The Moment I Realized NOTHNG Can Separate Us From God's Love (The Story of Hosea)

I was reading the story of Hosea in the Torah portion this week and I had to share a revelation I had about God’s love for you and for me.

Have you ever heard that the church replaced Israel? It’s one of those things I used to hear in church all the time, but never really gave it much thought.

But think with me for a moment about what that actually means—That God would abandon his chosen people. That He would stop loving them, divorce them, and ultimately find another bride.

If God would do that for His special people, what’s to say He wouldn’t also abandon us?

Have you felt like that in your life?

You with me? Ok great

This takes us to Hosea.

Watch the video this story of Hosea on Youtube

The Story of Hosea

Maybe you’re familiar with story: where God tells Hosea to Marry a lady named Gomer.

Sounds nice and sweet until you realize the context: she’s a prostitute.

What?!

Photo by LoboStudio Hamburg

Through the story of Hosea’s life, God is crafting a living picture that describes how the people of Israel had been living.

The have two babies all while Gomer continues to be unfaithful.

• One is named Lo-ruhamah (No compassion)

• One is named Lo-Ammi (Not my people)

It seems that hope is lost. That God is saying with finality that I won’t have compassion on you—no, you aren’t going to be my people any more—I’m not your God. He’s trying on last attempt to wake up his children to see the gravity of the situation they intentional walked into.

BUT, here’s what happens next...

When all hope seems lost, God brings a prophetic word to Hosea:

The number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which can neither be measured nor counted; And it shall be that instead of it being said about them, "you are not my people." (לֹא עַמִּי) It will be said of them, "the children of the living God."
—Hosea 2:1

Did you get that??

God is telling His people that absolutely nothing would separate his them from Him.

That he would go to great lengths to win them back, just like Hosea pursued his unfaithful wife.

“So then, I Myself will entice her, I will bring her into the wilderness and speak to her heart.
I will give her back her vineyards from there and make the valley of Achor a door of hope. She will respond there—as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of the land of Egypt.

Then I will betroth you to Me forever—yes, I will betroth you to Me with righteousness, justice, covenant loyalty and compassion.
—Hosea 2:16–17, 21

God is declaring that even at the darkest moment in the most desolate valley, there would be a doorway of hope. Where God himself would marry them forever with justice, kindness, and mercy.

What an amazing, beautiful picture of the God who loves and wants to know His people!

This reveals His character—WHO He is!

This means that we have a God who loves and wants to know YOU.

And if God continues to remain faithful to His chosen people, this is GOOD NEWS for us.

There is no distance He won't overcome, no circumstance too difficult, to show you His love.

He is a faithful God who always keeps His covenants. 🙏

Share your story

Have you had an experience of God’s loving faithfulness in your life?

Share your story in the comments. I’d love to hear it.

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Shalom!