God instructs the prophet Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute, to represent God's relationship with Israel. Hosea and Gomer have three children whose names represent God's punishment of Israel for abandoning him - Jezreel ("God sows"), Lo-Ruhamah ("not loved"), and Lo-Ammi ("not my people"). However, God promises that one day he will restore his relationship with Israel and the people will return to being his cherished people once again.