Hosea Chapter 2

“Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.] These words are to be considered either in connection with the latter part of the preceding chapter, and as directed to the sons of the living God, who had not been, but now were, “Ammi”, the Lord’s people; and who had not, but now have, “Ruhamah”, obtained mercy; which grace and mercy shown them, it became them to speak of one to another, to affect their hearts mutually with it, and to glorify God for it, (<390316>Malachi 3:16) as also to speak of it to their carnal relations, that so, if it was the will of God, it might be of use to them, to show…”

“APPLICATION OF THE SYMBOLS IN THE FIRST CHAPTER. (Hos. 2:1-23) Israel's spiritual fornication, and her threatened punishment: yet a promise of God's restored favor, when chastisements have produced their designed effect. Say . . . unto . . . brethren, Ammi, &c.--that is, When the prediction (Hos 1:11) shall be accomplished, then ye will call one another, as brothers and sisters in the family of God, Ammi and Ruhamah.”

“Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi - that is, “My people, and to your sisters, Ruhamah,” i. e., “beloved or tenderly pitied.” The words form a climax of the love of God. First, the people scattered , unpitied , and disowned by God , is re-born of God; then it is declared to be in continued relation to God, “My people;” then to be the object of his yearning love. The words, “My people,” may be alike filled up, “ye are My people,” and “be ye My people.” They are words of hope in prophecy, “ye shall be again My people;” they become words of joy in each stage of fulfillment. They are words of mutual joy and gratulation,…”

“Ye - Who of no people are made a people, who were once unpitied, but now have obtained mercy. Your brethren - To those of the ten tribes, who are your brethren. Ammi - Let them know that yet they are the people of God, they are still within the covenant of their father Abraham, if they will as their father, walk with God, all shall be well. Hosea 2:2”

“2:1 Ammi—‘My people’: God will also restore the name of the third child to its covenantal meaning. • Ruhamah—‘The ones I love’: Israel will once again be the object of God’s love and compassion.”

“unto: Hos 1:9-11 Ammi: That is, My people, Exo 19:5, Exo 19:6; Jer 31:33, Jer 32:38; Eze 11:20, Eze 36:28, Eze 37:27; Zac 13:9 Ruhamah: That is, Having obtained mercy, Hos 2:23; Rom 11:30, Rom 11:31; Co2 4:1; Ti1 1:13; Pe1 2:10 Hosea 2:2”

“To confirm the certainty of this most joyful turn of events, the promise closes with the summons in Hosea 2; Hos 1:1-11 : "Say ye to your brethren: My people; and to your sisters, Favoured." The prophet "sees the favoured nation of the Lord (in spirit) before him, and calls upon its members to accost one another joyfully with the new name which had been given to them by God" (Hengstenberg). The promise attaches itself in form to the names of the children of the prophet. As their names of ill omen proclaimed the judgment of rejection, so is the salvation which awaits the nation in the future announced to it here…”