Hosea 1

God commands Hosea to marry a woman of harlotry (either she was already a harlot or she was an imminently potential one). His heathen wife Gomer represents the one sided covenant relationship between God and His faithless people. God told Hosea to name their children with deeply significant meanings;
1. Jezreel - name means "God will scatter", God will avenge the blood of Ahab and take vengeance upon Jehu for reckless mass murder
2. Lo-Ruhamah - name means "not pitied", God will judge Israel and will pull away their blessings
3. Lo-Ammi - name means "not my people", God disowns Israel. v9 I will not be your God
After such a bleak introduction of this book, the conclusion of this chapter is rather hopeful. God tells Hosea that He will embrace His people again after His judgement is exercised, both Israel and Judah will gather together together and appoint one head which is a reference to the Messiah (appoint Jesus??? don't understand).

Prayer/response:
- Remember that God is faithful
- Remember my worth
- Put more effort into deeper and longer prayers