When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, "Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD." 3 So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim Hosea1:1-2
"Why do you put up with her Hosea?"
"Can't you see that she just uses you?"
"Look at what that tramp is doing now! Another guy?? Who is it this time?"
"C'mon Hosea, stand up for yourself! Divorce that unfaithful hussy now!"
I imagine these were the kind of things Hosea's friends were saying... (The last comment probably came from his mother!!)
It couldn't have been easy to be Hosea.
-To marry a woman who would break his heart and trust again and again.
-To act as father and protector to "children of unfaithfulness."
-To live in the humilation of being the husband spurned.
But God asked this of Hosea to wake Israel up.
Israel needed to see God's heart through the life of the prophet.
I can only imagine that something supernatural happened in Hosea's heart. I think he would trump all the critical comments and questions with one simple answer: "But I love her."
God could crumple us up like a failed experiment.
When we look at how unfaithful and broken we are it seems amazing that He puts up with us... I wonder if one of the angels has very humbly suggested to God that He could start again on Mars...
It wasn't easy for Hosea - even less easy for God, but His answer is made clear on the cross...
He LOVES us.
(Let's celebrate that truth in Worship this Sunday!)
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
