His Name Means “Not My People”
Lo-Ammi is the son of Gomer. Given what his name means, he is also the result of adultery, just like Lo-Ruhamah. He may have the same biological father as Lo-Ruhamah, or they may have different dads. Regardless, Hosea is not his father.
Again, it is God who gives him his name, not his mother, biological father, or stepdad. The name Lo-Ammi means not my people, which carries a double implication.
In a direct way, his name reminds all that Hosea is not his father. Each time Hosea calls to Lo-Ammi, he effectively says, “Come here, ‘son who is not mine’.”
More importantly, there is a deeper spiritual meaning, which is God’s focus. In this way, Lo-Ammi personifies God’s people. Because of their repeated rejection of God, he will reject them. He will disown them, saying, “You are not my people.”
Yet he will only turn from them for a time. He looks forward to the day when he can change their name from “You are not my people” (that is, Lo-Ammi), to “children of the living God.”
What name does God have for us as an individual?
How can we better embrace the truth that as Jesus’s followers we are children of the living God?
[Read about Lo-Ammi in Hosea 1:8–10 and Hosea 2:23. Discover more in 1 John 3:1.]
Learn about 100 more biblical characters in More Old Testament Sinners and Saints, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Get your copy today.
More Old Testament Sinners and Saints is part of the Bible Character Sketches series.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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