Monday, October 22, 2012

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 22 October 2012"

Today's Blog Title: "Hosea's Unfaithful Wife" 
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Hosea 1:1-11
Today's Blog Key Verse: Hosea 1:2 "When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: "Go take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the LORD."

Gomer may have been a common prostitute at the time Hosea married her, or perhaps she had participated in a ritual sexual act as part of the Baal cult.  However, it is more likely that the descriptive phrase anticipates what Gomer would become following her marriage to Hosea.

The words "children of harlotry" would mean that if Gomer was a prostitute when she married Hosea, this would refer to children that Gomer already had, and that Hosea had adopted at the time of his marriage.  A more likely possibility is that the title anticipated children born to a mother whose reputation and escapades would make their lineage suspect.  Gomer's martial infidelity is a picture of Israel's idolatry and unfaithfulness to its covenant with Almighty God.

Jezreel in verse 4, means, "God Sows."  He is to be a reminder that God will Judge the house of Jehu for the bloodshed in Jezreel, when the kingdom was wrested from Ahab and Jezebel and God's judgement was poured out against them.

Lo-ruhamah in verses 6 and 7, means,  "No Mercy" or "Not Pitied."  Her significance is twofold: (1) God's compassion has come to an end for Israel, and (2) her judgment in imminent.

Lo-ammi in verse 9, means, "Not My People" to the Israel of his day, that they were not the Lord's people, and that the Lord was not their God.  This should in no sense be understood as an annulment of the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12:1-3, which was an unconditional covenant depending solely upon God for its fulfillment.

The experience of Hosea reminds us of a greater truth, that adultery, or any sin, is first of all grounds for forgiveness!  Considering the example of our Loving and Faithful God, we as Hosea may be led to suffer the pain, and seek a reconciliation.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today.  Always remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."

JESUS REIGNS!!!  May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with all of you.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

 

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