Unfaithfulness and Redemption
Today’s scripture selection: Hosea 1-7
Key verses: Hosea 1:2
“Go; take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD.”
The prophets had a hard job to do, to say the least. Often they were called to bring unpopular and unwelcoming messages from God. And many times they acted out these messages – a sort of dramatic “show and tell” to help get their sermons across.
For Hosea that took on particular and poignant significance.
He was to take to himself a woman whom he, and the LORD, knew would be unfaithful.
But the point would be made. And just as Hosea loved Gomer, his unfaithful wife, so God would continue to compassionately pursue His unfaithful people.
Where would we be without such grace in our lives?
What if all of our mistakes; all our poor choices sealed our fate without as much as a chance to appeal?
But that is not the God of the Bible.
God often gets a “bum” rap. By cherry-picking and creatively interpreting the scriptures, particularly those of the Old Testament, God is often portrayed as an old, angry man full of bitterness and wrath.
But I don’t believe in that God.
I believe in a God that, though holy and just and bound to judge accordingly takes no pleasure in doing so. I believe in the God of second, and third, and fourth chances. I believe in redemption and hope.
So when I see Hosea reconciled to his wife, despite her unfaithfulness, it reminds me that God is always open to reconciliation as well.
Hosea’s words say it all:
“The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again….Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods…”
That’s real grace.
Prayer: Father, thank you for being the God of second chances. AMEN.
