God commanded Hosea to "love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress" (Hosea 3:1). Hosea goes to the market and buys her for less than the price of a slave.
Nobody wanted her. She had been abused and rejected. She didn't even bring the price of a cleaning lady.
Though there is some debate as to whether this was Hosea's wife, or another woman, it seems that it fits the picture better to say that it was Hosea's wife. Following God's command, Hosea had married a prostitute. He had provided for her, even when she continued her prostitution.
It's a picture of God's relationship with Israel. God redeemed Israel making her His bride. He chose her. He clothed her. He provided for her needs. Even when she continued to worship other gods.
Can you imagine what Hosea's wife thought when her eyes met the eyes of her new owner, her husband?
The Bible doesn't tell us how this relationship developed, other than Hosea's continued provision and protection.
But think about your relationship to God. If you are His child, He has redeemed you. He paid the price with the blood of His Son, Jesus. Yet every time you worship something or someone other than God, you are committing adultery against Him. Every time you sin, you choose to go your way rather than His.
And every time, He continues to provide and to protect. The blood of His Son is still there to pay the price and to cleanse you (1 John 1:9).
So rather than acting like a hooker, we should act like a lover. Rather than chasing after all the other gods, we should be chasing after God, who truly loves us.
Get to know your beloved by studying His Word. Follow your beloved by doing what He expects you to do. Communicate with Him by praying to Him.
Stop chasing the others, looking for satisfaction.
Chase God. He alone will satisfy.
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