Unconditional (Tough) Love

Hosea 1 and 3.

As I was preaching the sermon on Unconditional Love a few weeks ago, I realized that I did not have enough time to elaborate on all the aspects of God's redeeming love for us (not ever, actually). Particularly, I did not have time to talk about God's tough love--how does God love me when I turn my back on him and go astray?

In my previous sermon (which you can link to via the side bar), I mentioned that the story of the Prodigal Son is a great window into how God loves us and waits for us to turn towards him. Likewise, the prophet Hosea is the story of how God loves us when we turn from him, and how God desires to win us back, and how he has paid the price for our redemption. He is ready to buy us back from whatever form of spiritual slavery into which we have sold ourselves. God is amazing.

Well, you need to listen to the sermon to get the detail. What I want to give you hear is some more background stuff. Hosea can be a hard read.

If you are interested in various views concerning how much Hosea knew of Gomer's promiscuity before they married, read this article by a Rabbi.

One of the fascinating things about the Hosea story is the naming of his children. His first son was named Jezreel, as a prophetic word against an atrocity committed years before. God to 2 Kings 9 and 10 (and the latter part of 2 Kings 8) to read about that event. Also, link here to a really good family tree, showing you the relationship of the kings over the northern Kingdom of Israel and their descendants, and that of the southern kingdom of Judah and their descendants. This gives us insight into why Jehu would have killed Ahaziah, king of Judah, in his wild slaughter at Jezreel. (His mother was a daughter of Ahab and sister to Joram [Jehoram on the chart].) The other two children, Lo-Ruhamah and Lo-Ammi, are names that refer to the way in which God would deal with is rebellious people. Listen to the sermon.

Hosea is an amazing story of love and obedience to God, and it is a picture of how God loves us, even when he must discipline us for our sin.

The primary message to the book of that of Redeeming Love, albeit love that takes a really hard edge. It is sometimes difficult for us to see how God's love is seen in the really hard times, but it is there and for a purpose.

Finally, for a rather in-depth review of the kings and prophets with some really helpful charts, link here.

(as is often the case, I do not necessarily agree with or support everything in these links, or other things that might be written by the authors linked to. I think you all understand that.)

Thanks for digging deeper,
Galen