Traveling On

Hosea 1:1-4

The word of the Lord that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

The name Hosea is an awful funny name that starts with man and ends in a Savior. See, the name Hosea is similar in shape and form unto that of Jesus himself, the Hebrew connotation being Yeshua. Halfway between God and man, the Savior and one in need of saving himself Hosea stands in stark contrast to the rest of Scripture. His is one of the few love stories told in its' entirety besides that of Solomon what with the dark tragedy and all. Unlike Solomon, Hosea would experience no deep or abiding love. For he knew it well. Unlike that pesky official who thought he'd never see the goodness of the Lord. Not would we had we not believed in the God of the land of the dead well as that of the living. Herein is grace found sufficient enough for both. We can only imagine how his father Beeri must have felt seeing his life's work swallowed up in anonymity. As his seemingly small and insignificant words joined the ministry of a major prophet. Isaiah was much more of a big deal being called to stand before kings and God and all. Yet his faithfulness did not go unnoticed nor his work unrewarded. How tiny he must have felt at times as though his life mattered not at all. History tells us that he and Isaiah were modern contemporaries of each other. This is not too hard to believe since their works appear in each the others. Now I know this view is not widely supported by Scripture. Yet it is found in historical record of the time and as such bears consideration.

How many of you know that when man is not, yet God is faithful. How well Hosea would have known disappointment. Indeed, he had grown up with it all his life. Isaiah 8:19-20 speaks of the voice of the mediums and the familiar spirits being loud in the people's ears. Their condition was even that of a light about to flicker and go out. Then tells the text of the hunger and all that came to pass after. I can only imagine what want, base need, and pure terror Beeri and his family must have felt. Consider his faith to see someone so close to him pass yet for him to waver not. Even though he should curse his God, yet he refused to call upon the divining spirits to hear the one that he had lost. There is little said of his wife as was the custom of that time. But then again there hardly needs to be. The silence says it all. Nor had he any others on which to call. All his family was likely either dead or far away if by his name we judge. Here the name Beeri is giving Hittite origins whose people should have died out long ago. Had only their leaders been faithful to God's command to drive out all that dwelt within the land. How many of you would have perished long ago were it not for God. History tells how these would migrate to what would later become Asia central of Paul's day. But first, they pestered Israel for a while. Despite all the kings and judges, it seemed nothing could be done. For what God meant to save alive would come to pass for it was to a holy purpose. My, what days in which they lived. Do you ever read texts like these and wonder why God even bothered. Look with me at this who's who roster if you will. With seven in all, and a divided kingdom, times were very bad. Of them all, three were wicked, four were not. See, it all started when one man took God's place. Everything started well at first. But then evil came creeping in and with it all the bad things that followed. From too young, to still evil, and not ready to die God took them. Through rebellion and division still there was hope. Well might have dear old father Beeri been called a well, broken though he was. After all this, I might want a little drink, as I'm sure would you had you been there. But you and I were not which meant God was.

The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord.

After all that happened, I wonder that Hosea even wanted to hear from God at all. Now, had I blamed God for everything, I too would likely feel bitter and resentful. Well might have Hosea been inclined to listen not at all. Yet none understood quite like the Lord. It is important to see that in all these things, God kept them. For all his lack and failures, father Beeri had it right. He taught his son to fear the Lord. See, when Ahab's wife had all those prophets hiding in the cave, I'm sure they must have felt like they would never see the light of day again. Much less experience the grace, mercy, and goodness of God in the land of the living. Especially not after everything they had been through. Some of them had nothing in this world save the Lord. Here the price of following him cost all. But these were not left alone and unrewarded. In children like Hosea their legacy remained. Now is the time of the judges, as when few others spoke. Only God alone remained. Rather than require him preach a sermon, he had only to live his life. Note how tenderly God cares for his battered and bruised prophet. Just as the broken reed which he quenched not so the care of God was beyond reproach.

How well Hosea understood being asked to only live his truth. For what can be said after such an experience with God. Between the people's lack and the prophet's faithfulness, few others would listen. Yet when he spoke it by Hosea, all Israel would hear from the smallest to the greatest. Having God with you is greater than anything this world can offer. To me, there is no greater testimony. What a witness, what a story. When he commands you to say that is one thing. When he speaks it with your life that is something different. When you have left him, then oh my friend, that is another thing altogether. See here the threefold nature of the call. It came first to Hosea, the chosen man, savior servant of God. In him we see the echo of the ages, the stories of all redeemed. How often would God have folded all under his wing as in … of the rebellious nation.

