May
22
I’ve been going through a study on Hosea in my quiet time, and some thoughts have been hitting me pretty hard. I thought I’d throw them out there to see what you thought…
For those who aren’t familiar with the book of Hosea:
The book of Hosea is a tragic love story… God called Hosea to marry Gomer, an unfaithful woman. Predictably, Gomer was unfaithful to Hosea, and the marriage was shattered. In the end, however, Hosea “redeemed” Gomer by bringing her back to his home, offering his wife forgiveness and restoration, and urging her to remain faithful. Hosea’s experience with Gomer illustrated God’s experience with Israel. Hosea warned of stern judgment because of Israel’s unfaithfulness, for Israel had turned to other gods, just as Gomer had left Hosea for other men. Like Gomer, Israel would receive forgiveness and restoration if the people returned to God. -excerpt from NLT Daily Study Bible for Women
It is an incredible story, and if you are interested in getting a deeper understanding of the themes behind this story, I highly recommend this book!
I can’t help but read the book of Hosea and personalize it. In this metaphor I see God as my husband. How hurtful for Him – Who sees ALL and knows ALL- to watch me stray time and time again. How often I take my eyes off of Him… His faithfulness and perfect love for me… and place them onto other things – things that can never satisfy, and pale in comparison to Him! I seem to have no shortage of things… choosing to focus on my circumstances, searching for worth in how people perceive me, looking to relationships to fill the void, choosing discontentment as I focus on what I don’t have – or have had to give up – rather on everything He has provided, looking to others to meet my needs, expecting the perfection that belongs to Him alone to also be found in my husband… the list is endless!
He watches me run to these “lovers”. I run to them… all the while proclaiming my love for Him. I can’t shake the betrayal of this! If my husband ran to his lovers with my knowledge, and called from their bed to profess his love for me, would I believe it?? It’s like a knife in my heart!
How deceived am I?? What kind of love not only forgives me, but woos me back?? Will He ever tire of this? Will I?
I SO long to be 100% faithful to my God – this One Who gave all for me! It’s overwhelming to think, just as Hosea knew he was marrying a prostitute, God knew I would be as unfaithful to Him as Gomer was to Hosea. And yet He chose me anyway… He sent His Son to DIE for me, knowing I would be unfaithful. He allowed the price to be paid… and it cost Him dearly! I have to wonder if it was worth it…
Then God so graciously reminded me…
He is outside of time. All of it is laid out before Him. He saw every infidelity I would ever commit – and with this full knowledge – He chose me. I’ll never be able to wrap my brain around this… It was worth it to Him. I will never be the same.
I will commit Myself to you forever; I will commit Myself to you in righteousness and justice, in steadfast love and tender compassion. I will commit Myself to you in faithfulness.
-Hosea 2:19-20
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:30 am
Wow – thank you so much for sharing these thoughts.
I am constantly amazed by the grace that God shows me, despite the fact that I *daily* betray Him. I am so unworthy of His grace – yet He has saved me, called me, and continues to bless me even in the face of my daily sin.
I desire to be less like Gomer. And not just ’cause she was a woman…with a goofy name. 🙂
May 23rd, 2009 at 6:56 am
lisa…one of the things i love the most about you is your honest expression of your journey. i am always encouraged by your transparency. thank you for sharing your frustrations with yourself as you seek to grab hold of the truth. how i can relate. praise Him for His great mercy and endless love.
May 23rd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
[…] by Innerstrife on May.23, 2009, under Quest for Holiness Recently, Lisa posted on her blog some thoughts as she studies Hosea. Take a look at what she wrote by clicking here. […]