I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. Hosea 11:4 (Hosea)
This is one of the saddest, filthiest stories in the Bible. God calls Hosea to marry a woman that will not be faithful to him. Hosea honors his wife Gomer, but he cannot love her enough to hold her to his heart and home. She repeatedly chases after men that satisfy her lust for luxury. Eventually she becomes captive to prostitution and Hosea goes and redeems her from bondage.
Like Gomer, the children of Israel refuse to put away their adulterous love of Baal and their desire to seek wealth and power from the land. God’s people, His Bride, refuse to remain faithful to the covenant they made. Within the sanctity of Holy matrimony, or covenant relationship, there is safety and security, a haven from the world. This is God’s design for man and woman and Himself and humanity.
Nothing grieves God more than watching the children He created worship and adore idols made of sticks and stones, inanimate objects created by His hand, and void of any supernatural power. Hosea’s life story parallels Israel’s idolatry, wickedness, captivity and restoration. Our sins pains our loving, Heavenly Father, but we are not loved on our merit, but on His choice and character. No matter what you have done or where you are coming from, you are, and always will be, loved and cherished!
Have a lovely day,
Gretchen