(Hosea 3:1-5)
Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet is committing adultery, as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” 2 So I purchased her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and a homer and a lethech of barley. 3 Then I said to her, “You shall live with me for many days. You shall not play the prostitute, nor shall you have another man; so I will also be toward you.” 4 For the sons of Israel will live for many days without a king or leader, without sacrifice or memorial stone, and without ephod or household idols. 5 Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the Lord and to His goodness in the last days.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
Interesting how the world can define marriage as a form of slavery. Well, because of Gomer's adultery, and to the extent that she went with her waywardness, she had sold herself into slavery. She actually thought her life would be better and freer if she allowed herself to be sex-trafficked! In doing all of this, Gomer was no longer considered Hosea's wife.
In order to restore her position according to customary practice, Hosea had to redeem Gomer. He purchased her, brought her back, and then had her quarantined for a certain number of days. According to the laws in Deuteronomy, remember that even after just menstruating or touching a deceased person, etc. the Israelites were supposed to go through a secluded period of cleansing.
This all symbolizes the events that Israel was and will go through, since they had rejected the Lord - committing both physical and spiritual adultery. And because they refused to trust in the Lord and His ways, but trusted in themselves and other nations, they found themselves in captivity (slavery)! The price Hosea paid for Gomer was that of a slave, and the forced seclusion (quarantine period) symbolizes Israel's exile.
As for Israel returning to the Lord, that will happen in the Tribulation. When they see the signs of His second coming, they will believe and trust in Him (personally, as well as a nation). And as for the Lord sitting on David's throne as King, and fulfilling all of Israel's covenants, that will happen in the Thousand Year Reign, which is also called the Wedding Feast.
Having someone go through a time of seclusion or cleansing seems unfair until we consider that we are all sinners deserving death. And it might seem harsh until we realize that it is our choice: eternal death or eternal life; stubborn pride or humble repentance; slavery to sin or spiritual freedom! God is holy and cannot have a relationship with sin, therefore we must be cleansed. The only way this is possible is through the Lord's work on the cross. This is why He came to earth in flesh: to suffer and die in our place in order to pay the price for all sin so that we might be redeemed and have eternal life! In His resurrection, He conquered death!
Just to be clear - we are born as slaves to sin - and Jesus paid for our freedom, so that we could embrace a personal relationship with Him. And He paid FAR MORE for us than the price of a slave!!! And things are so much better with the Lord, who is faithful and gracious! Why would one wait before running to Him, or running back to Him? God desires to have a personal relationship with everyone, to work for us, in us and through us, giving us purpose, peace, security, joy... and blessings.
(James 1:17) Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
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