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.
January 31, 2021:What is Hope Anyway? – Michael Hidalgo
January 24, 2021: Living with Hope in the Past Tense – Jonathan Merritt
January 17, 2021: As Real As It Gets – Michael Hidalgo
January 10, 2021: What Is Emerging From The Chaos of This Moment? – Michael Hidalgo
January 3, 2021: Returning Home –Scott Oppliger
December 20, 2020: Dear Tiny Infant Jesus – Michael Hidalgo
December 13, 2020: As Much Dirt As You Can Handle – Dave Neuhausel
December 6, 2020: Not So Far From God –Amanda Lum
November 29, 2020: Christ of the Cosmos – Michael Hidalgo
November 22, 2020: Not Becoming a Monster to Defeat a Monster – Bekah Stewart
Spiritual Formation Podcast: Prayer of Examen
Spiritual Formation Podcast: Advent 2020 – Week 4
Spiritual Formation Podcast: Advent 2020 – Week 3
Spiritual Formation Podcast: Advent 2020 – Week 2
Spiritual Formation Podcast: Advent 2020 – Week 1
November 15, 2020: Drunk, Naked and Passed Out – Michael Hidalgo
November 8, 2020: What the Hell? – Nick Elio
November 1, 2020: Set Apart for No Mercy – Michael Hidalgo
October 25, 2020: Does God's Blood Boil? – Amanda Lum
October 18, 2020: He's Really Nice, But. . . .– Michael Hidalgo
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