Reflections on Hosea

The book of Hosea speaks to a crying need of our day: commitment.

For the last two weeks my class in the prophetic landscape of ancient Israel has engaged this prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel. In all likelihood, Hosea was from the powerful and influential tribe of Ephraim. One notices, for example, that throughout his messages, Hosea refers to "Ephraim" as representative of all the northern ten tribes. Ephraim was the tribe from which Joshua came and early on was the leading tribe among the federation of twelve tribes. The ark of the covenant was housed at Shiloh deep in Ephraimite territory, which reflects the prestige accorded this tribe.

Hosea, however, is not happy with Ephraim, nor is Hosea happy with his wife, Gomer. And therein lies a profound story of a failed marriage; indeed, not one but two failed marriages, because Hosea and his wayward wife Gomer mirror another marriage, namely, that between Yahweh and Israel. Israel, like Gomer, was unfaithful to her wedded husband. The consequences for both Gomer and Israel were devastating and the emotional pain experienced by Hosea and Yahweh was intense.

I pointed out to my students that no prophet portrays the emotional pain of the Lord over his unfaithful people as vividly and realistically as Hosea (Hos 6:4; 7:13; 11:1, 8-9). This is truly remarkable and I want to share with my readers what I shared with my students.

The prophet Hosea teaches us that steadfast love (Hesed in Hebrew) triumphs over justice. What I mean is not that God simply turns his head the other way and ignores our guilt, but rather, that God extends extraordinary kindness and mercy to us even though we deserve to have "the book thrown at us." If you think about it, the Cross is the most profound instance of incomprehensible love one can imagine. The story of how Hosea reclaims and reconciles with his unfaithful wife Gomer mirrors God's unfathomable act of reconciling the world to himself through Christ not counting men's sins against them (2 Cor 5: 19). No plea bargain can compare to the settlement forged by a loving heavenly Father and his obedient Son in order to redeem sinners. And this self-giving love is the pattern to be replicated in the lives of all those who repent and receive the Father's gracious invitation to be reconciled. As the Holy Spirit pours out God's love in our hearts we are able to demonstrate grace and mercy to those who have deeply hurt us. This is well beyond ordinary human capability--it is a divine gift.

Secondly, the story of Hosea and Gomer highlights a major shortcoming these days. When the " for worse" part of our wedding vows actually happens, the reaction is all too often and all too quickly "cut bait and run." Wedding vows are now understood as strictly reciprocal: if my spouse doesn't live up to his or her promise, I am released from any obligation of commitment "till death do us part." Thankfully, the Lord doesn't deal with us in the same way. He leads us with "cords of human kindness" (Hos 11:4) and says to us, "How can I give you up, Ephraim?" (Hos 11:8). I realize that some marriages are so destructive there is no remedy but divorce. But most divorces should not have happened. They are testaments of failed commitments. It must have been the hardest thing in his life for Hosea to take back his unfaithful wife. But he did. Love can be rekindled but it takes a divine spark.

Thirdly, broken vows carry heavy consequences. Gomer paid dearly for her infidelities. Israel paid dearly for her spiritual harlotry in forsaking the one true and living God for lifeless idols. She spiraled down into the morass of immorality that always accompanies such utter foolishness (cf. Rom 1:21-32). In our lives, too, broken vows invariably eventuate in the reproofs of life. Much grief is the bitter fruit of broken vows.

Finally, the story of Hosea and Gomer reminds us of a deep mystery involving divine providence. God may allow us, like Hosea, to experience deep personal tragedy. When this happens, we can do as Job's wife suggested he do: "curse God and die" or, we can cry out for divine grace and mercy. Instead of succumbing to self-pity, we can rise from our ashes and brokenness and demonstrate a profound truth: God's grace is sufficient. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13). Such a testimony is powerful beyond mere words.