Reflection One on Hosea

This morning in Sunday School (yes, I finally figured it out), we briefly examined the first chapter of Hosea.  This is an interesting book.  First of all, it is interesting to see that God would ask a mortal man to marry someone unfaithful to illustrate a point. Of course, my jaded mind says we are all unfaithful.  Now some of you will scoff, but it is true.  We are all unfaithful to God at times. Be honest.  How many of us have idols in the high places?  Television, time, sporting events, just what we want to do.  Those are idols.  Anyway, back to Hosea, he was a obedient to God.  He must have known that his obedience would come at a heavy cost.  He married Gomer.  One translation called her an adulterous woman, another a prostitute.  In the first chapter, Gomer bears three children and each one is named by God as a further illustration of Israel's separation from Him.  Can you imagine how Hosea must have felt?  Unfaithful wife and three children, some of whom may not even be his.  Listen to their names: Jezreel (God scatters) - named for a valley where the Israelites shed much blood, Lo-ruhamah (unloved or pitied), and Lo-ammi (Not My People).  Think about it for a minute....very sad.  

Don't we sometimes lament our plight in this life.  Yet, here is Hosea being obedient to God and at the same time sentenced to live a life full of heartache and pain.  I will post more on this study as we go.