Hosea 2:18-23

18 At that time I will make an agreement for them with the wild animals, the birds, and the crawling things. I will smash from the land the bow and the sword and the weapons of war, so my people will live in safety.

19 And I will make you my promised bride forever. I will be good and fair; I will show you my love and mercy.

20 I will be true to you as my promised bride, and you will know the Lord.

21 "At that time I will speak to you," says the Lord. "I will speak to the skies, and they will give rain to the earth.

22 The earth will produce grain, new wine, and oil; much will grow because my people are called Jezreel.

23 I will plant my people in the land, and I will show pity to the one I had called 'not shown pity.' I will say, 'You are my people' to those I had called 'not my people.' And they will say to me, 'You are our God.'"

Hosea 2:18-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 2

This chapter is an explanation of the former, proceeding upon the same argument in more express words. The godly Israelites are here called upon to lay before the body of the people their idolatry, ingratitude, obstinacy, and ignorance of the God of their mercies; and to exhort them to repentance, lest they should be stripped of all their good things, and be brought into great distress and difficulties; all their joy and comfort cease, and be exposed to shame and contempt, Ho 2:1-13, yet, notwithstanding, many gracious promises are made unto them, of their having the alluring and comfortable word of the Gospel; of a door of hope; of salvation being opened to them; of faith in the Lord, and affection to him as their husband; of the removal of all idolatry from them; of safety from all enemies; of their open espousal to Christ; of his hearing of their prayers, and giving them plenty of all good things; and of their multiplication, conversion, and covenant relation to God, Ho 2:14-23.