Hosea 1 – 7
Verse 1:2 opens with Hosea being told to marry:
When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD.”
This is one of those odd stories that God uses to illustrate Israel’s unfaithfulness.Often we think of the “perfect mate” that God would choose for us in a different light. We would expect he would pick one with a “horrible” profession with great moral character. But Hosea’s God chosen mate was a prostitute.
I am sure society then, like today, frowned upon this union yet God ordained it. Think about Jesus and those whom he helped. The woman at the well was “promiscuous” and his closest woman friend, Mary Magdalene, came from prostitution, so Jesus did not shun these women in need. It is ironic how many, even in the church, will mock this profession yet use their services in private.
As you read the Old Testament you find references to “cult” and “temple” prostitutes, so I often wonder if man created a “class” of prostitute that was “acceptable” at one time. The other thing that is a huge subject is prostitution and trafficking which is getting a bunch of attention in the church. I could ramble on for hours on this subject, but suggest getting and watching Nefarious: Merchants of Souls. It’s a documentary of the sex business and really only touches the surface, but is eye opening.
Anyway back to Hosea and his new bride Gomer. They have three children, Jezreel, Lo-ruhama and Lo-ammi. Each name has significance to the people of Israel. Jezreel represents the punishment to the house of Jehu, Lo-ruhama means No Mercy and Lo-ammi mean Not My People. So God had Hosea marry a whore and name his children ominous names to illustrate his prophecy against Israel.
Verse 2:16 notes a turn in heart for the people of Israel:
“And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call me ‘My Husband’, and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’
Think about the change where they no longer consider God their master and accept the intimate relationship God wants us to have with Him. Think about it, God wants us to be free and enjoy this world. He desires to share that joy with us! To do this we cannot look at God the master, but rather our soul mate.
Verse 3:3 is what Hosea says to Gomer when he buys her back from prostitution:
And I said to her, “You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you.”
These words are basically repeated to the nation of Israel. Think about Hosea, he is in essence modeling in real life what God does for us on a day to day basis. Gomer returned to prostitution and a life which would bring shame to Hosea, but he got her and forgave her. This is actually the ultimate model of love that God shows for us. We leave him and chase other “idols” sometimes unknowingly. Think about this cycle, God “blesses” us and we become prosperous. Through this we start buying things which bring us joy. Eventually our thanks to God dwindle and our focus and attention are on maintaining the “blessings.”
Eventually we often drift down some very dark paths and end up pleading for God’s mercy. He grants it and welcomes us with open arms! Like the father of the “prodigal son” when he returned from squandering his wealth.
Verse 5:4 does imply we can take it too far:
Their deeds do not permit them
to return to their God.
For the spirit of whoredom is within them,
and they know not the Lord.
There is a huge point made here that one must seek forgiveness. See God will love us no matter what, but you need to want Him before this reunion can happen. Sometimes we allow greed, power or lust to overtake our inner spirit. No longer do we desire God, but rather the desires of the “flesh”. One would rather “get their rocks off” than experience God. When that desire overruns those to please God that is when things go horribly wrong.