An Unfaithful Bride

January 17, 2016 Background Scripture: Hosea 1 – 3 Lesson Passage: Hosea 1:1 – 11 The story of the prophet Hosea’s family life has been retold for many years in very dramatic fashion. The fact that a prophet of God would marry a prostitute is an interesting thought in and of itself. This is not a condemnation of Gomer’s past—for we all have one. It was instead Gomer’s infidelity in their marriage that makes an interesting allegory of the spiritual life of those called to be God’s children. A very powerful force is required to cause a person to commit to a marriage with someone if it is known beforehand that the person will be an unfaithful spouse. Further, if it is also known beforehand that the person will bear children that are not their spouse’s offspring, then the compulsion to want to be in this marriage union is difficult to explain. Both scenarios appear to be the case involving the prophet Hosea and the prostitute Gomer. It has been debated over the years, without resolution, whether Hosea was compelled by God to marry Gomer in spite of her reputation or whether Hosea was determined to marry Gomer and God merely told him what the outcome would be because of her character. Whatever the case may be, God used the marriage of Hosea and Gomer as a teaching opportunity to send a prophecy of rebuke and hope to His people, Israel. God told Hosea what to name the children Gomer gave birth to even though Hosea was told that he was not the father of some of the children. Hosea’s living agony was a reflection of the hurt God felt because of Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness to Him. The names given to the children were God’s response to Israel because of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God in spite of His goodness to her. Similar to Gomer’s infidelity, Israel would also bear children that would not walk in God’s ways because they would come during times of Israel’s infidelity to God. Put another way, some of Israel’s children would not be children of God. We don’t know if Hosea chose Gomer of his own volition even after he was warned of her infidelity but we do know that God chose Israel while being fully aware of what Israel’s complete history and future with Him would be. Only a holy and merciful God could provide such grace in light of His omniscience. Israel was blessed above all nations of the world yet she was still destined to walk contrary to God’s plan for her. Israel would be unfaithful to God many times over the years. Israel’s example is generally reflected in the church today and more specifically, in each Christian. Christians have no problem enumerating the great list of blessings God bestows on us while we continue to live without repenting of many trespasses we commit against God. Israel is betrothed to God through covenant and likewise the church is betrothed to Christ by way of covenant. The fact that God remains faithful and merciful in spite of our own unfaithfulness is an example of God’s boundless grace. Indeed, where sin did abound, God’s grace did much more abound. This is a characteristic of grace that should convince us that grace is not of this world. We are thankful to Christ for his faithfulness to the church, who is sometimes an unfaithful bride. Robert C. Hudson December 21, 2015