Hosea 1
2 The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord.
Hosea is the first book of the minor prophets. In the time of Jesus, the 12 minor prophets were referred to as the book of the prophets. It’s only been known as the minor prophets since Augustine’s time. Referring to them as the minor prophets might cause one to think they are of less worth than the major prophets, but that is not so. Their quality is the same as those of the major prophets.
Hosea experienced something very difficult. God told him to take a woman of harlotry – someone who will cause him much grief, and have children of other men. It didn’t take long and Gomer, Hosea’s wife, lost her love for him, and loved other men. She eventually left him for her lovers and went and lived with them. Then God told Hosea that in spite of her doing that he must go look for her, and love her yet again. God told him to do all he can to woo her back and love her regardless of her ways and non-interest in him. God did this to him so that he could understand what God’s children are like. This is very sad. For God said, “My people are unfaithful and serve other gods.”
Her first son had to be called Jezreel, for God said that He would avenge the blood Jehu spilt at Jezreel upon his house, and that He would bring an end to the house of Israel. Every sin you commit in private or public God will call to remembrance and punish you for it. And unless you repent, He will put an end to you. The price of sin is terribly high. Her second son was called, Lo-ruhama, because God said that He would no longer have compassion on the house of Israel and would no longer forgive them, because of their ways. Her third son was called Lo-ammi, for God said of Israel, “you are not My people and I am not your God.”
Imagine God speaking such words about you!
God wants His people to have a very special relationship with Him. He wants us to be one with Him.
It’s sad when people loses their first love and love other things.
Israel started mixing things between serving God and their idols.
They believed Baal gave them many gifts.
One of Baal’s gifts was good food. Even food can become an idol. Paul says that to some their god is their belly. So you can crave something and sin to satisfy your craving.
Another gift of Baal was clothing – a person wearing what pleases him/her, according to the fashion of the time.
Many Christians serve Baal in the clothing that they wear.
Israel also had nature-gods. Nature can become so important to you that it takes the place of God.
Another god was cosmetics, where they would spend hours in secret beautifying themselves.
If you compromise your Christian life, you are no different to Gomer, that evil, adulterous wife of Hosea. God wants you for Himself, and if you refuse, these words we read will be your end.
Jesus must be the Captain of your host and the one leading you. You must be faithful to your heavenly husband, the Lord Jesus Christ who bled and died for you.
It’s important that you have a relationship with the Lord Jesus, that you live for Him and are one with Him.