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, all these 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.
Yours for running into the outstretched arms of Jesus and being held in His nail-pierced hands,
David
Did not enjoy today’s scripture but am comforted by David’s prayer and knowing God loves us. Through His Son, Jesus, we are redeemed. He gives us all the hope we need during this difficult time. Praying for protection for those who need it right now. Keep praying to your God and He will shelter you with His wings. Amen. God bless you, fellow saints.
This is for Eleanor M, as it was quoted in your article, yesterday:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3 KJV
Whisper // A Table Full Of Strangers // Jason Upton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD_xQNhBlfM
I felt the same way Beverlee, my first thought was ..I wish we could stay in the New Testament!
And yet I know that the whole Bible is God’s word… am wondering if this virus is God’s judgment, have we broken His great heart?
Thank you for posting part of Psalm 46… it is beautiful and uplifting and so true!
Amen Anne. The unique thing about the coronavirus is that it is bringing people who need Godliness, closer together in acts and words of kindness and is streaming out evil to separate it apart. That can be seen politically, economically and spiritually. And of course, it bonds Christians ever closer to our Heavenly Father, which definitely seems purposeful on His part. I think the word judgement inflicts fear and because we trust in Him to the depths that we do, we need to eliminate that word.
Blessings to you Anne; I know that God is in control; He uses what He needs to use to get our attention; I have noticed that people are talking about God midst all this confusion; I am so thankful when they start to talk; I listen and I encourage them to turn to God in prayer; it is quite an experience for me; I am so thankful for those opportunities,
Let us continue to pray for one another; thank the Lord for this day
amen
Remind us of your love, Lord, in this trying time.
Amen
Thank you Beverley for posting this I do appreciate it.
Yesterday I saw little Judah (at a distance of course) out with his mom and his two little siblings. He hasn’t grown much but he now has a great mop of hair, because his treatments are finished.
He still goes to Sick Kids regularly for checkups .
My grandson Gavin is also coming along very well. God is so good . Blessings to all, stay safe indoors or like us have a little walk each day.
Eleanor M.
Dear Eleanor M,
So happy to hear about little Judah and Gavin coming along.
Indeed, God is good! We thank Him for His unfailing love .
Praying for safety and protection for all of us and healing for those who need it.
May God be glorified in this and every situation!
Praise and thank the Lord for all the blessings coming to your family Eleanor M.; thank you so much for posting, I find it very encouraging;
Thank you Beverlee. Amen to your prayer!
Dear Father, thank You for Your unfailing love. You are good, You are kind, You are pure, and You desire these good things in us. Please help us truly commit ourselves to You. Create in us that clean heart we so desperately need.
We pray for our families, our friends, our neighbours, and our leaders. Draw all to You, Lord, and make a way for each one in this world to hear Your voice calling them to salvation in You. We ask in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen Rob.
Amen, Rob!
Amen
Amen, to your prayer, Rob.
AMEN Rob
Amen Rob!
God sees the future like yesterday to us.He knew the His children would come back
but it must have been painful to watch their long term sin.My dear friend Eunice recommended a book to me a couple months ago.I prefer nonfiction books but Redeeming Love was one of the best books I have ever read,as riveting as Amazing Grace was.Even in this fiction I felt God teaching me.I highly recommend it,by Francine Rivers,I think?One of the character’s family name is Hosea,prophetic in this story.
The future belongs to God and He will meet us there.God bless
Amen Beverlee and Rob.
Lord thank You for the forgiveness of all our sins; it makes me fall on my knees; thank You Lord We pray and rebuke the corona virus; it is gone; healing to the sick;bless Michael and Carol; thank You Lord for Your Word which is free in Canada PRAISE THE LORD
Amen Rob!