Felipe Fruto Ll. Ramirez, S.J. (“Hosea 3:1–5: Afterwards the Israelites Shall Repent and Seek the Lord Their God”) presents an exegetical essay on Hos. 3:1–5 in which he finds three elements that are inextricably linked with one another and which are essential for communicating the integral message of the prophet: allegory, interpretation, and outcome. Narrated as a first-person account, Hosea’s life story is an allegory meant to convey a prophetic message to Israel. All his actions have symbolic meanings which are explained in the storytelling process and interpreted in terms of their significance and import for the nation. The interpretation comes in the form of a comparison—how God will deal with his people—while the outcome spells out what is in store for Israel’s future; punishment (v. 4) along with its healing effect (v. 5) are thus foretold. “The divine strategy of loving Israel despite her infidelity and of divesting the nation of its government and cult for many days triumphs and elicits repentance from the people: “afterwards the Israelites will repent and seek the Lord their God” (20). – From the Editor’s Preface