Not My People

Hosea 2:23 and Romans 9:24-26 are both passages from the Bible that discuss the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles. Here's an explanation of their connection:

Hosea 2:23 (NIV) says: "I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one.' I will say to those called 'Not my people,' 'You are my people'; and they will say, 'You are my God.'"

In this verse from the Old Testament, the prophet Hosea speaks of God's intention to restore and reconcile Israel, who had strayed from Him, and bring them back into a loving relationship. He also mentions that those who were once called "Not my people" will become "God's people."

Romans 9:24-26 (NIV) says: "Even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? As he says in Hosea: 'I will call them "my people" who are not my people; and I will call her "my loved one" who is not my loved one,' and, 'In the very place where it was said to them, "You are not my people," there they will be called "children of the living God.'"

Hosea 2:23, found in the Old Testament, initially pertains to God's relationship with the people of Israel. It conveys God's intention to reconcile with the Israelites, who had strayed from their covenant with Him. The verse signifies God's desire to renew the covenant and reestablish a loving bond with them. In this context, "You are my people" represents God's promise to restore His relationship with the Israelites.

In Romans 9:24-26, the apostle Paul references Hosea's prophecy to convey a broader theological message. Paul's intent is to highlight the inclusive and redemptive nature of God's plan for salvation. He uses Hosea's words to emphasize that God's grace and mercy are not confined solely to the Israelites but extend to the Gentiles as well. Paul's quotation of Hosea underscores the universal scope of God's love and His intention to include people from all backgrounds. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that God's plan includes not only the Jews but also the Gentiles. Paul is making the point that through faith in Yahshua the Messiah, Gentiles who were once considered "Not my people" by God will now be called "children of the living God," just as Hosea prophesied.

In summary, while Hosea 2:23 initially addresses the Israelites, Paul in Romans 9:24-26 employs Hosea's prophecy to express the expansive and inclusive nature of God's mercy and redemptive plan. It demonstrates that God's love encompasses not only the Israelites but also the Gentiles, emphasizing the universality of His grace and the invitation for all to become members of God's family through faith. These verses together convey the enduring message of God's boundless love and His desire to reconcile and redeem all who turn to Him in faith.

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