Unfaithful wife:
Israel had voluntarily made a pact with God on Mt. Sinai. The children of Israel were now the son’s of God.
Exodus 4:22, “The LORD said, “Israel is my son, even my first-born.”
Hosea 11:1, “When Israel was a child (a youth,) then I God) loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.”
Hosea is commanded by God to take an unfaithful wife for himself, a harlot; and to have her children. This harlotry was not externally acted out, but internally, and in illusion to Israel’s unfaithfulness.
Hosea refers to Israel as the future bride of God, but God now speaks of her as a harlot.
“Hosea.2:7, “And she shall follow after her lovers, — and she shall seek them, but shall not find them; then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband (meaning God;) for then was it better with me than now.”
Verse 16, “And it shall be at that day saith the LORD, that thou (Israel) shall call me Ishi ((My Husband,) and shall call me no more, Baali (Master.)”
Verse 19, “I (God) will even betroth (promise to marry) thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.”
In these verses we read about the fall, and the scattering of the nation of Israel because of harlotry, and Idolatry. The people had prostituted themselves, seeking after other gods. They had been espoused unto God, promised by marriage, but fell and worshiped at the feet of evil. But God’s promise stood; they would in time become the bride of Jesus Christ.
This day, we have been witnesses to the return of this future promised bride, (the Jews) back to the land of Israel, (beginning in 1948) and to continue into the future. Jesus Christ came to the Jew first and than the Gentiles has been adopted into their blessings.
Saved Jew and Gentile having been baptized into the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior, can hold near to their hearts this promise of a future marriage to Jesus Christ. The saved Jew and Gentile are now one in Christ’ Christian, His faithful bride.
Gentiles have been adopted in, grafted into the true branch. We are to pray for Israel, in this we pray for the Christian community, for we have become one with them.
Hosea’s wife was called Gomer, she was a woman given up wholly to sensuality. She was said to be as a “Burning coal” an adulteress! We can visualize the results of this burning coal in the following verses,
Proverbs 6:27, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned.?”
Proverbs 6:29, “He that goeth in to his neighbor’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.”
Job 31:9-12, “In mine heart have (I) been deceived by a woman.”
Job.31:12, “For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction.”
God also commanded Hosea to go and take for himself children of harlotry. The nation of Israel was collectively as a mother = (Gomer); individuals called her children. Hosea was to “Take,” both a wife, and the children of harlotry.
Each of Hosea’s children were to be given symbolic names indicating God’s displeasure against the nation of Israel, and her citizens.
Hosea’s first son by Gomer was called Jezreel, meaning, “God will scatter.” In the name Jezreel, there is an allusion to “Israel,” by a play of both letters and sounds.
Hosea had a daughter they called Loruhamah, meaning, “Not an object of mercy, or favor.”
Hosea than begat a son they called Loammi, meaning, “Once my people.”
The children of Israel fell, even the priests condoning every immoral thing. No repentance came from her lips, displaying no sorrow for their sins. God than pronounced His judgments upon her. Calamity followed: Two thousand + years have passed, being under God’s determinations, yet His love continues to pursue her through the ages. She longs to be saved, yet refuses to repent. History has marked God’s judgments upon her, yet His promise of marriage stands.
Gradually having been cast out by God, and appearing to have fallen into a seemingly incurable state; But,
Hosea 1:11, “Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel (two sticks) be gathered together, and appointed themselves one head (Jesus Christ,) and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.”
Verse 4, “For yet a little while, and I (God) will avenge the blood of Jezreel (Israel.)”
I have a sense that the Christian church is running to other gods, look around, see what is foremost in the minds and hearts of Christian’s today. Even on the most basic of gospel teaching, controversy arises. Other Gospels are received with hands, and arms outstretched.
False teachers dot the landscape, spewing out their poison upon God’s people, words packaged in colorful gift wrapping and with a pretty bow on top, than it’s put beneath the Christmas tree of self, and pleasure. Ask yourself, “Have I lost my love, for my first love?” Am I neither hot nor cold for His word? Have I become like the prodigal son who is squandering away his inheritance? So what’s your pleasure?
Phillip Laspino www.seekfirstwisdom.com