“But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen”(Hosea 1:7).
TEXT — Hosea 1:1-11
Metaphors and parables are often used in Scriptures as illustrations to communicate important information and teach practical lessons to God’s people. Our passage focuses on Israel’s uncontrolled, and abominable penchant for unholy relationships with idolatrous nations despite God’s love and faithfulness to His covenant with their forebears. Perpetually and impudently, Israel had unequally yoked herself with heathen nations despite God’s several warnings through His prophets and servants. They went into idolatrous practices with Egypt and Assyria and vexed the Lord with their abominations.
In our passage, God instructed Hosea to marry a whore (prostitute) and have children with her. The essence is to show God’s love to Israel despite her unfaithfulness and idolatry. The children were named to send God’s message to the nation: Jezreel (future punishment), Lo-Ruhama (not loved), and Lo-Ammi (not my people). Gomer leaves Hosea and gets married to another man. Still, the prophet repurchased her, illustrating God’s love and redemption for Israel.
By the same token, when God’s people enter into unscriptural relationships with the world, they vex the Lord. Unequal yoke in marriage, business, dressing, worship and religious practice are condemned in God’s word. God abhors every form of sin and sexual immorality of any form. Taking things for granted and leaning on limited knowledge and dealings with people have resulted in the fall and painful regrets of many one-time faithful and committed believers. The Scripture counsels that let him that thinks he stands watch lest he falls. His word and instructions must be our guiding principles in all we do.
God’s love and faithfulness to His covenant made Him to still desire Israel. He’s still reaching out to every sinner and backslider today. There is, therefore, hope for repentant sinners and backsliders as they embrace the salvation that comes through Christ. And for every believer, God’s love demands our faithfulness and commitment to the end.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
