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"Just like the love of the LORD"

Text: Hosea 3:1

A DIFFICULT TASK

The ministry of a prophet is profoundly difficult. The greatest difficulty does not lie in understanding visions or preaching. The greatest difficulty may well lie in embodying the message of God’s love.

“Then the LORD said to me,
‘Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover
and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD
for the children of Israel, who look to other gods
and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.'”
Hosea 3:1

1. “The LORD said to me”

a) This was a direct word from the LORD to His servant, the prophet Hosea.

b) There was no mistaking the tone of this word.

c) This was not a suggestion but an explicit command.

2. “Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery”

a) The word “again” is to be noted.

b) This was the second time God told Hosea to go to Gomer (Hosea 1:2; 3:1).

c) Gomer is called “a woman”.

i) She was Hosea’s wife.

ii) But she had left Hosea for a lover.

iii) The term “woman” was to depict the estranged relationship between them.

d) The “lover”

i) There was another man in Gomer’s life.

ii) She was committing adultery.

3. “Just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel”

a) Hosea’s love was meant to illustrate God’s love for Israel.

b) God had loved Israel with a deep and everlasting love.

c) But Israel had many lovers (many idols she worshipped).

4. “Who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans”

a) There were many “other gods” that Israel sought and loved.

b) She grew to love the food offered to these deities.

c) Raisin cakes was one of the things she had cultivated a craving for.

d) The spiritual state of Israel was truly deplorable!