HOSEA AND GOMER
Today’s Reading: Hosea 1-4
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
At the entrance to the modern city of Jerusalem is the Light Rail Bridge, known as the Jerusalem Chords Bridge. It was built in 2008 and symbolizes King David’s harp. In King David’s time, all 12 tribes of Israel were united under his rule. They divided under David’s grandson, north and south. Hosea ministered to the north at the same time Isaiah ministered to the south.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Hosea 2:23
I will plant her for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’;
and they will say, ‘You are my God.’
Hosea’s personal family life is a tragic reflection of God’s dysfunctional family, Israel. Hosea has a three-point message: (1) Sin brings great heartache to God. (2) Because of sin, the people bring inevitable judgment upon themselves. (3) In spite of Israel’s unfaithfulness and spiritual adultery, God’s love is constant.
By calling Israel (northern tribes) “not my people” (key verse), God dissolved His covenant with them. But He also promised to make them His people once again at some future time. Hosea 2:23 quotes God, “You are My people, and they shall say, You are my God!” Ethnic cleansing dispersed the 10 northern tribes all over the world. According to the Apostle Paul (Rabbi Saul of Tarsus), salvation has been achieved through Jesus Christ. Paul quotes Hosea 2:23 and Hosea 1:10 in Romans 9:23-26. We who believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord have been transferred from being “not His people,” to being “His people!” Hallelujah!!! God employs a variety of ways to bring us to Himself once again. He sends us anonymous gifts. He attracts us by “allure” (Hosea 2:14a). The dictionary says “allure” means, “the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating.” Gomer, Hosea’s estranged spouse, ended up for sale on the auction block as a slave. Hosea paid the highest price for her, redeeming her and restoring her by his forgiveness and undying love. God loves us and has paid for us with the death of Jesus. Jesus said, “‘And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.’ This He said, signifying by what death He would die” (John 12:32, 33).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I have a very real sense that You are drawing me into greater intimacy with Yourself. Your Word is as the earth’s magnetic force. The compass of Your Word points me to You. I pray that, as I’m consistent in getting to know You through what You say to me in my daily readings, I will be drawn closer and closer to You. Thank You that You loved me first and that, by Your grace, I love You and am committed to being faithful to You! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
While serving as a Pastor in the northern city of Sudbury, Ontario, I performed a wedding in August of 1964. A couple just showed up wanting to be married, and after a counselling session during which they both invited Jesus into their hearts, I joined them in holy matrimony. I may not have done a good job, because I heard that the bride’s parents convinced them to go to a priest and get him to perform another marriage ceremony. I lost touch with them, but approximately four years later, I was told that they had divorced. In the Fall of 1968 I noticed from the pulpit of the church that they began showing up separately at services. At different times they made their way to the altar, recommitting their lives to Jesus Christ. I married them for a second time in December of 1968. In fact, their two weddings were the first and the last weddings I performed in Sudbury. I’ve lost touch now, 48 years later. I trust they are living happily ever after! As the story of Hosea and the love of his life, Gomer, illustrates, God is in the business of restoring lost love. There’s got to be a country & western song about “lost love found,” but I can’t think of one just now. Can a blog partner help me out?
Yours for running into the outstretched arms of Jesus and being held in His nail-pierced hands,
David
Reading the first line of David’s blog and the word “dysfunctional” I am so thankful I grew up in a very dusfunctional family, I did not know it had a name! I may have mentioned this before but in younger days I grew up on a farm and helped my dad alot and he drank and we lived on this big farm with cattle and grain! There would be alot of yelling and fighting all week long BUT come Sunday, we went to church, some 25 miles. My dad was responsible for clearing the snow in the winter, and winters in Alberta are lots of SNOW, SNOW, SNOW and more SNOW! We went and I was taught Confirmation which I really enjoyed, when I look back, I am thankful that my parents did go to church every Sunday! I certainly did my share of getting into trouble, I began to drink very early HOWEVER, again, I am thankful for my life on the farm because I heard the Word of God every Sunday, and I heard about forgiveness of sins….Thank you Lord for that whole experience! A blessed Easter to everyone!
GOD is Good !
Thank you JESUS !
Prayed your prayer Mr. Mainse and blessings to all this Easter !
Always enjoy this blog ! 🙂
Diane 🙂
Thanks for sharing that personal story, David. I have been searching for a country and western song that is appropriate to what you were expressing. I was not able to find one of that nature, but this one by Casting Crowns is beautiful and is about staying together:
Broken Together, Casting Crowns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhxELo-uD3c
Blessings dearest saints, in the Lord.
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Col 3:17 KJV
Thank you Beverlee…also on the link “In Memory of Joey Martin Feek” A great love story!
What a beautiful song Beverlee, thank you for posting it 🙂
Wonderful prayer David and I pray them every day. Thinking of “I’m the Lamb that the Shepherd left the Flock For” which talks about the restored love with the Lord which Hosea demonstrates. May your Easter remembrances be blessed dear saints!
Dave, Duane and Neil, Original Couriers, sing, ‘I’m The Lamb’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0ulWhdIRwo
I also love your photo Reynold and it looks like the hotel we stayed in the distance on the right as I looked out our hotel window last May and took photos of that bridge.
