Scripture Text: Hosea 2:2-7
She shall pursue her lovers
but not overtake them,
and she shall seek them
but shall not find them.
Then she shall say,
‘I will go and return to my first husband,
for it was better for me then than now.’
Hosea 2:7
God’s people were unfaithful to Him — they did evil in the eyes of the Lord their God and forsook Him.
Song of Solomon or Song of Songs is unique among the books in the Bible. The language paints a poetic picture of longing and love, leading to a faithful marriage, but for centuries, readers have probed the book for an additional meaning. Though this love poem primarily celebrates human love, it also shines as an image of God’s love for His people.
The Book of Hosea offers a reverse image of that scenario. On the surface, the language of Chapter 2 is conveyed in strictly human terms. But in contrast to Song of Solomon’s illustrations of godly love and devotion, the prophet described Gomer’s adultery as a clear picture of Israel’s (God’s people) unfaithfulness towards God. The castigation Hosea directed toward Gomer and her children applied equally to the people of Israel, their descendants, or to God’s people. Gomer’s children likely belonged to other men, matched by the fact that Israel’s children were being trained in their parents’ pagan practices (v. 4).
Gomer had turned to other lovers (and perhaps served as a prostitute in a pagan temple) for food, clothes, and luxuries instead of depending on Hosea (v. 5). He was prepared to punish his wife’s infidelity by exposing her sin (v. 3) and making it difficult for her to repeat her adulterous pursuits (v. 6). On a national scale, God was preparing to punish Israel’s worship of other gods by dethroning her kings and casting the people into Assyrian captivity.
The motivation behind this punishment was not simply wrath or revenge. The underlying purpose was to cause the offending parties to see the futility of their sin (v. 7). As we will study in the next lesson in the book of Hosea, the prophet Hosea was a strong provider for Gomer, just as God offered Israel anything a nation could hope for. From a strictly practical standpoint, unfaithfulness didn’t pay off. The allure of marital adultery and false gods was an illusion. When the penalty for their behavior finally struck, Gomer and Israel would see how foolish their choices had really been.
Reflect
Many worldly choices seem appealing but ultimately prove unrewarding.
We tend to run after foolish habits and selfish ambitions even up to the point of avoiding negative consequences, thus suffering from them. Believers often buy the fairy tale mentality: if you really believe in your dreams, they’ll come true! But Hosea makes it clear that if the desires of our heart don’t line up with the Word of God that directs us to knowing His Son, Jesus Christ, they will disappoint us whether or not they materialize.
Instead of following your dreams, seek God’s kingdom and see how He provides.
Remember
God is the only One who can satisfy us. Outside of Him there is no satisfaction in this life.
He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, the only answer to our satisfaction. He is everything in this life. Desire for Him and He will satisfy.
Read
2 Chronicles 29:6; Ephesians 5:21–33; Matthew 6:33
Pray
Dear God, help me realize more and empower me so that the only One that can satisfy me is Your Son, Jesus Christ. Direct me to seek more of Your kingdom and righteousness — DESIRE JESUS with all of my life. In my Lord Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Comments