May 30, 2014 (Friday)
Hosea’s personal and tragic story tells of his unfaithful wife, Gomer, and three children, one of whom was probably not his, and one of whom definitely was not his. Gomer’s irresponsible behavior mirrored Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. Going after other gods was viewed as spiritual adultery by the Lord. Just as Hosea felt betrayed and was devastated by his wife’s actions, so God was betrayed and devastated by the actions of His spiritual bride, Israel. When Hosea’s wife was no longer useful to the men she served, they put her up for sale as a slave. Hosea paid the price to buy her back and bring her home. The entire story is reflected in the New Testament, which says “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” It goes on to remind us that “Christ gave Himself as a ransom for our sin.” God paid the price for our salvation.
Hosea – Devotional thoughts
Romans 9 includes ideas taken directly from the prophet Hosea. “..he says in Hosea: ‘I will call them “my people” who are not my people;’ and ‘I will call her “my loved one” who is not my loved one,’ and, ‘In the very place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” there they will be called “children of the living God.”‘”
Hosea’s paying the price to bring his wayward wife home causes most of us to say, “I could never go that far; I could never do that.” But God did it when He “spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.”
Why did Jesus come to earth? He told us directly: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” He came to save you. He came to save me. He offers salvation as a free gift to all who believe.