Marry a Prostitute?
Scripture reading for September 6th: Hosea 1-3
The life of a prophet of God was not an easy road. God called Hosea to marry an adulterous woman named Gomer. (Hosea 1:2-3) She was a prostitute with many lovers. Gomer was a picture of Israel and her affairs with many foreign gods. Hosea obeyed God and obediently lived with this woman and had three children by her. These children were given names by God that gave a prophetic message to the Israelites! God used Hosea and his unfaithful wife to be an object lesson to His wayward people!
Hosea’s first child was to be called “Jezreel”, which means “God plants”. God was going to uproot the planted house of Israel in the valley of Jezreel. The second child was a girl to be named “Lo-Ruhamah”, which means “not loved”. God was going to cut off his show of love for Israel but not for Judah. The last son was born and given the name “Lo-Ammi”, which means “not my people”. God was going to cut off His relationship with His people and this child would be a sign of His word to them. (Hosea 1:4-9)
In spite of this hard message of judgment and rejection, God gave Hosea a word of hope and encouragement as well. He was told that though the Israelites would go into captivity, they would multiply and be brought back to Israel and again be called “sons of the living God.” (Hosea 1:10) He was told that the “Valley of Achor” (trouble) would become a door of hope. (Hosea 2:15) They would again call God “my husband” instead of “my master! (Hosea 2:16) They would forsake the Baals and again become faithful to God.
Gomer left Hosea and went back to a life of prostitution. She sold herself into slavery and bondage. God told Hosea buy her back. “So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and lethek of barley. Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will live with you.” ” (Hosea 3:2-3) This again was a picture of God’s unfailing love for His own adulterous people. In the last days they would return to Him and enjoy His blessings again! Take a moment and reflect on God’s faithful love for you and thank Him for it!
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