Day 467: Hosea 3- Love And Obedience

And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” 2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. 3 And I said to her, “You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you.” 4 For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.
 
Meditation
God wants to show His love through you.
 
God called Hosea to “go again” to love a woman who was loved by another man (1). Again? Hosea had married Ghomer but she had gone off to be with another. Hosea’s pursuit of Ghomer gives a picture of a God whose love is always coming after us.
 
Hosea bought Ghomer back with precious silver and foodstuffs. Redeeming love is costly for Hosea and the One his actions points to. While we were still sinners Jesus Christ bought us with His blood. Jesus gave His precious life for you and me.
 
Hosea instructs Ghomer to respond to redemption with obedience (3). Days of running away are over. Time to trust love. Likewise Paul commands the Church, “You are not your own but you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God…” (1 Corinthians 6:20). God wants us to love Him back with our lives, trusting His love in obedience.
 
The picture of Hosea and Ghomer is a promise of God to His people. God’s covenant promises are greater than our rebellion. We may run but He will pursue and restore relationship. Forever. God will have mercy and we will be His people, His Bride. Redeemed. Revived. Restored. Reconciled.
 
God wants to show His love through us. We are loved to show love. We are redeemed to rejoice in the love of our God by sharing His love with the world.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Who in your life have you witnessed displaying the love of God to you and others around you?
 
-What difference does it make that God has bought us with His blood, Christ’s death for our lives?
 
-How does hope form you, that you will eternally dwell with God, forever secure in His love? How does this strengthen your security in Him?
 
Key Verse
And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” 
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