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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Paul quoted Hosea when he explained your plan to include the Gentiles in the people of God: “Even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? As indeed he says in Hosea, ‘Those who were not my people I will call “my people,” and her who was not beloved I will call “beloved.”’” (Rom 9:24–25). How marvelous to think that while Hosea was preaching your message of judgment to Israel, you were looking forward to the day when you would call the nations of the world to your side! Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me about Hosea, the last prophet you sent to the northern kingdom of Israel before they were exiled to Assyria. You told Hosea to take a “wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom.” This meant that you wanted Hosea to marry someone who would eventually reject him, commit adultery and have children by other men. This experience would mirror the spiritual adultery of Israel, who had forsaken you for other gods. Hosea was kind to Gomer, in spite of her sin, and this illustrated the “last days” when you will be reunited with a repentant Israel (Hos 3:1–5). Hosea’s marriage is a window into your heart, for it shows me how hurt you are when your people reject your love and mercy. You also told me about the rise and fall of Uzziah, the king of Judah. Uzziah was a great king, and he brought stability and prosperity to Judah during a time of chaos and coups in Israel. “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense” (2 Chr 26:16). The priests rebuked Uzziah, and he could have repented and left the temple, but instead he became enraged, and his anger cost him his throne, his freedom and his legacy. Uzziah is a sobering reminder that the more power people have, the more they feel they can live above the law. His sin teaches me to acknowledge you as the source of my success and to humble myself under your mighty hand. Reflection I can’t imagine being told to marry someone who would be unfaithful to me, yet Hosea obeyed. The day may come when you ask something difficult and painful of me, and when it does, will I respond in faith and obedience? (cf. Phil 4:13). Request Father, keep me from being lifted up in pride when you give me success. Impress on my heart that all I have comes from you and all I am is because of Christ! Thanksgiving Thank you for the love and compassion that are revealed in the book of Hosea. Truly, your heart is laid bare in the words of your prophets. How great is your goodness, O Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “The Backslider” — Charles E. Orr. Meditation Verse: Hosea 2:18–20. |