A Loving and Faithful Marriage or Not

O. T. #2032 "A Loving and Faithful Marriage or Not"

Sept. 24, 2021

Hosea 2

LET IT GLOW

Are you in need for some encouragement for your marriage? I got some today. I always listen to a local Christian radio station throughout the day. Well, each morning, they try to give a situation that is up lifting. Here is one given today that applies to our lesson:

A couple, Ralph and Dorothy, in California has been married 86 years; he is 104 and she is 103. (When they got married, he was 18 and she was 17.) A bit young we might think for them to remain married all these years. When asked what his secret was for a long marriage, he gave two words-togetherness and compromise. She would go hunting with him. Such an inspiration to us. Maybe the key is to find something we both enjoy doing together, not work. Is your marriage one that inspires others? Hard work, love, treasuring each other, and forgiveness are a must.

1 John 4:8 says, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (1 John 4:10-11)

God's love is a holy love, not a sentimental feeling that condones sin and pampers sinners. (Wiersbe)

By the time Hosea wrote this chapter, his wife Gomer had left her husband and three children. Hosea tells his children to go find her.

In verse 1, the Lord tells the people of Israel to rebuke their leadership.

Ammi means a people; a tribe (as those of Israel); Ruhaman means to love; have compassion; merciful.

As for Israel, they will be a restored people of God and will obtain mercy. This will happen when a nation repents and receives a new heart in fulfillment of the New Covenant. (Jeremiah 31:31-34) (Falwell)

God's mercy is restored to the repentant, revived, and restored nation. This will happen for Israel after Assyria conquers them and Judah is conquered by Babylon. Together, they will reunite as one nation. 

 

LET IT GROW

What Gomer has done, left and became unfaithful to her husband, so Israel has done to God. Israel turned away to idolatries and promiscuous ways. Hosea calls for them to put them away or judgment was coming.

The problem was not what Gomer desired, food, comforts, and life, but the source from which she sought them, her lovers. She thought men other than her husband could provide these things for her. So did Israel as they turned to pagan gods and not Jehovah to provide for their needs. What sins!

Folks, are we guilty of those same sins? Do we work all the time to provide for our self and not be content with what God has provided? Are we giving God first place in our life?

We must be careful not to love the things of this world (1 John 2:15-17), friendly with the world (James 4:4), nor conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2). As believers and part of a local church, we must remain true to our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, until He returns to take His bride home. (Rev. 19:6-9)

We see three important events for Gomer and Israel:

1. her reprobation (verses 2-5)
2. her retribution (verses 6-13)
3. her restitution (verses 14-17).

LET IT GO

Remain a faithful servant of Jesus.

Remain a faithful spouse.

Remember how faithful God is to us and thank Him.