Hosea 2:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is important to expand upon what has previously been discussed. Having established that all will come under a single dominion, devoid of any division or conflict, rather thriving in harmony and unity through faith in Christ, the Spirit ultimately needed to instruct those who had been strengthened in faith and embraced Christ—not to stray from peace with those rightfully designated as 'my people' and 'the forgiven.' Given that Israel was once embraced by God, baptized, and yielded to Christ, is it not fitting for those called to brotherhood through the same spirit of adoption to foster unity rather than discord?

You will proclaim to your brothers: my people, even though they have been referred to as: not my people. And to your sisters: forgiven, although they have been called: unforgiven (Hosea 1:6, 9). Observe how names are transformed: the Righteous Judge assigned dishonorable labels, yet the Father's kindness, in His generosity, removes them.

Speak to your brethren: My people, and to your sisters: forgiven. LXX: Declare to your brother, My people, and to your sister, Forgiven. For the day of Jezreel is significant, when Judah and Israel will unite under one leader, no longer referring to Israel as Not My people, but rather recognizing them as the sons of the living God. Therefore, you, men of the tribe of Judah, do not lose hope for the salvation of the ten tribes. Instead, through your conversations, daily prayers, and written words, encourage them toward repentance: for your brethren are addressed as 'brother' because it is declared to them, My people, and 'sister' because they are known as forgiven.

It is thus instructed, considering the shift in circumstances, to rename the children of the Prophet. The child who was not known as My people is to be called My people, and the one previously identified as unloved shall be referred to as My beloved. For you, declares the Lord, having received redemption and returning from Babylon, will bring judgment upon Me and your mother, representing your ancestors who have sinned against Me. For she is not My spouse, nor am I her husband. The separation is proclaimed, He states, due to the offenses she has committed. A similar message is echoed in Isaiah: "And now, O house of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem, judge between Me and My vineyard: For I had hoped for it to yield grapes, yet it produced wild grapes" (Isaiah 5:3, 4). Here, God proclaims: