Hosea 1-3

Hosea 1-3

Many of us are familiar with the book of Hosea.  But for those of you who are not, here is a quick recap over the first three chapters.  God tells Hosea to go and marry a prostitute.  This prostitute is a symbol for what Israel and Judah have become – these nations have been unfaithful to their God.  So Hosea gets up and marries a prostitute named Gomer.  They have three children, a son daughter, and another son.  God has Hosea name his first son Jezreel “because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.  In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.” His daughter is named Lo-Ruhamah which mean “not loved”, and Hosea’s final son was named Lo-Ammi which means “not my people”.  Basically God has Hosea name his kids these names to show how He feels about Israel and Judah.  Then after all of this, Gomer leaves her husband to return to the life of prostitution.  God then instructs Hosea to take back his wife, which Hosea has to pay a large sum of money in order to regain her.  And so Hosea takes her back.

It has always baffled me how in this story God tells Hosea to marry a prostitute, and then the next sentence Hosea marries a prostitute.  I mean, I don't know about you, but I would definitely be arguing with God on this one.  But Hosea does not hesitate.  He trusts God so much, that he willing and quickly fulfills the will of God.  If only I would trust God half as much as Hosea does, and just take that step of faith in the things God calls me to do.  

Although this book paints a picture during the times of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Jeroboam, this book is a great reminder for how God is with us today!  Unfortunately, there are many times that I willfully choose to sin.  Furthermore, there was a time in my life that I was completely dead and a slave to this sin.  But God, in his grace and mercy, sent his Son to save me (a slave to sin) and he paid the ultimate price for my salvation from this sin.  And even though I have fallen several times since becoming a Christian, Jesus is always quick to receive me with open arms.