Spend any time reading the prophetic callings found in Hosea and you quickly realize this is not a "feel good" book. As such, it can be a bit heavy. Loving a whore is frustrating. Ask God.
But this scenario--of God loving an unfaithful people, or even a foolish person--is as common as the rhythms of sunrise and sunset. Running from God and spurning His love which renews, guides, and blesses results in a wasted life.
Jesus, notes a gospel writer, was sad as the rich young man walked away from the call to "sell all that you have, give to the poor, and come, follow Me." Jesus loved him. Offered him the insightful prescription for experiencing eternal life. The young professional walked away, and we never hear about him again.
Conversely, responding to God's love and staying faithful in a relationship with Him yields a living that is blessed each day and will experience increasing blessing into eternity. Psalm 1 promises "his leaf shall not wither; he will bear fruit each season, whatever he does will prosper."
Insight. Understanding. Wisdom. Humility before God. These are the gifts which yield such an outcome.
LIFE WITH or WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING?
"...a people without understanding shall come to ruin" (Hosea 4:14).
Hosea not only watched his wife wander through weeks and months losing both her body and soul, but he watched the people of his nation do the same. They were coming to ruin. How? Routinely rejecting the understanding that comes uniquely from the Lord.
"...a wind has wrapped them in its wings, and they shall be ashamed..." (Hosea 4:19)
The picture is of a wild wind whipping untethered objects -- in this case people -- wherever it will, landing them in no particular place and for no particular purpose. "The wicked are not so," Psalm 1, "but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. In the judgment, they will not stand."
No one need to have the winds of block-headed, prideful foolishness spin them around like this. No one. The Lover of our souls remains true in His love and, in this day of grace, His offer of life-reversing understanding -- found in Christ Jesus His Son -- is as good as the cross and the empty tomb.
"The beginning of wisdom is this: GET WISDOM! And whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you. She will honor you if you embrace her...My son, Keep hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life" (Proverbs 4).
Take a moment. Ask God...perhaps for the first time in a long time...for His gift of understanding, for your coming days. The wild winds may just calm down.
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