Feb 26, 2023
Scripture Reading: Hosea 1-3
The unique feature of the book of Hosea is the personal story with which it begins. Hosea is commanded by God to marry a woman (Gomer) who would be unfaithful to him. This marriage was a symbol of the unfaithfulness of the people of Israel to God.
Gomer gave birth to three children, whose names all had symbolic meaning. The first son, Jezreel, referred to the valley of Jezreel, where God would judge Israel for its bloodshed. The daughter's name was Lo-ruhama, which is, in English, 'no mercy'. The days would come when God would withdraw His mercy from Israel. The third child was named Lo-ammi, which is, in English, 'not my people'. The days would come when it would appear that Israel was no different than any other nation. Divine judgment would be harsh.
The climax to the story of Hosea's marriage appears in chapter 3. Gomer had left Hosea and now Hosea is commanded to buy his wayward wife and love her "even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods" (Hos 3:1).
This is the story, not only of the promise of God to restore Israel, but of the grace of God in conversion of everyone whom He saves. Alluding to Hosea 1:10 and 2:23, Peter says, of Gentile Christians, "Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy" (1 Pet 2:10). How thankful and joyful we should be for God's undeserved mercy … lavishly bestowed on our wayward, rebellious hearts.