Hall of Faith: Hosea, was Obedient

Hosea was a prophet of God, who was called upon to live his life as a lesson and example for the nation of Israel. His obedience is why he belongs in the Hall of Faith.

Hosea was a prophet of God

Hosea means salvation, He saves or He helps.

“The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord.” {Hosea 1:2}

Hosea married a woman named Gomer and she gave him a son, a daughter and then another son.

The Lord gives Hosea his children’s names, based on his current relationship with the children of Israel.

He married Gomer at God’s command

  1. “ And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.” {Hosea 1:4}

  2. “ And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.” {Hosea 1:6}

  3. “Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.” {Hosea 1:9}

Gomer was not faithful to her husband

Although they were married, Gomer was not faithful to her husband.

“Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.” {Hosea 2:3}

Gomer seems to have a problem with remaining faithful to her husband.

“Then said the Lord unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the Lord toward the

Her situation only got worse

children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.” {Hosea 3:1}

But, Hosea loved her and purchased his wife back.

“So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley.  And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.” {Hosea 3:3}

So, what can we learn from Hosea?

  1. He was obedient to God

  2. God used Hosea as an image for the children of Israel

  3. Hosea forgave his wife

  4. Hosea loved his wife

Even when it was not easy and his heart was broken, Hosea was obedient to God's command #HallofFaith Click To Tweet

Hosea was obedient to God, even when it was not easy. We are not told of Hosea’s

Hosea purchased her back

thoughts and feelings to Gomer’s unfaithfulness, but if he loved her, it is easy to assume that his heart broke over his wife’s actions.

Being obedient to God is not easy, especially when it requires self sacrifice. Yet, when we are faithful to God, He is faithful to us.

Are you obedient?

 

**Check out Francine River’s Redeeming Love for a more modern day telling of the Biblical story

Pictures from FreeBibleImages.org

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