The weirdest couple in God's book

 

                                            

                                                                             Hosea and Gomer

                                                            

  God gave Hosea, the prophet, a challenging assignment. He lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during Jeroboam the second’s reign, and the nation had exchanged worship of God for Baal. In our society, where every religion is considered of equal merit, this may not appear drastic. Yet God had chosen Israel, delivered them from powerful enemies, and given them the land which he had promised to Abraham, their founding father. Although they had agreed to keep God’s laws and be his people, succeeding generations forgot and ignored God’s miraculous deliverance. They created lifeless idols and offered them sacrifices, a gross insult and violation of God’s love for his people.

 So, what was Hosea’s assignment?

 “Go, marry a prostitute, and create a family with her.”

 Hosea must have found this quite repulsive, wouldn’t you say? If Gomer preferred the finery and riches of her lovers, Hosea’s home life would be heartbreaking. Marriage is based on mutual trust and faithfulness, on expecting each partner to support the other.

 Why would God give Hosea such a task which flouted God’s standards for marriage?

Gomer gave birth to three children, a son named Jezreel, a daughter, Lo-Ruhamah, and a second son, Lo-Ammi, because each name bore a message for the nation.

 God named Jezreel after the place where King Jehu conducted a massacre. He represented violence in Israel that God condemned. Lo-Ruhamah’s name meant ‘not loved’ because God would not show his love to Israel, and he would disown his people. They did not want him. Lo-Ammi means ‘not my people, and I am not your God.’

It seems Gomer found no satisfaction among her lovers. Under God’s prompting, Hosea pursued her and redeemed her with silver shekels, the coinage of his day. Her faithfulness to Hosea was expected; his own devotion mirroring God’s love for His people. He cared, although she had rejected him, and though God no longer expressed his love for Israel, it had not waned. In his mercy, he remained faithful, regardless of their unfaithfulness, waiting until they were desperate enough to seek him again.

When enemies had attacked Israel, they formed alliances with neighbouring nations and sought help from their adopted gods rather than from God. They ignored evidence in their history and the Lord's commandment to worship him only.

Jeremiah in his prophecy described God as Israel's husband, lamenting the shattered covenant they had made with him. He had led them with cords of human kindness (Hosea 11:4) and drawn close to them with ties of love. Through Hosea, he encouraged them to sow righteousness and break up unploughed ground. It was time to seek the Lord again until he would shower righteousness upon them. The sacrifices or rituals were worthless if they didn't love, stay loyal, and worship him.

 Recently, as I waited in an airport lounge, I met a man who believed God must love him because he had a beautiful wife and two daughters. He was educated, wealthy, and lived in a salubrious harbourside suburb. Yet, he was not entirely happy because of the pressures of his employment, which demanded constant travel. God loves this man and his family and God's love is unconditional. The man assured me he reads the Bible, and he has a deep reverence for Jesus, but I am not sure whether he understands God loved his people even before he had created them and has kept loving them even after they had sinned against him. Our good deeds will never outweigh our mistakes. I pray this man discovers God's grace is sufficient to give him eternal life. Our good works are fruit, not credits to get us into heaven when we die.

So how have we sinned? What man has ever fully loved his wife as Christ loved the church? What wife has honoured her husband as Jesus honoured his heavenly Father? Has anyone ever kept all ten commandments apart from Jesus? Despite our failures, God still loves us, pursuing us, protecting us, and asking us to believe in and rely on his grace and mercy. He loves you, regardless of your past.

 Perhaps your time in God’s word has waned, or you have never been a Bible reader. You feel as spiritually dry as unploughed ground, producing little fruit for God. Your relationship with Jesus may be shallow or non-existent. Let me assure you that as you turn the pages of the Bible and contemplate the message, God will speak to you, and he will sow seeds of truth, righteousness, and love in you. Why would you resist his love when he has never forgotten you?

Hosea’s name means ‘deliverance,’ and his prophecy concludes with these words:
The Lord’s ways are right, and the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble. Hosea 14:9b.

We may resist God because of fear of the unknown, the lure of instant pleasure, or because eternity seems distant. But our lifespan is finite, life after death is real, and we need to seek God and his righteousness before it is too late. Have you heeded his warning and discovered he has loved you with an everlasting love? Let’s appreciate how much he loves us and find peace in his presence. Wisdom is to listen to God and let him drown the dissenting voices which lead us into a deep pit of dissatisfaction. Jesus has done everything necessary to save us, and we just need to accept his sacrifice as sufficient payment for our sins, and give our lives to him.

 “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2.