Originally Posted by armourbearer

We have his marriage with Gomer, which taught the people they were under the judgement of God for their whoredoms. Then after an interruption of many months the effect is reproduced in the birth of a child of whoredoms, indicating that these gross idolaters were illegitimate children. This is repeated a second time after many years, with the message God will no longer show mercy on them. Finally, after another long period, when the second child is weaned, the people are finally taught through the birth of Loammi that they are no longer God's people. Are we honestly to believe the prophet's message took all these years to deliver?

Then in chapter 2, we have the prophet forgotting the names of these so-called literal children, leaving off the negative "Lo." He then says he will not have mercy on these children of whoredoms; how so? aren't they supposed to be his children? why are they now regarded as children of whoredoms simply because their mother has gone to play the harlot? and what have they done wrong? The whole chapter makes it as plain as day that these are not literal children, but are rather figures of how God will deal with Israel. That is why the story can revert from the symbol to the reality with flexibility and not require consistency throughout.

Finally, in chapter 3, this literal series of events becomes ludicrous; the prophet now purchases an adulterous woman in addition to Gomer. But it is clear that this is really another parable with new characters, and that the figures of the former parable are forgotten.