Saturday, July 31, 2010

post 3

Hosea 3, when I first read it, made me cry. 

Hosea Redeems His Wife

The Lord said to me,
“Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man
and is unfaithful to you,
even as the Lord loves the children of Israel,
though they turn to other gods and love themselves.” 
 
So I bought her.

And I said to her,
“You will dwell as mine for many days.
You shall not play the adulteress, or belong to another man;
so will I also be to you.” 
 
For the children of Israel...
shall return and seek the Lord their God,
 and they shall come in fear to the Lord
and to know His goodness.

 Go again.  Go again, Hosea.  Do it again.  Forgive her again.  Yes, she is being unfaithful.  Yes, she loves herself.  Yes, she runs from you.  Yes, all of that is wrong, Hosea, but go again.  Go forgive her.

Oh, and she must bought.  With your own money, go buy your wife back.  Don't go in anger, don't retaliate.  Go and keep your commitment to her and remain faithful, even though she has not.  Be good to her, Hosea.  And go redeem your wife.

That, friends, is unconditional love.  Hosea did not love his wife based on her faithfulness or love to him.  God does not love me based on my faithfulness to Him.  He doesn't give me one chance, and then back out.  Or two chances.  Or three.  He comes again.  He loves me again.  He shows me His goodness again.  And He will continue to do so forever

What a picture of the cross!  And what an amazing, passionate reminder that "by grace you have been saved and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." 


3 comments:

  1. Hey Kristen!
    Like the new blog. Love Hosea. Have you read 'Redeeming Love' by Francine Rivers? If you haven't you must, with absolute urgency! And if you have than you'll know why I'm mentioning it - it's a novel based on this tiny passage. It's amazing, a real revelation.
    Hope you're well :-) calli

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  2. Very provoking and a wonderful reminder. Also reminds me of how far I am from being conformed into the image of Christ. You, my dear, are much farther along. Love you!
    mom

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  3. wow :D Caroline was thinking my thoughts - awesome :D
    because i was totally going to suggest the same thing !! Kristen: if you haven't read "Redeeming Love" yet, you HAVE to !! It's one of my all-time favorite books (and that's easy considering Francine Rivers is one of my all-time favorite authoresses :D) it's fan-tabulous & definitely a must read !! you'll love it :D

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