Then she will say, 'I will go and return to my first husband

.... For then it was better for me than now’ (Hosea 2:7). The whole book of Hosea is a parable of Israel as an unfaithful wife,  and the Lord as the long suffering husband. The Lord commands Hosea “Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD” (1:2). Hosea  knows of the adultery in advance of the  marriage, and yet marries her anyway. After having given Hosea children,  she leaves him for other lovers.  Then suffering the consequences of her decisions comes this morning's verse. Like the prodigal son, she comes into her right mind realizing it was better then than “now” (Luke 15:17). How many of us had to come to the devastating result of our own rebellion (Galatians 6:7), before we too realized that His ways are best?

And in spite of her adultery,  Hosea buys her back from the slave market of her sin (3:1, 2).   The Lord also knew the faithlessness of humanity in advance. And the book of Hosea testifies clearly of His willingness to buy us back from our spiritual adultery. Indeed He  is not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). It does however require repentance and turning to Him in faith (John 3:16).  Ezekiel explains repentance. To repent is to “Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!" ( 14:6 ).  It is to "Turn! Turn from your evil ways" ( 33:11 ).

There is a secondary application to Hosea's parable (apart from salvation). It has to do with the casual modern attitude to marriage both in society,  and in the church.  I speak here neither from self righteousness, nor to bring condemnation. For one thing I have utterly failed in this area, and for another “there is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ” (Romans 8:1). The point is, that marriage among believes, is a parable of the relationship between Christ and the church, and it is something of a mystery (Ephesians 5:28-32). In other words when the world looks at Christian marriages, it is  intended to see the love of Christ for the World, and to motivate them to want in! Part of this is that He intends marriage to be permanent, with the primary exception Matthew 19:9) being marital unfaithfulness (including pornography – Matthew 5:28).  Even then it is by permission (19:8), and if we are to be imitators of God, then, as  Hosea's parable suggests, we might even then go the second mile. This is to love our spouse as Christ loved the Church,  and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25).

Father, thank You for Your amazing,  extravagant healing love and tender mercy. As Paul says the only reasonable response is to present our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1,2). I want to repent this morning Lord, in identification repentance  (Daniel 9:5) for myself,  for your church and for our culture, for the casual way we have treated marriage.  In this, according to Your Word,  the church has failed to demonstrate the love of Christ to the world, a love so great that You sent Your beloved Son that whosever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Forgive us Lord and help us to live lives worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8).  And we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen