Hosea 1 - A Strange Love Story

 

Hosea 1 – A Strange Love Story

 

At the most obvious level, Hosea details a husbands love for his wayward wife, Gomer. Despite her unfaithfulness, the prophet went to great lengths to find Gomer and bring her home. At a deeper level, Hosea’s experience became a living object lesson for the people of Israel. Their spiritual infidelity had wounded the heart of God, yet He loved them and wanted them back. Hosea reveals both the degradation of sin and the tender side of God. A person cannot read this tragic story of tough love and not be moved by the overwhelming love of God for sinners. He loves us despite our mistakes, failures, and self-centered obsessions. Only this kind of unconditional love can transform our souls.

 

Hosea pointed others to God, while Gomer illustrated the depths of sin. Through this marriage, God painted a picture of His relationship with Israel. Hosea showered his wife, Gomer with love despite her chasing other men. God had unconditionally loved Israel despite their pursuing other gods. God loves His people so much that despite their sin, He constantly seeks to bring them to Himself. God demonstrates His own love toward us, “in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

 

We always like stories that end with a Happily Ever After. Hosea’s marriage was hardly that kind of story. God told Hosea, the prophet, to live his prophecies by taking a wife of harlotry. Hosea obeyed, knowing that his heart would be broken through Gomer’s unfaithfulness. God sent His son, Jesus to the cross, knowing that His heart would be broken over and over again through our unfaithfulness.

 

Gomer’s first child was named Jezreel which means “God will scatter.” Jezreel became the name of a famous city where the Northern Kingdom was scattered, and much blood was shed. Her daughter was named Lo-ruhamah, which means “never knew a father’s pity”. God was telling the Israelites through this birth that they will not know God’s pity for He was not their Father. Their gods were their father. The last child was named L0-Ammi which means “not my people”. God was telling the people that they are not His people, and He will not be their God. Judah is the only people he holds out and keeps His promise to David. God is not finished with Israel. In the days to come, God will gather them all back to Him and they will worship Him.

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J.Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.