Footballer David Beckham called his daughter ″Harper Seven″, actress Gwyneth Paltrow called her daughter ″Apple″, and musician Frank Zappa named his daughter ″Moon Unit″. Yet none of these are as shocking as the names God now tells Hosea to give his children. With each name, we see how hurt God is by His people's spiritual adultery, and how He will ultimately take action.

Hosea's first son will be called ″Jezreel″ (Hosea 1:4), after the place where an entire royal house of Israel had been butchered (2 Kings 9:21-10:10). It is meant to shock and warn Israel about what God is going to do.

When Gomer conceives again and gives birth to a daughter (Hosea 1:6), the girl is to bear the terrible name ″Lo-Ruhamah″. It means ″not loved″, for that is how God feels about His people. Their sin has so hurt Him that He will no longer love or forgive them.

Most distressing of all is the last child's name (v. 8): ″Lo-Ammi″, which means ″not my people″. Yet God had said to Moses, ″I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God″ (Exodus 6:7). Could this really be the end?

It is dangerous to presume on God's love. Is this a danger for you?

Yet, just when all seems lost, God speaks again. God remembers His promise to Abraham (Hosea 1:10, see Genesis 15:5). The promise of a vast people is still on track. And His promise to King David (Hosea 1:11, see 2 Samuel 7) of a united people with one king is also on track.

″Great will be the day of Jezreel″ (Hosea 1:11). Yes, Jezreel stands for bloody massacre, but the word also means ″God sows″. Therefore, ″Jezreel″ is both a warning of judgement and a promise of a future harvest.

Hosea didn't know how God would hold those two together, but God's Son would one day hang on a cross, and His anger and faithfulness would meet there. Jesus would be shown no mercy so that God could have a people who would be shown mercy.

Heavenly Father, thank you that because of Jesus I can be your child and know mercy, amen.