unconditional, redeeming love
Years ago, I read the historical romance novel Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers, and it made me run, not walk, to read the Old Testament book of Hosea. This fictional account is Rivers’ take on the story of the prophet Hosea. In scripture, the book of Hosea tells the personal story of Hosea in the first few chapters and then spends the rest outlining the ways in which his relationship with his wife Gomer (God bless her, that name) mirrors Israel’s relationship with God.
Recently, I studied this book again, and as almost always happens when you re-read scripture, I saw new things this time. I wanted to share a couple things from this ancient text to challenge you and remind you of just how much God loves you.
But first, a few more details about Miss Gomer. She was a mess. It doesn’t specifically say she was a prostitute, but it’s implied she used her sexuality for her livelihood (2:5). At the very least, we know she was quite promiscuous before Hosea ever married her. In fact, God tells him that’s WHY he’s supposed to marry her (1:2). So, he does. And then she does exactly what you would expect her to do: she cheats on him (3:1). Again, the text isn’t exactly clear, but it seems she either sold herself into slavery to attempt to pay a debt or is indebted to a man in some way because after she has left him, God tells Hosea to “buy her back” and show love to her again (3:1-2).
Such a crazy story. Keep in mind this is real. It’s a historical event. This prophet lived and God used his life and this relationship with this sinful woman to teach Israel, and all of us, just how much He loves us. God chose the nation of Israel to be his beloved people. Jesus made it possible for ALL people to be part of the nation of Israel the way a branch is grafted into a tree (Rom. 11). So, even as Gentiles, as Christians, we are now God’s chosen people.
Hosea represents God. Gomer represents the nation of Israel (also us). God chooses us even though we are sinful (Hosea chose Gomer even though she was promiscuous.). We, like Gomer, leave. We leave thinking we can make it on our own because don’t want to give up our life of sin. God, like Hosea, pursues us, finds us, and buys us back so we can be back in the security of a relationship with Him. We know that Israel sinned and challenged God repeatedly (4:1). She thought she knew best. Israel knew God intellectually but didn’t really know Him relationally. We also know that He never gave up on her. (11:8-9) At one point in the book (11:8-9) God says,
“Israel, how can I give you up? How can I give you away, Israel...My heart beats for you, and my love for you stirs up my pity. I won’t punish you in my anger, and I won’t destroy Israel again. I am God and not a human; I am the Holy One, and I am among you. I will not come against you in anger.”
Gomer is brought back into relationship with Hosea and likewise Israel is brought back into relationship with God. At the very end of the book, there is one last appeal from Hosea to the people of Israel. He tells them to recognize that their sin made them fall and to ask God for forgiveness. (14:1-2). And then the Lord says, “I will forgive them for leaving me and will love them freely, because I am not angry with them anymore…The people of Israel will again live under my protection…I, the Lord, am the one who answers your prayers and watches over you…your blessings come from me…The Lord’s ways are right, Good people live by following them…” (14:4-9).
I haven’t Left God (with a capital L), but I’ve certainly left him (with a lower-case l) plenty of times. I leave him a hundred times a day through a snide comment to my child, a sarcastic response to my husband, a jealous feeling toward a friend, a malicious thought about someone who hurt me… I leave Him when I decide in a split second that my wants, my will, and self is more important than my love for my Father. And every time, Every Time, He comes after me. I hear His voice in a whisper in my spirit reminding me that my children and husband are a blessing from Him; that I have no need of jealousy because God is giving me all I need and more; there is no place in the heart of God’s child for hatred toward any of His beloved. When God says, “I will forgive them for leaving me and will love them freely”, He means it. Don’t sit in the feeling that comes when you leave. Recognize your sin, get up, turn toward Him, and accept the forgiveness and acceptance that was already given to you by God through Jesus. Do it a hundred times a day if you must. He’s waiting with his unconditional, redeeming love.