Forgotten Books of the Bible - Hosea - 1

 

' “Yet the time will come when Israel’s people

will be like the sands of the seashore—too

many to count! Then, at the place where they

were told, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said,

‘You are children of the living God.’ Then the

people of Judah and Israel will unite together.

They will choose one leader for themselves,

and they will return from exile together. What

a day that will be—the day of Jezreel —when

God will again plant his people in his land.' Hosea 1:10-11 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/HOS.1.10-11

This book is full of so many painful events. Hosea is told by God he will marry a prostitute and that she will be unfaithful to him Together, they have a son. There are another two children born and indications they are through the unfaithfulness of Gomer, Hosea's wife. These two children are given names meaning "Not Loved" and "Not my people."  Such sadness fills me to think of these children and the situation. It brings anger saying, 

Lord, HOW CAN YOU LET THIS HAPPEN?

Is this story any different than hundreds, maybe thousands of children in our communities? Is this any different than the stories of children born into homes where they are not loved, where they are rejected by either parent? Is this any different than the stories behind the children placed in foster homes, abused, sold into sex trafficking?

Our world is filled with such pain and injustice. Yes, we can cry out to God, but can we blame him? I say the answer is clearly NO! Our sinfulness, our poor choices, our desire to remove God from our lives is the story behind the pain. 

The Story of Hosea is in the Bible to show us the pain our sin has caused. Our desire to do things on our own, our desire to live for the moment, and our disregard for the lives of others, bring great pain to this world. But, more importantly, it brings pain to God. 

BUT, PRAISE GOD HE NEVER GIVES UP ON US!

God accepts our poor choices and desire to live without him with tears of deep sadness. Yet, he will NOT turn his back on us forever. Israel would eventually come to their knees asking for forgiveness. Then they would leave God again and again and again. These verses in the Hosea teach us about the mind of God. Even in the midst of all the pain of this world, he has not given up on us. He is for us and waiting for us to return to him, pure and ready to worship him and be with him. 

Please Lord help us in the midst of this evil, help us to seek you, your laws and your love. We need you so much! Amen!

Thank you Lord!