As we saw in Hosea 1:5, the bow is an image of military strength. At the time of Hosea’s ministry, the bow was actually one of the most devastating weapons of warfare. Thus the breaking of the bow indicates peace in the land, the absence of both warring and worry, for there is no need for self-defence. Though the entire northern kingdom of Israel would fall to Assyria a few decades later, the breaking of the bow anticipates an end to their dominance and the establishment of God’s people in the land again. Though in that day there will be no more warfare, conquest, or fear. Dearman1 says that by abolishing it, God is promising not only the end of strife but also the removal of judgment and prevalence of security.
Hubbard2 ties this promise to the concept of shalom: both the absence of military threat as well as animals no longer posing a threat to the people or their crops. We can understand this as a reversal of God’s curse in Genesis 3:17–18, while it is also certainly an indication that the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:1–68 will only be temporary, eventually giving way to Israel’s total transformation as a result of God’s grace.
20 En ce jour-là, je traiterai pour eux une alliance avec les bêtes des champs, les oiseaux du ciel et les reptiles de la terre, je briserai dans le pays l'arc, l'épée et la guerre, et je les ferai reposer avec sécurité.