Like the other prophets, Hosea begins his book by telling us when he spoke God’s Word to the nation (Hosea 1:1). The background to this book is found in 2 Kings 14-20. While this is a period of political stability and material prosperity, it is also a time of gross idolatry. The powerful Assyrian empire is also steadily expanding towards the borders of Israel.

By this stage, in the middle of the eighth century BC, the kingdom has been torn in two. Both Hosea and Amos begin their ministry to Israel, the northern kingdom, at about the same time.

Nothing can prepare you for the shock of verse 2. God commands Hosea to go and marry literally ″a wife of whoredom″, a prostitute. Can God really be saying this? Adultery was listed as a prohibition in the Ten Commandments. It was disgraceful and demanded God’s judgement. Yet here is God’s own messenger being told by Him to marry an immoral woman. Why?

Notice the reason-″for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD″ (v. 2). In other words, the pain that Hosea would feel as he tries to love a woman who is continually unfaithful is a picture of the pain God feels in trying to love a people who continually go after other ″lovers″ or gods.

Have you ever thought about how God feels towards you? We say a lot about what God thinks and what He says, but Hosea is going to show us God’s feelings. God feels passionately about His people. When the New Testament talks about Christ purchasing the church to be His bride, it has a close parallel with the theme of Hosea. God loves us deeply, and every time we flirt with sin or replace God with something or someone else, we hurt the One we are bound to.

So, Hosea is a love story.

In obedience, Hosea marries Gomer (v. 3). He is called by God not just to deliver a message, but also to live that message out in his own family life. He will know the pain and heartache of loving but receiving no love in return.

May this story rekindle your love and commitment to the One who loves you.

Heavenly Father, as I read this love story, please rekindle my love for you and my commitment to you. In Christ, who loved and gave himself for me, amen.