Reading – Hosea 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.””
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hosea is one of the more unique prophets.

His name means “salvation.”

But that’s not what sets him apart.

It was his incredible obedience.

Let’s be frank, I don’t think I would have been obedient to that call.

Maybe he thought he would rescue Gomer from her life of prostitution.

He didn’t.

It is implied that at least one of the children she bore was from prostitution.

That would have been heart breaking.

And then to be commanded to call his daughter “Not Loved” and his second son “Not Mine” would give him constant reminder of Gomer’s unfaithfulness.

And he would have a unique understanding of how God felt when the people of Israel were unfaithful.

A unique painful understanding.

Make sure you read all the way through today’s reading.

God granted new names for the kids.

“Not loved” became “Loved” and “Not mine” became “Mine.”

Likewise, God offered restoration to His people.

He still does today!

Have you felt like “Not Loved” or “Not Mine”?
Have you experienced betrayal like that?
Have you experienced restoration?
Why or why not?