God Wants Some “Alone” Time with Us
As I continue to study the book of Hosea, I am so touched in how Hosea pursued his wife, even through her harlotry. It caused me to ask, “Why did God tell Hosea to take a wife of harlotry”? God wanted Hosea to live out the same thing He was living out in pursuing the Children of Israel. They were absolutely living like harlots, worshipping other idols and pursuing their own lusts. When Hosea prophesied, he absolutely knew how God felt. What passion Hosea must have put into his preaching because of this parallel in his own life.
Chapter 2:14-23 tells us how much God wants to be with us. He wants to draw us close to Him and have some time alone with us. When we respond appropriately to God, He will respond to our needs. He will declare that we are His people!
In chapter 3, Hosea literally bought Gomer back – he redeemed her! But, he redeemed her at half the value of a slave in those days (Ex. 21:32). The other half of her redemption was bought with barley for her sustenance. Gomer had become enslaved to one of her lovers and needed redemption. That is exactly what sin will do to us – before we know it – we are enslaved to the very thing that once brought us so much pleasure. This low price that Hosea paid is representative of the lowly estate of his wife (and symbolically of Israel).
How low will we go friends? Will we end up like the prodigal son, in the hog pen of life, just wishing we could eat some of their slop? We live so below our means. God wants to be a loving spouse to us and care for us, but our actions continually tell Him that we love something else more! This week, get alone with God. Call Him “Ishi” (my husband, 2:16). Let everything else in your life pale to your love for God. He will respond (v. 21)!
