Today we are reading Hosea 1. In this chapter we read about the beginning of Hosea’s prophecy where his wife and children represent the rebellious nation of Israel. “When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.” So he went and took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. And the Lord said to him, “Call his name Jezreel, for in just a little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. She conceived again and bore a daughter. And the Lord said to him, “Call her name No Mercy, for I will no more have mercy on the house of Israel, to forgive them at all. When she had weaned No Mercy, she conceived and bore a son. And the Lord said, “Call his name Not My People, for you are not my people, and I am not your God.”” Hosea 1:2-4, 6, 8-9 ESV It seems that in this prophecy God is being excessive in using Hosea’s family to illustrate the unfaithfulness of His people. Why would God be so graphic? How do you think God feels when we worship false gods? How important is it to God that we remain faithful to Him? May God bless you to walk according to His ways and enjoy all His blessings. Pastor Tim
