TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, ‘Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.’” (Hosea 1:2)
Hosea was a prophet of the Lord to the nation of Israel. One day, God told him to marry a prostitute named Gomer. After bearing him three children, she walked away from Hosea, returning to her lovers.
Hosea used this tragedy in his life as a powerful illustration. Like Gomer, Israel had left their relationship with God to turn to idols. And, after Gomer left Hosea, she fell into slavery. Ever faithful and loving, Hosea bought her back, and restored her as his wife. In the same way, God is willing to buy Israel back from our enslavement to sin.
As you read this verse, think about your relationship with God and realize that, even though we abandoned and cheated on the Lord, He still loves us and takes us as His own. In the midst of our sin the Lord bought us back with the blood of His son Jesus. Do you know the saving power of God, now offered to us through Christ? The book of Hosea illustrates that no one is beyond His offer of forgiveness. God brings judgment on those who turn from Him, but continually offers restoration to those who receive Him.
Comments