We have a story of God’s mercy. We are given no reason for God changing His mind. The chapter ends with God saying that He will have mercy on No Mercy and will say, “You are my people” to Not My People.

There was no apparent heart change in the adulterous wife in this story. It is pleaded that she change her ways, but there’s no sign of her changing.

However, God wants to show mercy. God needs faith. God needs repentance. God works with these things from us in order to move.

He’s not getting it from her, but He wants to show mercy. What does He do?

He puts up a hedge of protection in a new way. He’s protecting her from herself. He keeps her from the wrong path. He keeps her from being able to find partners for her adultery. He does it so that she’ll return to her husband.

God has a beautiful plan. He’s going to bring her (Israel) back to Himself. This story is about Hosea and his wife, but it’s really a story about Israel and God. He wants her back.

One poignant moment is when God points out that He gave them the grain, the wine, and the oil that they used for their Baal offerings. It all comes from Him, and they didn’t recognize it.

But God delights in showing mercy. He can’t always do it, but He made an everlasting covenant with Israel and He will keep His promise. They will come back to Him.

God says, “I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.” And He says, “I will make you lie down in safety.”

These are promises for a beloved, chosen people from a good, just, and faithful God.