Commentary: Hosea1-5. The meaning of Hosea is “Salvation”. The prophet had about 50years of prophetic ministry in the land of Israel, the northern part of the kingdom. God started with him by giving directives regarding his marital life. God’s connection to his spouse seemed to make no sense to an ordinary man, but God is a God of purpose. His steps to achieving a purpose might not be within human reasoning; however, a submissive heart would not ask questions because such knows that God’s purpose supersedes every other agenda.

Isaiah 55:8-11 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. … So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Looking into his marriage, we could see the purpose of God being uncovered as children were being born; each child was a definition of God’s purpose. The main purpose for God to use his marital life as an illustration was to demonstrate divine love of God for His people. The attitude of Hosea’s wife was likened to what the Lord’s people are actually doing against divinity. But God’s mercy and loving-kindness overwhelmed his judgment.

Hosea 3:1 “Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.”

The ministry of Hosea tells us more of how to find comfort in God’s plan even if it seems illogical to us. That ministry also makes us to realize that God’s love is available for a repentant heart. We could see, also, that marriage isn’t made up of two perfect people but between two imperfect people and a perfect God. You may have a horrible past, from what we have read, you could still find comfort in God’s love and mercy, which is Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus has given us the ministry of reconciliation. The problems in marriages should draw us closer to God if God was there in the beginning of it. Spouses should stand as help to one another in times of need as Hosea stood to listen to God’s instruction concerning her wife’s profanity and promiscuity. God is ready to reconcile us to Himself at all times.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

Reconciliation entails forgiveness and restoration. This is the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is Hosea6-10. Keep the fire of burning and alive.