Wednesday 23 January 2013

Background

Yesterday's passage focused on the anguishfelt by Hosea as a result of Gomer's adultery and betrayal, and byextension the prophet's sense of how God must feel as a result ofIsrael's faithlessness. But at the end of that passage, Hoseaexpressed his hope that Gomer may yet return to him, and respond"as in the days of her youth'.

It is this hope of restoration that is explored in today'spassage. It follows on and is best understood as the Lord speakingthrough the mouth and experience of Hosea. It's not just that Gomerreturns to be a faithful wife, it's that her reconciliation withHosea is symbolic of what needs to happen to the whole createdorder: "I will make for you a covenant on that day with the wildanimals, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of theground" (v. 18).

Such a restoration will also have an impact on the widerpolitical and military situation facing Israel: "I will abolish thebow, the sword, and war from the land; and I will make you lie downin safety" (v. 18). And their children too will be included in thisreconciliation; the Lord "will sow" Jezreel (and the land bearfruit) for himself, "have pity" on Lo-ruhamah and say to Lo-ammi"you are my people" (verse 23). (These actions are the opposite tothe meaning of the three children's names.)

But all of this rests on the realisation that it is not simply afamily relationship being restored; Gomer and Hosea's marriage is asymbol of what needs to happen for Israel as a nation, that thepeople need to return to God. This is what it means for Gomer toreturn as not just a marriage partner, but as a wife "inrighteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy", andfor Israel to "know the Lord".

To Ponder

• Hosea is making a link between his family situation and thelife of the nation. To what extent is it fair to make that kind ofa link today?

• How far do you think the Church should be upholding 'familyvalues'?

• Throughout this account we hear Hosea's voice: how do you thinkGomer (or indeed their children) might hear and respond to Hosea'schallenge?