Hosea 1:1—2:1: What's in a Name?
WHY WERE YOU given the name that you have? Were you named after a relative or a famous person? The names of Hosea's children are chosen by the Lord because of their meaning. When you see their names, you may be grateful that it was your parents who chose your name!
Warming Up to God
Jesus' name, as well as Hosea's, means "the Lord saves" in Hebrew. How is the name of Jesus meaningful to you?
Read Hosea 1:1—2:1. »
Discovering the Word
- In 1:1—2:1 how do the names of Hosea's children play a key part in his message and ministry?
- How do you react to God's calling Hosea to marry an adulterous wife (v. 2, in Hebrew, "a whore")?
- Hosea names his firstborn Jezreel (vv. 4-5) after a valley where many bloody massacres had taken place. What would it have been like to have a name like Auschwitz, Hiroshima, Wounded Knee or Tiananmen Square?
- The translation of the name Lo-Ruhamah (v. 6) is "not loved." How would this name speak to the people of Israel?
- In the midst of the judgment of God, how would the reversal of the names in verses 1:10—2:1 give the people hope?
Applying the Word
- Some find it offensive that God called Hosea to marry a whore, yet the point was to characterize God's people as being as unfaithful as a prostitute. How are you unfaithful to God?
- In 1:10—2:1 God's reaction to the unfaithfulness is unexpected. What does it mean to you to be one of God's people?
- The good news of 1:10—2:1 is realized today in Jesus Christ. Remember that those you meet today are loved by God and that he calls them his children. If you have an opportunity, offer this message of good news to someone else.
Responding in Prayer
Each of us is prone to wander away from God at times. Thank God for his love and forgiveness in your life.
For Further Study
Hosea by Dale Larsen & Sandy Larsen