Emphasis Preaching Journal
Hosea has been a difficult...
Illustration
Hosea has been a difficult book for many believers. Why would God ask a prophet to
marry a prostitute? Surely Hosea knew that chances of her faithfulness were small
indeed. Scholars say the Hosea-Gomer story is a parable of God and Israel. Remember
the old rhyme? "How odd of God to choose the Jews?" That dancing around the golden
calf in the wilderness was only a prelude to the unfaithfulness God's people exhibited
again and again. Yet God did not give up on God's beloved, despite their wayward ways.
Someone sitting in the pew next Sunday needs to hear the word of the Lord that comes