Hosea and
Gomer form the love story in the Bible entitled Hosea. It has all the elements
of a great novel, love, betrayal. Heartbreak, forgiveness and reconciliation.
The added dimension of this book is that Yahweh takes it and uses it to explain
His love for Israel. He also uses this analogy to express various truths for
His followers today. In a world where marriage is being shredded by people with
a Hollywood type of easy come easier go mentality. Among the truths are: loves
mercy and forgiveness, God makes Himself an example of being a husband and
father. He also gives a purpose for going Himself the title husband [Your Maker
is your Husband’ Isaiah 54:5] and Israel the title ‘wife’.
According
to Malachi 2:16 it was so that there would be godly offspring. Another reason
for the Lord’s insistence through scripture, on not being unequally yoked (c/-
1Corinthians 7:14). There are very severe consequences for unfaithfulness in
marriage. Adultery was a death sentence. How is it then that the nation termed
Yahweh’s wife wasn’t stricken by stoning? For the people had gone after the
gods of the surrounding nations. At the very least He could have divorce her.
However, He hates divorce [Malachi 2:16, although He did condone separation,
with the purpose of reconciliation. This is why we read in Hosea the effort
Yahweh went to rekindle the nation’s love for Him. Love may forgive and
restore, but God’s holiness and justice demanded their judicial rights, death!
Throughout
the book of Hosea, the reader can sense the anguish of God. Speaking to one of
the tribes, Ephraim, he says, “How can I give you up” [Hosea 11:8]. To another,
Zeboim, “My heart churns within me”. He promises to heal their backsliding and
turn away His anger, but how? Hosea 13:14, “I will ransom them from the power
of the grave; I will redeem them from death.” Redemption was understood through
the Nation’s animal blood sacrifice which foreshadowed Isaiah 53 fulfilment.
Only then could iniquity be removed and the people be restored to their
previous relationship. Here will be expressed the reality of Calvary. Paul
writes it up so well in Ephesians 5:25, ‘Christ loved the Church and gave
Himself for Her.’ The husband took his
wife’s condemnation. He died in her place! Has that made her a widow? Fortunately,
no! The husband of Israel, the sinless Messiah embraced her guilt and took the
sentence. Judgement consumed the sin but the righteousness and purity of the
Husband prevailed unscathed. His victory clothed Him in a new, glorified, resurrected
body. One day, known only to the Heavenly Father, the wife will also wear her
glorified body.
Those
insisting Yahweh has removed the nation from His promised program fail to
understand this love. If it was true, what an indictment on His power,
foreknowledge and grace. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, wrote the following. ‘Behold,
the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel and with the house of Judah …and I will be their God, and they
shall be my people.’ [Jeremiah 31:31, 33].
Surely,
that would have put a smile on Jeremiah’s heart and face.
Next. The land of Israel and Isaiah 53.
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