Do You Trust Him?

Imagine being asked by God to marry a prostitute. Then asked to name your three children from that prostitute after the place where God will punish a king, “not loved”, and “not My people”. Kind of bizarre, wouldn’t you say? This is exactly what God commanded Hosea to do. And He did it. You’re probably thinking, how cruel! God was making a point, illustrating how the northern kingdom, Israel, acted like a prostitute by turning against God and worshipping other gods. Remember God is Sovereign; He can do what He wants. Hosea’s faithfulness to God helped Israel see their wickedness, it served its purpose. What we think is bizarre, God uses to accomplish His will. It’s not until we accept His Lordship, that we begin to understand His purpose. And even then, there are things we still don’t understand. That’s where trust and faith in knowing His character, and overall purpose comes into play. Knowing God, knowing His best is for our best and His glory, brings peace and a sense of “I’m okay with it, because I know the One behind the scenes is accomplishing His will”. God may ask you to do things that don’t make sense in a “worldly manner”, but it shouldn’t stifle you because you know the character and ultimate purpose of the One in control. Do you trust Him?

2 When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, He said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.”3 So Hosea married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she became pregnant and gave Hosea a son. 4 And the Lord said, “Name the child Jezreel, for I am about to punish King Jehu’s dynasty to avenge the murders he committed at Jezreel. In fact, I will bring an end to Israel’s independence. 5 I will break its military power in the Jezreel Valley.”6 Soon Gomer became pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter. And the Lord said to Hosea, “Name your daughter Lo-ruhamah–‘Not loved’–for I will no longer show love to the people of Israel or forgive them. 7 But I will show love to the people of Judah. I will free them from their enemies–not with weapons and armies or horses and charioteers, but by My power as the Lord their God.”8 After Gomer had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she again became pregnant and gave birth to a second son. 9 And the Lord said, “Name him Lo-ammi–‘Not My people’–for Israel is not My people, and I am not their God. Hosea 1:2-9