Hosea 2-3

Chapter 2

God outlines his anger and punishment against Israel. God emphasizes the adultery theme which is consistent with the previous chapter. Likewise from chapter 1, we can presume that this chapter is focusing on Israel and not Judah.

Interestingly, God will cease Israel's celebrations, which include the Sabbath days and annual feasts. (v. 11) This is interesting for a number of reasons. For instance, God is causing the cease in these days. God does not want these things given the state of Israel.

Further, the Sabbath is now likened to a "celebration" and a "festival". So, the perspective of the Sabbath has shifted from no work under penalty of death (Numbers), to priests must do work (animal sacrifices), God directing soldiers to march around Jericho on the Sabbath (Joshua), to the guards can alternate doing work on the Sabbath and many soldiers participating in a coup d'etat on the Sabbath (from Joash's rebellion against his aunt), to now the Sabbath is likened to a festival.

The end of the chapter focuses on a restoration of Israel to God.

Chapter 3

God tells Hosea to then go reconcile with his wife because she is committing adultery with another man. This is analogous to God's reconciliation with Israel after them committing adultery. This was also precisely the thing that Proverbs warned about with marrying a woman who was promiscuous.

It also appears that Hosea's marriage was actually a prostitution arrangement in that he literally paid a prostitute to be his wife. Yoink!