19. HOSEA
Hosea was a prophet who lived about 745 years before the birth of Jesus.
His belief was that Israel was not faithful to God.
HOSEA'S UNFAITHFUL WIFE. Hosea married Gomer who bore him three children.
She was an unfaithful wife just as Israel was unfaithful to God. The bond between God and Israel was broken
because the Israelites deserted God for the false worship of Baal, the local
deity. The people believed that this deity produced a bountiful harvest, but it
was God who produced the grain, wine, and the olive trees.
GENERAL CORRUPTION. There was corruption in the whole of society. They
were not faithful in keeping the agreement of worshiping only the true God.
There was no kindness as shown by God's love for his unfaithful people. There
was no knowledge as the people did not understand God's great love and
forgiveness for his people. This failure between God and his people resulted in
moral chaos. There was no obeying of the Ten Commandments.
GOD'S FAITHFUL LOVE. God continued to love his unfaithful people. They
must repent and return to God and turn away from the worship of the false
deity, Baal. They must confess their sins of international intrigue and
idolatry. If Israel would do these things, God would absolve the people and
reverse the sin which caused disasters. There would be good health instead of
sickness, there would be love instead of wrath, and there would be fruitfulness
instead of decreasing fertility.
Hosea married an unfaithful wife. This marriage symbolised God's
relationship with Israel. Though the loving God was rejected by Israel, God
continues to love his people.
