That's the Book: Hosea
I spent two hours in the grocery story and seven hours in the kitchen over the weekend. This is NOT my normal. I'll probably stay out of the kitchen entirely now until Thanksgiving. I blew my quoto out in one fancy dinner party and one "easy" cooking class. The class had been billed as a way to fill your freezer with great meals in no time at all. At one point I was wrestling with a whole chicken trying to separate it into the various separate parts and was wondering how this was easier than purchasing the $5 precooked Costco rotissery chicken. I signed up for this class to get to know my neighbors. The things we go through for love. This was silly and fun. Sometimes love drags us places we do not want to go.
Hosea was a prophet to the people of Israel. He went through great hardship for love.
"When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, "Go marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord". Hosea 1:2
Can you even imagine? When I read through the stories of the prophets my heart breaks for their humanity. For the pain they went through to be faithful to the call of God. Then each time I consider what the story means to me and I see the truth. I'm exactly like the people of Israel. Wandering, ungrateful, whiney, stubborn.
"The Lord said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods.." Hosea 3:1
God did more than any prophet. The painful story of Hosea is a hint to the love story that Jesus poured out on the cross. For while I was still lost and broken and an enemy Christ died for me. While I was unfaithful he loved me.
The whole book of Hosea is a love story. Hosea repeatedly chases down his wayward wife and trys to win her heart. God continues to use this powerful life story to woo the hearts of his people. The messages are gorgeous.
"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6
God's message is all about heart. The rules are secondary. Important only because they protect and reflect the heart.
"Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12
I am printing this verse up and putting it on my mirror. For there are parts of my heart that are hard, are unplowed, are dead. My guess is you may have those spots too. This verse is all about growth and spring and life. Write it on your soul. For this is what God wants for you.
"But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always." Hosea 12:6
Patience dear ones. Some of you are in the midst of hardship. God's message is to hold on. Maintain love and justice. Wait. The one who loves your soul will not leave you. For while you were still in the enemy camp his heart was for you. He loved you first. And now? He's preparing a banquet table. His word is the bread of life. Hungry? Come on in. He's the best chef I know.
If you've never read Redeeming Love you really must. Buy it today. Read it. You'll see the love of God for you in a while new way. This is a beautiful, captivating retelling of the book of Hosea.
They do it again. Interesting, entertaining and helpful. The Bible Project is a great tool. Check it out today.
I love Jesus. I think my two daughters can change the world. I think you can too.
Sign up to receive Mindy's Quirk-E-Mails