Go marry a prostitute?

18/5/12

S: Hosea 1:2 When the LORD first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the LORD and worshiping other gods.”

O: Time and time again, the Bible tells believers not to marry people who are not following God, yet here we have a direct command from God to the prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute!

God had a very specific reason for this. His people had fallen away from Him, yet He still loved them. So He was calling them back to Himself, and Hosea was to be living illustration of how God was faithful even when His people were faithless, and that repentance was still possible.

A: While you're still alive, there is still hope. If you have turned your back on God, repent now and return! He loves you. God does not desire the wicked to die but rather to repent and turn back to Him.

P: Father, thank You for your great mercy and grace! In Jesus' name, amen.

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Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)