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 […]
The Result of an Affair Lo-Ruhamah is the daughter of Gomer, likely the result of adultery. Her mom, a former prostitute, cheats on her husband, Hosea, and has an affair with someone more appealing. As directed by God, Hosea names his wife’s illegitimate child. He calls her Lo-Ruhamah, which means no pity or not loved. […]
Named After a Notorious Place Jezreel is the first son of Hosea and Gomer. His name is an allusion to a place called Jezreel. Though there are many people in the Bible who have a place named after them, this may be the first time in Scripture we see a person named after a place. […]
Not Marriage Material Gomer (2) is a prostitute. We can assume she offers her body to other men to ensure her survival: food, water, and clothes. Or perhaps she’s merely promiscuous. Either way, she isn’t marriage material. Yet, God’s prophet Hosea marries her anyway. Gomer and Hosea have a son, Jezreel. Then she has two […]
The Prophet Who Marries a Prostitute God speaks to Hosea, son of Beeri. The Almighty calls the young man to be his prophet. In a shocking move, however, God tells Hosea to marry a prostitute. God doesn’t tell Hosea which prostitute to marry. Hosea gets to choose. We don’t know his selection criteria, but he […]
A Shepherd and a Prophet Chronologically, Amos (1) follows Jonah and slightly overlaps with Hosea. He’s also a contemporary of Isaiah. Occupationally he works as a shepherd and doesn’t think of himself as a prophet. In fact, he confirms to the priest Amaziah that he isn’t a prophet nor the son of a prophet. Yet […]
The Child King Josiah is a child when he becomes king, a mere eight years old. He rules for thirty-one years and does right in God’s eyes, just as his ancestor King David had done. Eight years into his reign, which makes him sixteen, he seeks God, just like David. Four years later, he purges […]
Evil King of Israel We find many men throughout Scripture named Zechariah. The Bible may have more Zechariahs in it than any other name. With many obscure mentions throughout the Bible—fifty-nine times in nine books—it’s impossible to determine accurately how many there are, but there are perhaps as many as twenty-two men named Zechariah in […]
A Wise Woman Abigail is an intelligent and beautiful woman. In contrast, her husband, Nabal, is surly and mean; his servants call him wicked and she confirms his name means fool. Nabal is wealthy, with thousands of livestock. David and his men protect Nabel’s herdsmen and flocks, anticipating he will appreciate their efforts and one […]
A Greedy Servant Gets Leprosy Gehazi is the servant of Elisha. The first time we encounter Gehazi is in the story about the Shunammite woman. When her only son dies, she seeks Elisha. Elisha gives his staff to Gehazi and dispatches him. He instructs his servant to rush to the boy and lay the staff […]