Perhaps one of the most unique of all the Minor Prophets is Hosea. Within the Bible pages is an unhappy love story that illustrates the loyal love of God and the spiritual adultery of Israel. Hosea’s wife, Gomer, is used as a reflection of Israel and its wicked and sinful state that is so vastly contrast from God’s holiness. The book is filled with accusations of the sin that Israel has committed in relation to the leadership of the land, economic state of the people, and the religious conduct Israel as a whole.
This book also clearly proclaims the judgment that will come upon Israel (which is represented by the floozy wife, Gomer) from God. The portion of judgments with Hosea is not as long as some of the other Minor Prophetic books. Perhaps the length alone shows the grace of God as a healing touch rather than a pounding gavel.
Looking at the role of prophecy in Hosea, we can learn a lot as to how God chooses to communicate His message as well as His meaning to the people of Israel. He could have chose to have a prophet such as Amos come and proclaim multiple sermons to the people or share with them visions. Yet, the message of Hosea was more sensitive than a sermon may have been able to convey. By Hosea’s prophetic message exemplified through an adulterous wife, the prophecy carried an added weight. Hosea communicates God’ love and care for the Israel by portraying it though the context of marriage and family in his own life. If we (and Isreal) were to really stop and see Gomer’s rebellion and then reconciliation to her husband, we should be more clearly able to understand the care and gracious love that God has given us and them in spite of our indictments. This unique type of prophecy that gives a more holistic view of God and His will to reconcile His Children onto Himself.
Bottom line: God love us in spite of the way we’ve cheated on Him.
Yes, I am a prostitute and no better than a loose woman before my first love, God himself. I too often return to my sin and have affairs with my flesh. Yet, as the Bible promises “Even when I am faithless he remains faithful” (2 Tim 2:13) because He can’t deny himself and stop being the gracious God He is and always will be. This doesn’t make me want to go on sinning – just the opposite! I want nothing more than to dive into that grace and remain faithful because I don’t deserve this kind of unwavering faith being the wavering mess I am.
