Hosea 3
Hosea’s Wife Is Redeemed
1 Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she[a] commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.[b]”
Father, Thank-You so much. I know this is exactly what You do for me. I am so unworthy of Your love, and yet You do love me! You are so good I can’t believe it! Praise and glory to You forever! I can’t express how awesome it is to know You love me, in spite of myself! I have a hard time loving me, but You, creator of the universe, love me!
2 So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver[c] and five bushels of barley and a measure of wine.[d] 3 Then I said to her, “You must live in my house for many days and stop your prostitution. During this time, you will not have sexual relations with anyone, not even with me.[e]”
4 This shows that Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests,[f] or even idols! 5 But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David’s descendant, their king.[g
Father, how often have I left You and become a slave like Hosea’s wife did, and You bought me back? But You bought me back with the blood of Jesus! And how often do I make You separate Yourself from me and make me be alone so that I will finally return to You and be faithful to You? I am trembling now at Your goodness. You are amazing.
Footnotes:
- Hosea 3:1 Or Go and love a woman who.
- Hosea 3:1 Hebrew love their raisin cakes.
- Hosea 3:2 Hebrew 15 shekels of silver, about 6 ounces or 171 grams in weight.
- Hosea 3:2 As in Greek version, which reads a homer of barley and a measure of wine; Hebrew reads a homer [5 bushels or 182 liters] of barley and a lethech [2.5 bushels or 91 liters] of barley.
- Hosea 3:3 Or and I will live with you.
- Hosea 3:4 Hebrew ephod, the vest worn by the priest.
- Hosea 3:5 Hebrew to David their king.
*Hosea3*
