God Commands Hosea to Marry a Prostitute

The very first words God speaks to Hosea: 'Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land has been unfaithful to me.' Hosea obeys. He marries Gomer. She bears him children. God names them: 'Jezreel' (after a massacre), 'Lo-Ruhamah' (Not Loved), 'Lo-Ammi' (Not My People). Then Gomer leaves Hosea for other men. God's command again: 'Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites.' Hosea buys her back for fifteen shekels of silver.