Hosea Chapter 3: Verse 1 (NIV)
The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”
I think the account of Hosea’s life is amazing. God called him to live his life as a living allegory to show the love of God towards a people who were completely unfaithful. That must have been such a hard thing for him to do. Here we read how God tells Hosea to take his wife back once more, and not hold her transgressions and unfaithfulness against her. The law as it stood at that time would have permitted that Hosea could have his wife stoned. He was obviously a godly man and he did everything God said. But I’m sure he must have struggled at times. And if he loved his wife as God told him to, he must also have felt really hurt when she rejected him. I’m sure people talked about his wife, and that Hosea knew that. But at the same time God was reminding him that this was how God loved His own people, including Hosea.
God calls us to live as Hosea lived. The same way that Jesus lived. No grudges borne against anyone. Unconditional love, even when that is rejected. Even when our love, our support, our encouragement is thrown aside and people choose to do their own thing. Even when some would tell us that we would have every right to feel aggrieved. That’s not an easy thing to do. But this verse reminds me of two things – God’s love and grace covers a multitude of sins if we will accept it, and, I too am loved that much also by God, even when at times I must have hurt Him by my rejection of that love.
Dear Lord,
This example of Your grace and love for those who often spurn it, is overwhelming. Help me to be faithful to that love and grace and to extend it to all as your ambassador. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.