Hosea 3

The Love of the LORD for Unfaithful Israel

Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. Hosea 3:1

The Lord tells Hosea to keep loving his unfaithful wife, and says this pictures His own love for Israel even while they worship other gods. Jehovah, Christ, is the Husband whose love does not quit.

• interprets Hosea 1:2 — Explains the meaning of the marriage Hosea was commanded to make.

Bought Back: The Redeemer

So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: Hosea 3:2

Hosea pays a price to buy his wife back from the life she fell into. A redeemer is someone who pays to set another free. This pictures Christ paying for His people with His own life.

• a type of what is in 1 Corinthians 6:20 — 'Ye are bought with a price.'
• a type of what is in 1 Peter 1:18-19 — Redeemed not with silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ.

David Their King (the Messiah)

David — 'beloved'; here the royal name of the Messiah from David's line

Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days. Hosea 3:5

King David had been dead for centuries, so 'David their king' in the latter days means the promised Son of David, Jesus Christ. Scattered Israel will come back to the LORD and to Christ their King.

• the same title in Jeremiah 30:9 — 'They shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.'
• the same title in Ezekiel 34:23-24 — 'One shepherd ... even my servant David.'
• fulfilled by Luke 1:32 — Jesus receives 'the throne of his father David.'