“The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful.” “Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.”
Hosea 4:7 & Hosea 14:2
On the way to church, a home caught my eye as I realized that it had fallen in greater disrepair than I had seen in the past. The roof had now come loose and was falling inside the long vacant home. Vines came and covered the home as it wrapped its growth around the abandoned home. No one longer lived in this home. It was unfortunate because previously it was taken care of by a family. How did this happen? It seemed as if they had just been residing there recently taking care of their home. But now it sat in disgrace. At church we talked about Hosea and the lack of faithfulness that not only Gomer was showing to Hosea the prophet in their marriage, but how it was an example of the broken relationship in Israel to God. At first glance, I almost did not see the contrast to this home and to the story. The lack of care, attention and devotion were the same things that had been lacking in the home. Ultimately, the abandoned home had exchanged its former glory to this now almost unrecognizable site of a home. We sometimes can display these same qualities. It does not happen all at once but most often, just a little at a time.
Israel had been devoted to the Lord, but over time they stopped looking to Him. There was a lack of knowledge of their Heavenly Father which led to the distance in their relationship. God called Hosea to marry Gomer as a picture of what this looks like. Our eyes wander, our desires grow and take shape, our hearts are no longer aligned but are drifting apart. We exchange our faithful devotion for something that is disgraceful. The home was a great picture of how little by little, we let things go and soon, we have nothing left to show.
But God is good. He called the people to return, to be forgiven and be faithful. God promised restoration to a people who did not deserve it, but to a people whom He still loved and cared for. Gomer returned to Hosea and was asked to remain and be faithful. We have a choice we can return and be faithful as well. Or we can exchange our relationship with our glorious God for something disgraceful. Hosea talks about how God would love to shepherd as sheep running in the pasture rather than the heifer that has to be steered. What a beautiful picture that is! God wants us to truly run free in the meadow, knowing where He is at all times. God can call to us and care for us. We are not fenced in because there is no need for that. We know His plans and we happily obey. But the heifer pulls and bucks because they fight the master. Thinking they know best they become stubborn and disobedient. God is good! He reminds us to be faithful in all things. It is not always easy and this is why He calls to us each morning to look to Him so that He can guide us and not ourselves.
Finally, I am reminded of the Proverb in chapter 6 verse 10 and 11, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a theif and scarcity like an armed man.” If we are not careful in our daily living, we can become comfortable and forget what we ought to be doing. This comfort zone can often get us into trouble. God graciously reminds us to be faithful at all times so that we do not find ourselves unaware when trouble surrounds us. It was a great reminder looking at the home in disrepair, to be faithful, watchful and waiting for the Lord to guide our days and activities, so that our home is a glorious reflection of the loving and faithful God we serve.