Review Outline Hosea is commanded to take a wife of whoredom and have children by her, who will illustrate both God’s retribution and restoration. God spoke to Hosea on several occasions, but “first” spoke in this way. God spoke to Hosea first, by speaking “through” what he wanted him to do. God spoke through Hosea’s marriage and children to the people of “the land.” God spoke through Hosea’s marriage and children primarily to illustrate Israel’s relationship to the LORD. Hosea did what God commanded him to do. Hosea took Gomer as his wife and she bore him three children. God spoke again to Hosea in the naming of each of his three children—each of their names represent the LORD’s retribution on Israel: Jezreel (vv. 3b-5), Hosea’s first child—a son… Lo-ruhama (vv. 6-7), Hosea’s second child—a daughter… Lo-ammi (vv. 8-9), Hosea’s third child—a son… God spoke again to Hosea intending that his children’s names would also include a reversal—each of their names also represent the LORD’s restoration of Israel: