99 Days to Pentecost: Day 10

Day 10 - February 23, 2021
Hosea 1:1-2 (Read Full Chapter)
1 The word of the Lord which came to Hosea the son of Beeri, during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. 2 When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, take for yourself a wife inclined to infidelity, and children of infidelity; for the land commits flagrant infidelity, abandoning the Lord.”

“The Adulterous Nation”
Written by Pastor Joe Suh

Hosea focuses on the unfaithfulness of the northern kingdom of Israel during the rule of Jeroboam II (v. 1), one of Israel’s worst kings. Although the nation prospered economically, they failed in their relationship with God. Hosea serves to witness to Israel’s spiritual adultery.  

The underlying theme of the book is that God will judge and punish sin, but is always faithful to His people and calls them back to Him. His love always remains.  The book is closely aligned with Hosea’s personal life, especially his marriage (v. 2).  The infidelity we see in Hosea’s marriage is representative of Israel’s infidelity to God.

What is truly inspiring and encouraging about Hosea’s message is that although Israel falls away from God and breaks the covenant through idol worship and pagan rituals, God remains steadfast in His love for His people.  In verses 4 - 9, it would seem that God is rejecting His people, but we see in verses 10 - 11 that He does not completely abandon them. Many are still called His children and remain in the covenant relationship with Him.  God judges His people, yet He continues to love and restore them.

Isn’t it amazing to know that God’s love for us doesn’t change despite the way our hearts may wander?  We often get so caught up in living our lives that we put everything else in front of our relationship with God.  Adultery for us is forgetting that we are in a relationship at all.

That said, let us be reminded that our God is a jealous God who wants all of us.  And though we may sometimes stumble in our walk with Him, let’s be encouraged that He does not stumble in His love for us. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us your children.  And though we may stumble along the way, we know Your love covers all.  Give us the strength to remain faithful to You as You are faithful to us.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!
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