Hosea 1

Hosea was a prophet. The name Hosea means "salvation," which we know is found by turning to the Lord and away from sin. So it is fitting that God used Hosea as a prophet, to speak through him and show others how to turn away from sin.

Hosea's ministry writing was after the days of David and Solomon. God's people had divided into two groups, Israel and Judah. Hosea's ministry is in the northern kingdom of Israel, under the rule of Jeroboam II. In 2 Kings 14:23-29, we read that though he may have been a politically successful king, he was an evil one. Jeroboam's political decisions wouldn't affect the people during his reign, but would have effects during the next six kings, all of which were during Hosea's 40 year ministry. When Hosea began his ministry, people were not looking to the Lord the way they should. Jeroboam planted seeds of idolatry, spiritual failure, and moral corruption that would thrive in the following years.

We can see in verse 2, that God's first words to Hosea was telling him to take a "harlot wife." The notes in my Bible state that a "harlot wife does not necessarily mean that Gomer was a harlot when Hosea married her." How Hosea must have felt for that to be the first words from God. But he knew that if God wanted to use him for a purpose, he would have to do as God asked before God would speak through him to the nation.

God tells us in His commandments to not have any other gods before Him and to have no idols. Throughout the Old Testament, God draws the picture as the people of Israel being the bride and the Lord being the groom. If the people choose to have other gods and idols, they were committing adultery against the Lord. They were unfaithful. So God chose to use Hosea and put him in a place where his bride would be unfaithful, but Hosea must remain faithful to her. Just as God remains faithful to His people.

It seems lately, one could say we are again suffering against an angry God for our unfaithfulness as a world. We have become so caught up in everyday things, in money, in property, we have made idols out of athletes and movie stars, we have so many reasons that we are too busy for God... And now all that has been put to the side as we watch this novel virus sweep in. Whether or not God had a part in the spread of this virus, it should definitley wake us up to the truth: we need to repent of our sins, turn from our idols, and remain faithful to God.