Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“At that time I will plant a crop of Israelites and raise them for myself. I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to those I called ‘Not my people,’ I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT

Hosea is the first of the Minor Prophets, so named due to the short length of their writings, not according to their importance.

In case you didn’t have a chance to read it, at the Lord’s request, he married a prostitute, and gave his kids some pretty whacked names. Just ask his daughter “Not Loved” and ‬‬son “Not my people.”

Some would say this book is strictly allegorical. That is to say, it didn’t really happen. That is was a story to make a point.

Others would point out that Gomer was only one of his wives.

That may be true, but who would name their kids like that?”

Frankly, I don’t know the answer, though I tend to take it literally.

But I do know the story illustrates how far Israel had strayed and the love that God had brought redemption to the remnant of Israel.

“Not loved” became “loved”. “Not my people” became “my people.”

I just hope that Hosea used different nicknames for his kids as they grew up.

Do you think this story was literal or only allegorical? Why?
What would you do if God asked you to live out an illustration?