“TAKE TO YOURSELF A WIFE OF FORNICATION”

(Hosea 1:1–3:5)

Jehovah tells Hosea: “Go, take to yourself a wife of fornication.” (Hosea 1:2) Hosea obeys and has a son by Gomer. The next two children she gives birth to are evidently illegitimate. The meanings of their names, Lo-ruhamah and Lo-ammi, point to Jehovah’s withholding mercy from Israel and rejecting his disloyal people.

How does Jehovah actually feel about his rebellious people? He tells Hosea: “Go once again, love a woman loved by a companion and committing adultery, as in the case of Jehovah’s love for the sons of Israel while they are turning to other gods.”​—Hosea 3:1.

“JEHOVAH HAS A LEGAL CASE”

(Hosea 4:1–13:16)

“Jehovah has a legal case with the inhabitants of the land.” Why? Because “there is no truth nor loving-kindness nor knowledge of God in the land.” (Hosea 4:1) The renegade people of Israel have engaged in defrauding and bloodshed and have committed physical and spiritual fornication. Rather than looking to God for help, “to Egypt they have called; to Assyria they have gone.”​—Hosea 7:11.

Jehovah declares his judgment, saying: “Israel must be swallowed down.” (Hosea 8:8) The kingdom of Judah is not free of guilt. “Jehovah has a legal case with Judah,” states Hosea 12:2, “even to hold an accounting against Jacob according to his ways; according to his dealings he will repay him.” But restoration is certain, for God promises: “From the hand of Sheol I shall redeem them; from death I shall recover them.”​—Hosea 13:14.

“THE WAYS OF JEHOVAH ARE UPRIGHT”

(Hosea 14:1-9)

Hosea pleads: “Do come back, O Israel, to Jehovah your God, for you have stumbled in your error.” He urges people to say to Jehovah: “May you pardon error; and accept what is good, and we will offer in return the young bulls of our lips.”​—Hosea 14:1, 2.

A repentant wrongdoer should come to Jehovah, accept his ways, and offer to him sacrifices of praise. Why? Because “the ways of Jehovah are upright, and the righteous are the ones who will walk in them.” (Hosea 14:9) How we rejoice that many will yet “certainly come quivering to Jehovah and to his goodness in the final part of the days”!​—Hosea 3:5.