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As with all true marriages the purpose of marriage is the propagation of a family, tribe, nation or even the human race. Their first child was a son who was to be named Jezreel, (meaning, God scatters.) It was to be a warning to Israel that they had gone too far in their false worship and the Lord was about to judge them. Their kingdom was about to be extinguished by the Lord. Hos. 2:4 The prophets of Israel constantly cried out against the nation because of their backslidings.
Adding to the family only brought further condemnation against Israel. The second child was a girl whom the Lord named Lo-ruhamah, (meaning, not pitied, not favored, not loved.) Israel because of their wickedness had fallen out of favor with the Lord. The Lord proclaimed that He would no longer show the mercy and the deep concern for Israel as He had in the past. Not only that but He said He would utterly take them away, or remove them out of the land. Hos. 1:6.
These births with the subsequent prophetic messages covered a period of years. The next birth did not take place until the second child had been weaned. It gives evidence of the patience and restraint of the Lord in not immediately visiting with judgment and punishment. Hos. 1:8 The third son, a boy, was named Lo-ammi, (not my people.) This is the key to a proper understanding of what the Lord will do in relationship to His church. How many times in the Old Testament do we find Israel being rejected by the Lord because of their heathenish worship and their forsaking the Lord. Note Hos. 4:6
Now, in order to be a part of the people of God it is necessary to be a son of God. One born of the Spirit and the Word. A way that is opened wide to all nations, tongues and peoples. No one will be excluded providing they approach the Lord following His plan and purpose. The gathering of all nations must be unto the Lord Jesus and is a spiritual matter, not a political or secular matter. Hos. 1:10-11 In spite of having been rejected the way is now open to be the true people of the Lord. Once again, it is the way which the Lord has prepared. If we try some other way, then Jesus said, that the same is a thief and a robber. Religion or race will not be taken into consideration as the Lord makes up His Bride in the end of the age. To try to gain a place in the plan of the Lord by any other means other than that which the Lord has stipulated can only result in failure.