An Extraordianry Obedience

O. T. #2028  "An Extraordinary Obedience"

Sept. 20, 2021

Hosea 1-Part 1

The Lord has anointed me... to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. (Isaiah 61:1,3)

LET IT GLOW

Are you or someone around you experiencing the ashes of a shattered life?

No matter what our past has been, Christ stands ready to forgive and cleanse us-and then make us new. Only Christ can bring hope to lives that have been turned into ashes by the assaults of our enemy, Satan. Christ restores us and gives us a crown of beauty-the beauty of forgiveness, the beauty of hope, joy, and peace. (from Billy Graham's devotional , Wisdom For Each Day)

Hosea 's ministry probably lasted 50-70 years until the Assyrian captivity of Israel, the northern kingdom. His calling of God was during the days Jeroboam was king of those 10 tribes.

What was the first task Hosea had been given by God? In verse 2, he was told to Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms.

Now, I have read several commentaries and they say that Gomer (Hosea's wife) was probably a morally pure woman at the time Hosea married her and that for some reason she became discontent with her life with him, left, and entered harlotry.

God told Hosea what to do and what the consequences would be in the future for his marriage and family. It was not an easy life, but one full of heartbreak for Hosea the prophet.

The pain involved in obedience may benefit those you serve and not your personally, just as it did for Hosea.

Hosea's life was to be one living illustration Israel, what its relationship with God became, and its future. Israel had turned to worshiping calves (idols) of King Jeroboam at Dan or Bethel. (Remember, a king set up a temple there so the Israelites did not have a long journey several times a year to observe festivals in Jerusalem.)

However, we know that the Lord punished His people for their sins, extended His love, and brought them back to Himself. Israel would be reunited with Judah and worship the Only, One, True God.

God often required extraordinary obedience from his prophets who were facing extraordinary times. But when they obeyed, God did extraordinary things and received the glory.

Is He asking you to do something extraordinary or difficult? How will you respond if God does? Will you trust that God knows everything and has a special purpose for His request? 

LET IT GROW

What happened after God spoke to Hosea with a special task? Did he obey the command?

He married Gomer and then she bore him a son. (verse 3) Actually, there were three children born from this union. Their names had significance when God told Hosea what to name them. (We will get into the details next time.)

Don't we hope for a good ending as we read a story or watch a movie? Sometimes I read the ending of a book to get me through it. Likewise, we want Hosea to have a good life, but it was one of heart break. However, love prevailed.

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for Mine anger is turned away from him. (14:4)

The scar and stench of idolatry will be removed from the land of Israel.

His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. (14:6)

I have seen the olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Messiah and Savior Jesus prayed before He went to the cross. What a humbling experience. There are 5 giant olive trees that have been dated back to the twelfth century. (A locked, metal fence surround them for protection.) 

 

LET IT GO

                     ... of whatever is keeping us from obeying God.

                     ... and follow faithfully the calling God has for us.

                     ... and turn back to God in our shame and regret.

                     ... and let God turn our ashes into beauty.

                     ... and give God the glory for His mercy and grace.