Hosea 1-2 You Want Me To Do WHAT?

“What was it You just said, God?”

“Go marry a prostitute.  She’s still going to do her thing, and the kids you’ll have (yes, there will be kids) are not going to be the best, either, but I’m using your life to build a living illustration to your nation of what I see in their relationship with Me.”

“Wow …. okay.  One more question … am I also supposed to love her?”

God was looking upon His people, seeing the nation of Israel as a prostitute because they were selling themselves out to the idol Baal.  Instead of reacting as most men would, divorcing her and removing themselves from the whole mess, God instructs Hosea in the amazing way He loves His children.  Despite everything we do to disrupt our relationship with Him by our sin, He pursues us with fervor.  He doesn’t want to leave us where we are in our sin.  Instead, He changes our circumstances, even at times withdrawing the blessings He’s given, to grab our attention once again and focus us on what our sin has done to our relationship with Him.  And though we are unfaithful, He is not.

Father, I’ve witnessed such love from You for me.  It’s unexplainable and unfathomable.  I was just damaged goods, but You loved me and drew me back when I least deserved it.  In the process, You showed me that You forgive, You forget, and You are more concerned with our availability than our ability.  Such love is hard to imagine, but it’s also exactly what You want me to practice.  Forgive me when I fail to love as You have loved me, warts and all.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford