Unfaithful
Day 449, Monday, Nov. 3
Hosea Chapters 1 – 4
We’ve seen examples before of prophets being told to do things that make their actions illustrate their prophesy, but that plays itself out more in Hosea than in any other prophet. Hosea is told to take an unfaithful wife so that their relationship will illustrate the relationship between a faithful God and an unfaithful people.
In just the second verse of the book we read, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.
In chapter 2 the prophet addresses their son, Jezreel, and promises coming reform and an end to pagan worship in the land. In verse 11 we read, “I will stop her celebrations: her yearly festivals, her New Moons, her Sabbath days—all her appointed festivals.”
God looks forward to a time when the relationship between him and the unfaithful people changes. “In that day you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’” In this promise of a new relationship between God and his people is an indication too of the relationship between a couple within marriage: one of care rather than authority.
In this promised new day, “Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety. I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.”
One terminology note to watch for in today’s reading is that Hosea does not refer to the whole people as “Israel” but distinguishes between the less faithful northern kingdom (Israel) and the more faithful southern kingdom (Judah).
-Mark Fleming
Monday meditation
Psalms 20:1-9
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!
Prayer focus
Lord, may we never stray from faithfulness to you.