Perhaps there is not better prophet to speak to the United States in 2021 than Hosea. He spoke mostly to the Northern Kingdom of Israel addressing its religion, its morality and its politics. His chief metaphor for the people of Israel was that of a “harlot.” To feel the impact of this, we may want to use the word “hooker.” As a people they were promiscuous; fooling around with anyone or anything that they believed would serve their interests. Corruption and oppression were rampant, and they people of God pinned their hopes on their allies rather than God. Hosea, speaks to the people and remind them, not of God’s great anger, but of God’s great love.
This picture of Israel’s promiscuity is expressed in Hosea’s own household. His wife, Gomer, is an adulteress, one who has been with many others. This leads to divorce in his marriage - and in that culture it is Gomer who would have been seen as one who is a disgrace. But the story of Hosea and Gomer reflects God’s heart, not our attitudes. This is why Hosea brings Gomer back to be his wife and renews their marriage.
The idea that this story of Hosea and Gomer actually happened was unacceptable in the minds of many. This is why many have suggested maybe this didn’t really happen - maybe it was a dream, a vision or a picture, but not a historical fact. Perhaps what’s more unacceptable is the way God continues to return to God’s people; reaching out to us again and again to renew a relationship for which God’s heart longs.
December 3, 2023: The Name of the Moment - Michael Hidalgo
November 19, 2023: Ravens and a Suggestion of Wild Flower - Maggie Knight
November 12, 2023: Saving, Storing and Dying - Michael Hidalgo
November 5, 2023: The Inside on the Outside - Hannah Thom
October 29, 2023: A Not So Lovely Dinner Conversation - Michael Hidalgo
October 22, 2023: Baptism - Michael Hidalgo
October 15, 2023: This is a Movement - Michael Hidalgo
October 8, 2023: Parts of a Whole - Jonathan Merritt
October 1, 2023: Hand It Over - Michael Hidalgo
September 24, 2023: Eyes Wide Open - Keri Ladoucer
September 17, 2023: The Only Sign - Michael Hidalgo
September 10, 2023: Who is the Enemy? - Michael Hidalgo
September 3, 2023: That Sounds Like a Guarantee - Michael Hidalgo
August 27, 2023: How Do We Pray? - Keri Ladoucer
August 20, 2023: Sitting Down in the Busyness - Michael Hidalgo
August 13, 2023: Guest Teacher - Jason Miller
August 6, 2023: Guest Teacher - Michelle Warren
July 30, 2023: Guest Teacher - Maggie Knight
July 23, 2023: Guest Teacher - Hannah Thom
July 16, 2023: Guest Teacher Series - Nick Elio
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Kingdom Power Fellowship Podcast
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)