Day 14: Taking an Adulterous Wife
Read: Hosea 1:1-11; 3:1-3
God consistently called his prophets to difficult tasks and as we look into the life of Hosea today, we will see he was no exception. The greater story of the book of Hosea is God’s punishment and restoration of the nation of Israel but let’s not allow that fact to overshadow the incredibly hard thing required of Hosea.
“Go take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness.”
I would like to know what went through Hosea’s mind in that exact moment. What? Are you kidding me? That’s crazy! From a human perspective, it certainly was. But the only thing we know for certain comes in verse three, “so he married Gomer.” Just like that, Hosea acted in obedience.
Married with three children, Gomer left him for another man. While Hosea was utterly shattered and still being a faithful prophet, God came back to him in chapter three and told him to go get her. Not only did it cost him money to buy her back, he was commanded to love her as God loved Israel. So he did. Just like that, Hosea once again acted in obedience. However, this time, he was pretty clear with Gomer that it would not happen again. Boundaries in relationships are so important!
I’ll be honest, I can’t imagine signing up for that. I’m pretty sure I don’t know anyone who would. If I were going along in my life as a single person and God told me to marry someone who would be unfaithful, shatter my heart and one day I’d have to reconcile and take him back, my response would be, “um, no thanks. I’d rather be alone.” Anyone else? Granted, there are many things that happen in life just like this scenario but if we knew in advance, we’d take a pass.
Hosea trusted God and in return, God trusted Hosea with a pretty powerful message of the adultery of sin, the cost to him, and the reconciliation. He entrusted the gospel to Hosea. And somehow through this incredibly difficult assignment, Hosea understood that. I think he understood the gospel in a way most of us never will because he was required to live it out as an example to the Israelites and through the scriptures, to generations of believers and searchers alike.
Do you have that kind of faith and obedience? What is God calling you to do that seemingly makes no sense or is difficult to comprehend? A couple of days ago, we looked at how God’s ways are not our ways. We definitely see that in the life of Hosea.
Is there a family member or friend who has been unfaithful in your relationship? Is it possible God is asking you to reconcile, even though it may cost you something?
The bottom line is that all of us are guilty of adultery toward the Lord. We’ve held many things in higher esteem than we have him. We’ve worshiped other things and people, mostly ourselves. Yet he extends the gift of reconciliation for those who receive it.
Hosea 14:2, “Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.’” And in response, the Lord says this in 14:4, “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.”
Prayer: Lord, I confess my adultery against you and my rebelliousness. Forgive me, restore me and help me extend forgiveness and reconciliation to others.