David,
There is a song called ‘Austin” that I believe is about lost love found. I cant recall who sings it because I haven’t listened to country and western music that much lately. Now I am mostly a Michael Jackson music fan. Hope that helps.
Vicky
Austin by Blake Shelton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb1DTsxBOfE
The song that comes to mind is “When its Spring Time in the Rockies”
“The twilight shadows deepen into night, dear; The city lights are gleaming o’er the snow; I sit alone beside the cheery fire, dear; I’m dreaming dreams from out the long ago. I fancy it is springtime in the mountains, the flowers with their colors are aflame; and ev’ry day I hear you softly saying “I’ll wait until the springtime comes again”.
I’ve kept your image guarded in my heart, dear, I’ve kept my love for you as pure as dew; I’m longing for the time I shall come, dear; back to that dear old Western home and you. I fancy it is springtime in the mountains; the maple leaves, in first sky-green appear; I hear you softly saying, my Queen of May-time; “This springtime you have come to meet me here”.
“When its spring time in the Rockies, I am coming back to you, little sweetheart of the mountains, with your bonny eyes of blue: Once again I’ll say “I love you” , while the birds sing all the day, When its spring-time in the Rockies, in the Rockies, far away.”
Maybe not quite what you are looking for. hopefully they did reunite:)
Irene, thank you for the reminder of the beautiful love song. I am conducting a Funeral Service on Easter Monday for a dear Christian Lady who went to be with the Lord at age 96. She was married to her late husband for 60 years. Excerpts of this love song seems so appropriate. She also loved flowers and “springtime” – her husband died on Easter Monday – so what great symbolism – truly a symbol of new life and resurrection power with the ultimate ‘springtime’ of meeting the Living Lord – and, of course, meeting her loved one again.
“What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,
When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace.
When He takes me by the Hand, lead me to the Promised Land,
What a day! Glorious day that will be!”
Johnnie Ray – “When It’s Springtime In The Rockies”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o04EQOBqKg
What a graphical picture of God’s Love and forgiveness. A Revelation of His heart for His people. Thank You Lord for choosing even us “those that are not Your people” to “Be Your People”.
Pastor David, your expositions are also so appreciated, giving a deeper understanding of the scriptures. I prayed in agreement with your heartfelt prayer, believing that the Lord is drawing me into a deeper and closer walk with Him.
An amazing picture Reynold!! thank you.
Remembering, as we celebrate “The Risen Christ” this week-end and giving praise for all He did for us!!!! We are so Loved!!!
Amen Irene.
Easter Blessings to all, thank you Sah for sharing your story
Amen, sister Irene!! 😀
Beautiful picture of the Bridge, Reynold. How creative! How impressive! It is amazing how huge the transformation has been since 1948 since Israel became a Nation again. I like “The Message” which says, “Name your children ‘Nobody” and “No Mercy”, then God says, “Rename your brother’s “God’s Somebody” ; Rename your Sisters, “All Mercy”….”I’ll say to Nobody, ‘you’re my dear Somebody,’ and he’ll say, “You’re my God’.” Truly, God’s favor is upon Israel. May God continue to protect Israel and lead her people to a loving relationship with their Messiah – as well as hungry souls everywhere. David, I identified with your prayer desiring to cultivate a deeper intimacy with God through His Word, putting aside all other demands and voices, and just listen for His Voice and enjoy the quietness of His presence.
Song: “I am Thine, O Lord” – Fanny Crosby
“I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer draw to Thee.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the plower of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and ith Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend.
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
Chorus:
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessing Lord
To the Cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious bleeding side.”
“Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, the the Cross where Thou has died; draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to Thy precious riven side”.
“I am Thine, O Lord” – Fanny Crosby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccYAhaf-DXw
Praise the Lord and thank Him for all His blessings of this day! WOW! I am getting goosebumps! “When its Spring time in the Rockies! ”
Please pray for a young man Graham, he does not believe in God! His grandparents and uncles & aunts do, so, please pray the Holy Spirit will shake him up a bit!
I JUST LEARNED: the young man has a son (5 years old) but does not get along with him because the relationship with the mom did not work out! So, we have 2 precious people who need the Hand of God in their life, TODAY AND TOMORROW AND ALWAYS! What a beautiful time for the Lord to get the attention of this dad and his son!
It is very interesting how this is unfolding! The steps involved:: first anger, then denial, then the walls of resentment, more anger, more running away from the situation! BUT GOD…….PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!…..BUT GOD CAN INTERVENE AND HIS WILL CAN BE DONE! Rather exciting, because I remember what He did for me, He can do for others.
May God grant healing to those who are recovering from surgery, illnesses, grieving the loss of loved ones, grant safety to all those who are travelling to see family & friends, may God grant forgiveness to all those who repent and come to the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of all their sins and may God grant grace & mercy to our leaders in our Churches, to husbands & wives and their families and in our government! AMEN
Amen Sah! and I pray for Graham and his son. Holy Spirit I ask You to draw Graham and his into the Kingdom of Light out of the Kingdom of darkness, in Jesus Mighty Name I pray, Amen!!
Thank you very much Irene! Yes, please everyone pray for the young man named Graham and his little boy! The child lives with the mom! It is such a complicated situation! Graham is getting married next month to another girl! Heavenly Father we bring these 2 people to You for Your Dinvine Intervention! We are sorry for our sins Lord, please forgive us! Bless this blog!