35 Hosea Told to Marry a Prostitute [Hosea 1-14]
The Bible passage: [Hosea 1-14]
The Story:
Hosea was a prophet. Hosea spoke the word of God to the northern Kingdom of Israel.
God told Hosea to go and marry a promiscuous woman. Hosea married a woman named Gomer.
God then told Hosea to have children with Gomer. They had three children together and God told Hosea what to name his children.
The first was a son named Jezreel, for God said that in a little while He would put an end to the Kingdom of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.
The second was a daughter named Lo-ruhamah (which means No Compassion) because God said that he would never again have compassion on the Kingdom of Israel.
The third was a son named Lo-ammi (which means Not My People) because God said that the Kingdom of Israel was no longer His people, and He was not their God.
God also stated that one day the two kingdoms would be reunited under a single ruler.
God (through Hosea) tells the Kingdom of Israel that they have been an unfaithful wife. He talks about them going to other lovers (worshiping other gods) and shaming themselves before the world.
The Lessons:
- His wife is usually referred to as a prostitute, because at that time it was generally considered that a woman who was sexually active before she was married was promiscuous or a prostitute.
- God has Hosea living in a relationship that mimics that of God and the Kingdom of Israel. Hosea is faithful to his wife, even though she does not remain faithful to him. God is faithful to Israel, even though Israel does not remain faithful to Him.
- God is long-suffering, waiting for us to repent of our sin, but there comes a time when the door closes and disobedience will be punished. Long-suffering is the opposite of short-tempered. A long-suffering person does not immediately retaliate or punish; they patiently forbear. Even then, patience eventually runs out. God is patient with sinners. At the same time, God’s long-suffering can come to an end.
Comments
Post a Comment