by I wanted to share an excerpt from a book I truly enjoyed, Bring Back the Joy by Sheila Walsh. In chapter 5, talking about God’s faithfulness she tells the reader to imagine that the following is a conversation between a father and a son about the son’s future bride.
“She’s the one for you, son. Im’ sure of it.”
Martin looked at his father in utter disbelief. “You must be joking!” he said. “She’s hardly the kind of woman you should be advising me to marry.”
“I’m as serious as I’ve ever been,” his father continued. “I’m telling you, this is the girl you should marry.”
Martin looked across the restaurant to the bar where his “intended” was creating quite a stir. She was on her fourth round of drinks and was getting louder with every clink of glasses. He watched as four of the guys at the bar threw their car keys into a beer glass and held it up for Sonja to choose. She pulled out the set of keys that went with the blue suit and disappeared into the night.
“I’m asking you to do this for me, son,” his father said. “Do this for me.”
An episode from a cheap soap opera? Just read the OT book of Hosea. This man of God was instructed to marry a woman “with a reputation” to live out the story of God’s faithfulness to unfaithful Israel. Hosea married Gomer, who remained unfaithful to him, and yet Hosea persisted in his faithfulness. Perhaps God, in the only way we can understand, is giving us an illustration of how we have broken his heart by our wanderings and lack of commitment.
What is so amazing about the tragic story of Hosea and Gomer is the redemption and mercy carved out on the harsh landscape of their lives. We read, “The Lord said to me, ‘Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods.'” (Hosea 3:1)
Despite the brazen behavior of his people, God still loves, still goes after, still stands true and faithful.
What amazing grace…
Just recently, I was visiting a church and the band played Amazing Grace. I’ve heard the hymn a thousand times but it was the first time those lyrics spoke to me. I’m sure a lot of factors contributed as I’m going through a difference season of life. This post reminded me of those awesome lyrics again and their meaning. Thanks!
I love that song…and John Newton’s story behind it. When we first started homeschooling we read a bio of his life. What he went through before he admitted his need for a Savior. Wow.
Thanks for sharing this with me.
That story still amazes me and the dedication Hosea had. He never gave up on his wife. Now, that’s a man of true honor.
Thank you for this text.
Yet another OT story for me to dig in – I realize how much there is to learn! Wonderful!
Hi Mary –
Yes, I’ve always been AMAZED at the story of Hosea. Don’t think I could’ve done it! (Good thing it wasn’t asked of me, eh?) Isn’t there SO MUCH depth to be gleaned from this passage?
ps Yes…THIS wife does need to clean up hubby’s neck in between haircuts. 🙂 That made me smile. 🙂
Hi Holly! Thanks for coming over…and isn’t that a job we wives never knew we’d end up doing? :O) I’m just glad I got it checked off my list!
Yes, the depth is awesome…I love that verse, “show your love to your wife again”…no limit to that kind of self-sacrificing love…do married people even catch a glimpse it most of the time? Wow.
Leticia, I agree…and imagine a man of honor being willing to bring dishonor on his name/household by marring a prostitute! I have always loved Francine River’s novel “Redeeming Love” based on Hosea and Gomer, have you read that one? It’s set in the CA gold mining era…
Ann, so glad you liked it, the OT is fascinating to me.