ('trouble') its name.

Ishi (My Husband)

Ishi — 'my husband'; Baali — 'my master' or 'my lord,' also recalling the false god Baal

And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. Hosea 2:16

Israel will stop calling the Lord 'my master,' a word that sounded like the idol Baal, and will call Him 'my husband' instead. The relationship Christ wants with His people is covenant love, not just ownership.

• the same title in Isaiah 54:5 — 'Thy Maker is thine husband ... thy Redeemer.'

Peace in That Day

And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely. Hosea 2:18

'In that day' the Lord will end war and let His people live safely, at peace even with the animals. This looks forward to the peace of Christ's millennial reign.

• the same event in Isaiah 2:4 — Swords beaten into plowshares; nations learn war no more.
• the same event in Isaiah 11:6-9 — Peace among the beasts in the Messiah's kingdom.

The Bridegroom's Eternal Betrothal

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. Hosea 2:19–20

Jehovah promises to marry His people forever in righteousness, lovingkindness, mercy, and faithfulness. The New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants call Christ the Bridegroom whose wedding with His prepared people comes at His Second Coming.

• fulfilled by Revelation 19:7 — 'The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.'
• the same title in D&C 133:10 — 'Prepare yourselves for the coming of the Bridegroom.'
• the same title in Matthew 9:15 — Jesus calls Himself the bridegroom.

Mercy to Those Who Were Not His People

And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. Hosea 2:23

The Lord promises mercy to people who had lost it and to call outsiders 'my people.' Paul and Peter teach that this happens through Jesus Christ, who opens His covenant family to all who come to Him.

• quoted by Romans 9:25 — 'I will call them my people, which were not my people.'
• quoted by 1 Peter 2:10 — 'Which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.'