18
Stay With the Prostitute
“Stay with the prostitute.”
That has got to be the WORST command that God ever gave to a man.
The man was Hosea, a prophet of the Lord. God tells him to marry a lady of the night, a promiscuous woman named Gomer. And God even tells Hosea- “dude- she ain’t gonna stop cheating neither. But stay with her.”
So, Hosea obeys, and marries Gomer. She very quickly goes back to her old lifestyle. Hosea brings her back again and again. Eventually, he outright BUYS her back.
WHY THE HECK WOULD ANY MAN GO THROUGH SUCH A HEARTBREAKING ORDEAL?!!!
Two reasons:
Hosea and Gomer’s relationship were to serve as a picture for the people of Israel. Here is the Billy Graham or the Rick Warren of the people of Israel…married to a cheating hooker. And yet he lovingly and graciously and patiently remains faithful despite all her wickedness. That’s how Israel was treating God. And they felt it in a very real way as they watched their spiritual leader endure such pain. That’s how we treat God. Yet He loves us and remains faithful to this day.
Hosea and Gomer’s relationship serves as a model for us to follow. DON’T BAIL. Marriage isn’t like a cell phone or a car that you just replace when you’re bored or when it gets old. Don’t cheat. Don’t quit. Never give up. And don’t stop forgiving either. Forgive. Endure. Embrace. Take back. Buy back. Lay hold of the claim which you previously staked. With God’s anointing, the two of you will get through anything.
Jay
