Bobservations Column by Pastor Bob Lawrenz The frequency of God’s people to compromise their faith, and put up idols, is not something reserved for the Old Testament. If idols creep in, or are openly welcomed, you know it’s only a matter of time before His blessings are withheld. The prophet Hosea was told by God to “take a wife of whoredoms, and children of whoredoms,” because the nation of Israel had committed great whoredom against God. Hosea then becomes of type of Jehovah, for his wife Gomer was as unfaithful to him as Israel was to God. As much as Jehovah loved Israel, they were drawn away repeatedly by other gods and cultures. Hosea’s children from his wife were doomed. “You are not my people; I will not be your God,” (Hosea 1:9). But even with this, God did not forsake Israel, nor her children. Hosea’s first son was Jezreel, then a daughter Lo-ruhamah, and then another son, Lo-ammi. When Gomer strayed in marriage, Hosea begged for her return. When she did, Hosea blessed her, but then she would stray again. Stray and return, stray and return. We ourselves, even as members of the Body of Christ, feel the longings; “Prone to wander, Lord a feel it; prone to leave the God I love…” are the words of a great old hymn that we sing! God is always about the business of drawing His people closer to Himself. Satan is always about the business of drawing us away, and who we believe in will determine our reward. The story in Hosea is heart wrenching, and in the final chapter of Hosea 14, Jehovah leaves Israel (and us) with such great promises, that it would indeed be a demonic power that would cause us to resist our faithful God and Lord. In spite of the battles both fleshly and spiritual, Hosea writes of the future for the nation of Israel. One day they will come to Jehovah Jesus, and be blessed. God will lead them in His integrity, to make true His Word. “Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together and shall appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.” - Hosea 1:11