It is important to see that what happened then echoes the now. Perhaps you remember the people's rebellion. How the nation was torn in two divided between the northern and southern halves with one side being given to worship. Yet these too slowly came to decay. The wife of whoredoms indicates whose she would become. Surely she was not married yet. But still God saw her for who she was. Even so he knew whom she would become. For does not be know the end from the beginning. It is his place before you question it. It should e seen that the discussion borders upon free will and being chosen though God does not discuss it. As the one knowing the end from then beginning should fit cause any to wonder. Whether she was whoring now or later future is kind of beside the point. Yet still the promises of God remain. You would think being in him yes and amen more of us would have learned that by now. From the end to the beginning is it know. That is how some of you can be so sure. I'll go easy on you. If the Lord won't, I surely will. The nation of whoredoms speaks in short of the nation Israel, remaining after the division, chief among the rebellion, and then the first to fall. You might be wondering why it matters. Because it does, okay. God has not given everything for us to know just yet. At the time appointed will he bring such things about. For even so he can be trusted.

You might be wondering what difference it makes whether the kingdom is torn or no. As we will soon see, it matters a lot. Now regardless of what happens elsewhere, Hosea's personal life is about to be in shambles. In other words, the hot mess express is coming through. So also it should be seen in the word whoredom thrice repeated. I can hear you muttering 'i thought they were supposed to be a peculiar people.' Oh, they're peculiar alright. Is it not amazing how after all this time and everything they've done God still wants them. See, when we abide not still he is faithful; he cannot deny himself. Even when we believe not it when we stray, his promise to us remains. Else would he be called a liar and that is one thing he is not. See the heart of the Father reflected in his people. So good was he told them that despite their whorings they could find themselves no other quite like him. Is it not strange to find God calling after his wayward people. So often we sing in church 'prone to wander, Lord I feel it.' Well, if you feel it what did you do it for then. But really, God faults them none. He remembers their frame and knows they are but dust. The tone here is as a God knowing what they've done; still he only wants them back. Even if he has to call forth the son of a forgotten and mistreated prophet to do it. In all your mess and distress, how many know God has not forgotten you. He has not changed from when Hagar found so long ago who saw her. For God brooks no argument, no discussion, and no compromise. Nothing else would go out save his Word for he was the author of it just as he would finish his life. From beginning to end was it written. In the volume of God's book were Hosea's days numbered. See, God came not to merely judge but also to redeem man.

So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.

When the devil and to blame meet up, there can only be one result. So also this is the story of what happens when the daughter of the devil and the man of God meet up. My what a difference those two make. Small wonder then that Gomer turned out the way she was what with the situation, the hand of God, and all. Of her origins no further detail is given save only that of her father, Diblaim. The original Hebrew word closely resembles that of devil or demon in origin in its roots. From there, the double-minded man unstable in all his ways of ... took over. In the mouth he was sweet though unsalted and in danger of being trodden upon by men. While still a Hebrew, with the marks of the fig tree upon him and the heart of a devil underneath. What a father figure she had known. We can only guess at what poor Gomer must have suffered growing up at the hands of such a one. The name Gomer today has become a symbol of a stupid person; back in those days it's Hebrew meaning was to complete or to bring to an end. It is also not far removed from highness and weeping. Some of you that study ancient Hebrew may know it is a language made up entirely of symbols that vary based on emotion, use, and connotation. How often they take the base letter and add on to it a line or a dot until it is perfect. Still I am no expert in the matter. Though judge her not too harshly for the path she chose. It was all she ever knew. From brokenness and suffering come drug use, prostitution, rebellion, mental illness, physical disorders, and all the bad things which follow. Instead of adding all that to ourselves,

We should allow God to add himself to our situation. How fitting it was for her to represent the divided nation and the church as well. Lest you judge her too harshly so once were as pilgrims and strangers in this land. Some wandered far from the sheepfold of God indeed. As Lust becomes sin and when that is finished brings forth death. If you're hearing this today, the cycle is not done yet as God's promises remain. Yet despite all our mess and distress, hope comes creeping in softly on little cat feet. You see, hope came in the form of a small child borne to Hosea. How many know God holds you responsible for what you lay your hands on. As we will soon see that unlike Gomer and Diablam before him, Hosea will keep it very well. So also God keeps his children very well, better than the devil ever could. How it echoes the Son borne in direct line of David who would one day break the curse. Indeed, they called him Jesus for he would save his people from their sins. Notice how the whoredoms are tied to the wife, the children, and the land. See, sin never affects just you. It causes all else around to suffer too. Let us keep this in mind throughout this story that we call life shared together.