This morning we “turned a corner” and moved into the Minor Prophets. They are minor only in length, as their message is critical. Hosea (whose name means, “The LORD will save”, was the last of the prophets that prophesied in the North. During Hosea’s ministry, the Assyrians captured Jerusalem in 722 BC.

God’s people were so twisted during this time. They had mixed pagan worship with the Temple, and actually saw Temple prostitution as an act of worship. Baal was a pagan weather god and and god of fertility, so engaging prostitutes in the name of Baal would bring rain and good crops. Perversion was connected to the sacred. We see in Hosea 5:13that Israel’s adulterous relationship with God started when they didn’t think God was enough. They were prospering economically, but rotting spiritually.

Hosea was told by God to marry a prostitute and have children with her. He married Gomer, whose name means “complete” or “the culmination of wickedness”. We know Hosea and Gomer had a son named Jezreel, but then Gomer has other children whose names mean “No Mercy”, and “Not My People”.

Hosea loses Gomer to her lovers, and he ends up buying her back for 15 sheckels of silver and some bread. Knowing that a typical slave is purchased for 30 sheckels, we might assume that Hosea gives everything he had to get his wife back.

The love story of Hosea and Gomer is a picture of God’s love story with Israel…and you. Although we turn our attention towards idols and personal selfish pleasure (sin), our unfaithfulness is not enough to push away God’s love! He ultimately gave all He had in His son, Jesus, to get His bride (us) back.

***If you are married, you have made a life-long covenant with your spouse. If you are in an adulterous relationship, or are considering it…run home or suffer the consequences.***