1. Punishment for spiritual adultery (1-13)

The nation of Israel was like an unfaithful wife to God. She chased after other lovers, worshiping the Canaanite gods. She did not acknowledge God as the source of blessing, even though he was the one who had lavished his blessings on her. She said that grain, oil and new wine came from Baal, the Canaanite fertility god. So God would remove the blessings Israel took for granted and expose her sin. The goal of this was to make Israel repent and return to the Lord, her true husband.

2. God allures his people back (14-23)

After his punishment, God would restore his people from the wilderness of exile where he had sent them. He would betroth his people to him again with an even deeper love relationship in the New Covenant. This would cause a chain reaction of love that would spread his blessings across the world. God can open a door of hope even in the valley of trouble.