The book of Hosea tells of God’s everlasting love through the illustration of Hosea’s marriage. God tells Hosea, “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.” So, Hosea married Gomer. They had three kids. God told Hosea to name them Jezreel which means (for I am about to punish King Jeshu’s dynasty to avenge the murders he has committed to Jezreel), Lo-ruhamah which means “Not Loved” (for I will no longer show love to the people of Israel for forgive them), and Lo-ammi which means “Not my people” (for Israel is not my people, and I am not their God).
In chapter two verses 1 – 13 he tells of all the charges against Gomer, but in verses 14 – 23 he tells of the redemption that will come. In verse 14 he says, “I will win her back once again. I will her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.” Verse 16 says, “When that day comes,” says the LORD, “you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master’.” Verse 23 says, “I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to those I called ‘Not my people’. I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ And they will reply, ‘You are our God.’” Chapter 3 says, “Then the lord said to me, ‘Go and love your wife again. This will illustrate that God still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.’ So I (Hosea) bought her back.”
But how does this really relate to our relationship with Christ? What can we really learn from a prostitute? God uses prostitution a couple of times in the Bible as he describes Israel.
Gomer- A prostitute. But still God loved her though she was unclean, God even gave her a husband who loved her so much, and wanted her even though she wouldn’t leave prostitution behind her. Every time Gomer left, Hosea went after her and brought her back knowing she would leave again. And his love for her never was lost.
Israel – a beautiful nation that God set apart as his chosen people. He saved His people from slavery, and brought them to the promise land, yet they turned away from him. Still, God loved them, and provided their needs. But still they turned from His love and grace.
God’s love for us is explained to us as a love a husband has for his wife. We the church are the bride of Christ. But what does it mean to be the bride of Christ? Our love for Him will never compare to His love for us. Yet He still claims us as His. He still pursues us when He is the last thing we want. His love never wavers. He didn’t claim us not knowing if the marriage would last or not. He claims us knowing this would be an everlasting commitment. He vowed to love us no matter what has happened, or what will happen, for better or for worse, for richer or poor, sickness or in health, and to love us and cherish us for eternity.
In chapter two verses 1 – 13 he tells of all the charges against Gomer, but in verses 14 – 23 he tells of the redemption that will come. In verse 14 he says, “I will win her back once again. I will her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.” Verse 16 says, “When that day comes,” says the LORD, “you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master’.” Verse 23 says, “I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to those I called ‘Not my people’. I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ And they will reply, ‘You are our God.’” Chapter 3 says, “Then the lord said to me, ‘Go and love your wife again. This will illustrate that God still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.’ So I (Hosea) bought her back.”
But how does this really relate to our relationship with Christ? What can we really learn from a prostitute? God uses prostitution a couple of times in the Bible as he describes Israel.
Gomer- A prostitute. But still God loved her though she was unclean, God even gave her a husband who loved her so much, and wanted her even though she wouldn’t leave prostitution behind her. Every time Gomer left, Hosea went after her and brought her back knowing she would leave again. And his love for her never was lost.
Israel – a beautiful nation that God set apart as his chosen people. He saved His people from slavery, and brought them to the promise land, yet they turned away from him. Still, God loved them, and provided their needs. But still they turned from His love and grace.
God’s love for us is explained to us as a love a husband has for his wife. We the church are the bride of Christ. But what does it mean to be the bride of Christ? Our love for Him will never compare to His love for us. Yet He still claims us as His. He still pursues us when He is the last thing we want. His love never wavers. He didn’t claim us not knowing if the marriage would last or not. He claims us knowing this would be an everlasting commitment. He vowed to love us no matter what has happened, or what will happen, for better or for worse, for richer or poor, sickness or in health, and to love us and cherish us for eternity.
His love never fails
