Exposing a Broken Relationship
Hosea 1:1-2; 2:2-5; 3:1-5
Relationships grow or die based on the level of trust and trustworthiness displayed by each person in a relationship. We all know what happens when a husband or wife acts unfaithfully. We have seen, and maybe even experienced, the hurt and pain of such a broken relationship.
What we may not fully understand and appreciate is that the same thing happens when sin breaks our relationship and fellowship with God. The story of the ministry and life of Hosea is a clear reminder of the pain associated with such brokenness. If the story stopped there, we would be a very miserable people, but it doesn’t. It includes the awesome love of God and the price paid for our redemption.
Something’s not right here (Hosea 1:1-2). When you read the first two verses of Hosea 1, your first reaction might be, “Are you kidding me?” or “This doesn’t seem right. Why would God ask Hosea to do this?” These verses may raise other questions in your mind, but remember that while we cannot fully understand the mind of God, we must not miss the truth that God is trying to teach Israel and us about the effect of sin on relationships. Also, we are to recognize that a loving God will not ignore His children’s unfaithfulness but reveals it and confronts it.
Your sins will come out (Hosea 2:2-5).This passage opens with a sense of urgency. The children are directed to rebuke their mother for her unfaithfulness. This is also a call for faithful Israelites to plead with others in the land concerning their broken relationship with God. And should these urgent pleas be rejected and they refuse to repent, punishment will surely come. This will be in the form of public exposure. All will know and nothing will be hidden. We must realize that our sinful attitudes and behavior cannot be hidden, redefined as OK, or ignored. Repentance is the only way to receive forgiveness and cleansing. Perhaps this is a word to the modern church about our tolerance of attitudes and behaviors that clearly violate God’s Word because we don’t want to cause trouble or hurt someone’s feelings.
Redemption carries a price (Hosea 3:1-5). Once more, God directs Hosea to use his personal life to demonstrate a divine truth to the nation. He is to seek reconciliation with Gomer, who is guilty of adulterous conduct. He is to show the depth of God’s love for Israel through these actions. There is no record that Hosea ever divorced Gomer. Likewise, God never fully cast off Israel. Hosea is to forgive Gomer, seek her out, pay the price and bring her home.
Thankfully, God still seeks His wayward children and took the initiative to pay the price on the cross for the redemption of sinners.
Davis– Lessons in the ETB series for the winter quarter are being written by Ron Davis, director of missions for Greenville Baptist Association.