Emphasis Preaching Journal
Prophets seldom have a kindly...
Illustration
Prophets seldom have a kindly word to speak to the people. In addition, Hosea is asked to use embarrassing means to get his message through to the people -- he is to marry a woman of ill repute, and then name his children by her the most dreadful names with meanings that have no flattery in them at all. Yet despite the harshness, there is a word of promise still spoken to the people. New names can be given that offer an entirely new outlook on life.