Day 169 – Hosea: Hosea’s wayward wife
“When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshipping other gods.” Hosea 1:2 NLT
Read Hosea 1:1 to Hosea 3:5
Commanded by God, Hosea obeyed the Lord and married a woman who would be unfaithful to him and would cause him many heartaches. Just as Gomer lost interest in Hosea and ran after other lovers, we, too, can easily lose appreciation for our special relationship with God and pursue dreams and goals that do not include Him. When we compromise our Christian distinctives and adopt the ways of the world, we are being unfaithful.
Using his life, Hosea highlights the parallels between his relationship with Gomer and God’s relationship with Israel. Although the people made a covenant with the one true God, they have gone after false gods. In the same way, Hosea marries Gomer, knowing ahead of time that she will leave him. He tenderly deals with his wife in spite of her sin. And God is merciful toward His people despite their sins. God has not changed; He is still merciful and forgiving and loves us despite our sins.
Prayer: Father, thank You that in spite of my sins, You still love me and included me in Your redemption plan. Thank You, Jesus, for forgiveness of my sins and that it was love that kept You on the cross. Please forgive my wayward ways and the times I am unfaithful to You. Thank You for reminding us that You are merciful and have not changed. Amen.
