“In that day” everything will change, for out of her despondency, Israel will once again be the Bride of God. God will woo His people, He will show His unfailing love to them in a variety of ways, and out of captivity and return, they will once again return to Him.
Yet we need to bear in mind that this is a prophecy to the Northern Kingdom, Israel. Their return wasn’t as clear as that of the Southern Kingdom, Judah. There were no more recognizable tribes there, they were never again accepted as being Jews, but instead were rejected and scorned as the Samaritans. Some might try to dispute this, but this prophecy did not find its real fulfillment in the remnant that returned to Samaria but is instead found only in Christ.
Our text here describes in highly figurative language the establishment of a New Covenant, called here a new “betrothal” between God and His people (2:19). Notice the language of love that the Lord uses here and we can see how difficult it must have been for Him to have had need to execute judgment upon them. So many people read the Old Testament and think they see an angry God who is anxious to smite somebody. Yet reading these verses, we can see that such a view is miles from the real story.
In the last three verses, once again in highly figurative language, we see that the entirety of Creation will rejoice when that day comes, the day of the New Covenant in Christ’s blood, the covenant that made everything New again.
In the next chapter, a very short one, we see this same story in a different light. We will see that chapter two actually links together the story of Hosea’s marriage, the adultery of Gomer and then their reconciliation. As we read it, we may even come to realize that the first three chapters of this book actually tell the very same story, but that will have to wait for next time.
Life Project Blog 
Are you sure none of the northern tribes were identifiable after their Assyrian captivity?
Of course, I wasn’t present at the time, but I’m not aware of a verifiable report to the contrary. If anyone else is, I’d like to hear about it!
I was always told none of the ten were identifiable after the Assyrian captivity. Maybe I read it wrong, but II Chronicles 30 mentions Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulun and Assur in regard to the Passover. And Anna in Luke was of the Tribe of Assur. What do you think?
It’s so hard to say because even if you’re on the right track, and I’m not going to say that you are wrong, there isn’t any evidence to firm it up. Of course, that isn’t to say that it isn’t an interesting thought.
Just quoting.