Hosea's metaphor of Yahweh and Israel as a husband and an unfaithful wife an image played out in the reality of his own marriage to the prostitute Gomer is developed primarily in chapters 1-3. But the deep personal insights Hosea offers into the emotional relationship between God and the people of Israel doesn't cease at that point. Though his message in chapters 4-10 turns to one of judgment against Israel for willful disobedience and arrogant apostasy, the pain this attitude inflicts upon Yahweh is also a part of the prophet's word.

As chapter 11 opens we see clearly why these words forever mark Hosea as the "love prophet" and why these verses constitute a "love chapter." The message of divine judgment now melts into a pool of divine compassion. Yahweh's judging fist unclenches to open …