Hosea 3

The media rarely portrays Israel well, and many in the church have adopted replacement theology, in simple terms, the idea that the church replaced Israel after the new covenant was established. Between the two, it is easy to become confused about what the truth is concerning the Lord’s heart for this nation.

As political climates become more and more shaky, it's important for us all to have a firm understanding of how the Lord loves Israel, and what His word speaks of this chosen nation. Of the passages that address the Lord’s prophetic plan for Israel, Hosea 3 is one of my favorites. It is a clear and concise description of the Lord’s redemptive plan for this nation and how it relates to the second coming of His son, Messiah Yeshua. Much of it has already been fulfilled.

Hosea 3 begins after Gomer has left Hosea for a lifestyle of harlotry.

Then the LORD said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes."


The Lord compares Gomer’s adultery to the Israel’s inability to keep the covenant He established with them, yet rather than acting out of judgment, He show’s mercy.

So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a half of barley.


This is Hosea’s second marriage to Gomer. The silver and barley are the bride-price Hosea paid to again receive Gomer as his wife. Yeshua paid a bride-price of His own life for His beloved.

Then I said to her, "You shall stay with me for many days. You shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man; so I will also be toward you."For the sons of Israel will remain for many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar and without ephod or household idols.


After Gomer was purchased as Hosea’s bride, she was sent into a time of seclusion. This is a prophecy of Israel being exiled into the Diaspora, after she was purchased by the blood of her Messiah. In 70 AD, nearly 40 years after Yeshua’s resurrection, the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews were forced into exile for nearly 2000 years, as a people without a land, and without a place to sacrifice.

Through out the centuries that the Jewish people were in the Diaspora, they were accused of being “cursed” for their unbelief in Jesus, and even blamed for His death. Antisemitism and violent persecution resulted out of this mindset by gentile Christians. In this passage, Lord clarifies that this lack of belief has been His intention to harden them in part until the end of the age.

Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.


In 1948, for the first time in 2000 years, the Jewish people again occupied the land of Israel as an established nation. The “sons of Israel” have returned to the land, fulfilling the first part of this verse. The second part indicates a great move of the Holy Spirit to come on this nation as the Jewish people come “trembling to the Lord,” knowing Yeshua as their Messiah.

callie m.

Related Posts:
Our Ressurrection Adventure
Sojourning: Homesickness

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