Disobedience carries Consequences

Read Hosea 1.

The LORD chose to use Hosea and his family to picture His relationship with the northern kingdom of Israel.  Due to consistent disobedience, God would intervene with judgment against Israel.

1. His wife-Gomer (vv.2-3)
She proved to be an adulterous woman.  The prophet's message from God was his wife's behavior is how Israel treated Him.  The nation was guilty of spiritual adultery, seeking relationships outside the covenant and commit they had with the living God.

2. His first son-Jezreel (vv.4-5)
It was in the Valley of Jezreel where King Jehu slaughtered Israel's King Ahab (2 Kings 9-10).  While it was God's will to rid the nation of Ahab and Jezebel, Jehu also killed several leaders of Judah from the lineage of David.  That seems to be the cause of this pronouncement of judgment here.  The LORD stated that it would be the place of Israel's defeat at the hands of the Assyrians.

3. His daughter-No Mercy (vv.6-7)
Her name, Lo-Ruhamah, means "she is not loved."  Part of the judgment to come against Israel would be that the love of the LORD and His mercy toward them will be withheld for a time.  While the Assyrians conquered Israel and scattered the people in 722 B.C., God continued to show mercy to the southern kingdom of Judah.

4. His second son-Not My People (vv.8-9)
The relationship had been broken.  This judgment from God is based upon the covenant of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience found in Deuteronomy 28.  "And the LORD will scatter you among all the peoples..." (Deuteronomy 28:64) which is exactly what Assyria did to Israel.

"Yet" (v.10) their future hope remains!  God's covenant promises to Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17) is unconditional.  His discipline will last for a time, but restoration of the relationship and the LORD's blessings in the future are assured.  One day, the scattered will be "gathered" and they will be called "Children of the living God."  At that time, there will be "one head" (v.11) of God's people in the land. As the prophets predicted, Messiah will reign from David's throne over Israel.

The principle for us is unmistakable.  Obedience is a choice we make.  God's blessings come as we  maintain a personal, loving relationship with Him.