today's meditation (Hos.3) Having a Personal Relationship

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Hosea 3:1-5) Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet is committing adultery, as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” 2 So I purchased her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and a homer and a lethech of barley. 3 Then I said to her, “You shall live with me for many days. You shall not play the prostitute, nor shall you have another man; so I will also be toward you.” 4 For the sons of Israel will live for many days without a king or leader, without sacrifice or memorial stone, and without ephod or household idols. 5 Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the Lord and to His goodness in the last days.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Because of Gomer's adultery, she was no longer considered Hosea's wife.  In order to restore her position according to customary practice, he purchased her and then had her quarantined for a certain number of days.  Remember, after even just menstruating or touching a deceased person, the Israelites were supposed to go through a quarantine period of cleansing.

This all symbolizes the events that Israel was and is going to go through.  The price Hosea paid for Gomer was that of a slave, and the forced seclusion symbolizes Israel's exile.  As for Israel returning to the Lord, that will happen in the Tribulation when they see the signs of His second coming.  And as for the Lord sitting on David's throne as King, that will happen in the Thousand Year Reign.

Having someone go through a time of seclusion or cleansing seems unfair until you consider that we are all sinners deserving death.  And it might seem harsh until we realize that the Lord Jesus came to earth in flesh to suffer and die in our place in order to pay the price for all sin so that we might have eternal life!  In His resurrection, He conquered death!

Just to be clear - we are born as slaves to sin - and Jesus paid for our freedom.  And He paid FAR MORE for us than the price of a slave!!!  Things are so much better with the Lord!  Why would one wait before running to Him, or running back to Him?  God desires to have a personal relationship with everyone.  And He desires to bless us.

(James 1:17)  Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.