Prophets deliver messages of chastisement and also messages of consolation, but why does Hoshea combine both in a single prophecy? Rashi cites a Midrash that compares the situation to a king who wants to divorce his wife. He sends for a sofer[1] to write a get[2] but before the sofer arrives, the couple reconciles. Once the sofer arrives, the king figures he has to do something with him, so he has the sofer write a document doubling the value of his wife’s kesubah[3].

1. Scribe                   2. Bill of divorce                3. Marriage contract