"When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, 'Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.' "
(Hosea 1: 2, NLT)
Have you ever prayed, "God, use me"? Most of us probably have. Hosea, the prophet, must have prayed such a prayer. How did God answer that prayer? God told Hosea to go and marry a prostitute, an adulterous woman. That doesn't seem like something God would want anyone to do. But, apparently, God needed someone to carry out an illustrative message. And, if that wasn't enough, her name was Gomer. Hosea must have thought God had a sense of humor!
As the story continues in Chapter 1, Gomer conceives three children---two sons and a daughter. As I wrote in yesterday's post, names in Biblical times had a meaning. God speaks to Hosea each time as to the names of the children. The first son, Jezreel, signified God breaking Israel's military power in the Jezreel Valley (vs. 4-5). The daughter, Lo-ruhamah—‘Not loved’—"for I will no longer show love to the people of Israel" (vs.6). The second son, Lo-ammi—‘Not my people’— "for Israel is not my people, and I am not their God" (vs. 8). Now, the entire family has become a part of this analogy of Israel.
Hosea must have had a listening ear and a willing heart to hear the voice of God and obeyed. "God often required extraordinary obedience from his prophets who were facing extraordinary times. God may ask you to do something difficult and extraordinary, too. If He does, how will you respond? Will you obey Him, trusting that He who knows everything has a special purpose for His request? Will you be able to accept the fact that the pain involved in obedience may benefit those you serve, and not you personally?" (Life Application Bible)
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