Rejected Love

Introduction:

Hosea’s opening chapter shows the power of loving even when it’s not returned. Hosea is inspired to love by God’s command and becomes insulted by an unappreciated and unreturned love, but ultimately sees the impact of a rejected love.

I. Inspired to Love (1:1-3)

Hosea is instructed by God to go and marry a wife. But the instruction is for him to do the unusual; marry a woman who will prove herself to be unfaithful. Marrying a known promiscuous woman was unthinkable at this time. It was an invitation to violate the law and become espoused to someone who would never honor the marriage. The absurd request was used to show the absurdity of God’s covenant relationship with a people who continued to be unfaithful. Hosea’s relationship with Gomer, was instigated by God, just as God’s relationship with Israel was initiated by God himself. Gomer did not seduce Hosea, he went specifically looking for her. When he found her, he sees her as his assigned wife, not simply an attractive woman.

He marries her when other men would only bed her. Hosea makes her his responsibility when others would only use her for their recreation. This is a one-sided love affair. This faithful husband will love her more than she loved him in return.

Obligated Love (1:2a) - 2 When the Lord first spoke to Hosea, He said this to him: Go and marry a promiscuous wife and [have] children of promiscuity,

One-Sided Love (1:2b-3) - “for the whole land has been promiscuous by abandoning the Lord. 3 So he went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.”

“The Lord said to Moses, "You are about to rest with your fathers, and this people will soon commit adultery with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will abandon Me and break the covenant I have made with them.” - Deuteronomy 31:16 (NIV)

“14 You are to never bow down to another god because the Lord, being jealous by nature, is a jealous God.” - Exodus 34:14 (HCSB)

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” - 1 John 4:10

III. Insulted in Love (1:4-9)

Hosea’s faithful love is insulted by the uncertain paternity of the children Gomer birthed during their marriage. Three children were given names that spoke to their mother’s infidelity as a symbol of Israel’s unfaithfulness. Every time Hosea looked at them or heard their name, it reminded him of the painful embarrassment Gomer had caused him. He is openly loving a woman who openly betrays his love.

Avenge my People = Jezreel (1:4-5) - “4 Then the Lord said to him: Name him Jezreel, for in a little while I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu and put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. 5 On that day I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.”

Unloved People = Lo-ruhmah (1:6-7) - “6 She conceived again and gave birth to a daughter, and the Lord said to him: Name her No Compassion, for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel. I will certainly take them away. 7 But I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will deliver them by the Lord their God. I will not deliver them by bow, sword, or war, or by horses and cavalry.”

Not-My-People = Lo-ammi (1:8-9) - “8 After Gomer had weaned No Compassion, she conceived and gave birth to a son. 9 Then the Lord said: Name him Not My People, for you are not My people, and I will not be your God.”

III. Impactful Through Love (1:10-11)

God finally gives a glimmer of hope to Hosea’s prophecy, by declaring He will increase Israel. Despite the nation’s Spiritual infidelity, God’s mercy will move Him to love them still. More than love them, he will increase the nation, and drive away their enemies. Great His his mercy!

Increased by Love (1:10) - “10 Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And in the place where they were told: You are not My people, they will be called: Sons of the living God.”

United by Love (1:11) - “11 And the Judeans and the Israelites will be gathered together. They will appoint for themselves a single ruler, and go up from the land. For the day of Jezreel will be great.”

“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:” - Romans 11:26

“28 For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations. 29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul. 30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. - Psalm 22:28-30