Archive for August 9th, 2008
Today Ardith Keef uses one line about the story of Hosea in the way any cult leader might do it in order to convince someone that it is ok, even God’s will to do something weird. It is a perfect Bible story to twist , when someone is being told by “leaders of cults” that God is calling them to separate from their mates, their families, their children for instance. “God is leading you in this strange and bazzare direction, but look at Hosea, God even made him marry a prostitute and have children by her !”, the false leader might say, as they lead you astray ,and away from those loved ones God has given you.
The Book of Hosea is really a book about God’s Love for His people, it’s not a license for Christians to do something out of the will of God. The book of Hosea is a tremendous love story. It is about forgiveness and restoration. Hosea was asked to marry a woman whom God told Hosea would be unfaithful and she was. But God told Hosea to take her back and love her. Hosea did.
Finally, his wife Gomer was older, and not pretty any more, but again he searched her out. She was completely used up and worn out by her other lovers, but he brought her home and loved her , again and again. The story was a story of God’s Love for His people, but Hosea, through his suffering and trials clearly showed his people the Love of God. The long suffering, grace, and the goodness of God that desires to lead all of us personally to Himself.
“All that God has and does for us, all that He has promised to do in the future and eternity, will never come true or be a reality unless we like sinful Gomer, come to see ourselves, our sinful selfish ways, our spiritual whoredom- and return to the Lord who owns and bought us.” www.geocities.com The Story of Hosea
Quoting again from www.geocities.com The story of Hosea “Now we can argue about why God would have called Hosea to submit his life to such hurt and sorrow, but one thing we cannot argue about- the Love of God. It calls us to realize that all we have is because of God’s unquenchable love for each of us. But in a more earthly picture, such a love can restore broken relationships within God’s will. It also can, like Hosea, keep us close to His promises and resting in His arms.”
The book of Hosea is about LOVE ,FORGIVENESS ,and RESTORATION!
Every day I watch a young man who continues to love his wife, who continues to be true to her, continues to desire for her to come home so that they might serve the Lord together, as they both vowed before God and man to do. She has abandoned him and his children, to follow cult leaders , but he stays faithful to her. He is trying everything he can to keep his marriage in tact. He is doing all he can to keep his family together. This is genuine, unconditional love. Every day I see a young boy who totally forgives his step-mother for abandoning him, and longs to see her and his younger brothers. This is unconditional love! This is the true picture of what God was saying through Hosea. It is a picture of His longsuffering, grace, and goodness. This is what God’s love is like for all of us who have sinned, and have turned away from Him over and over again.
Today, Ardith Keef ask’s the question, “can you find another truth.” To this I can sincerely answer, there is only one Truth, but there are many imitations of Him out there. He said for us to “Beware! of false prophets who are devouring wolves in sheeps clothing.” Be careful of listening to “another Gospel” that sounds for all the world like the reality. Ardith says, “Is there another who will answer when you call?” Yes! Be sure you have the right “Jesus.” Satan is cunning, sly, slippery, and The Master Deceiver of all time, and wants us to think he is the Most High God! He won’t have horns and a tail, he will look exactly like Jesus and will delude and mislead many. Those who think “It will never happen to me. I won’t be deceived”, are the most susceptable. Again I say, “Beware.” Test the spirit. Examine the fruit.