Idolatry Vs. Adultery - September 10

Read Hosea 2:16-20 (ESV)

“And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call me ‘My Husband’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’ For I will remove the names of Baal from her mouth, and they shall be remembered no more. And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the fields, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.”

Reflect

How was God’s covenant with Israel like a marriage? How is our relationship with God like a marriage as well?

Idolatry and adultery may seem like two separate sins but when we go back to the Bible, we see that the two sins are more alike than we may initially think. In fact, numerous times in the Old Testament, God called Israel a “harlot” because of their idolatry. You see, both sins have to do with a lack of faithfulness. Idolatry is taking other gods for yourself which is a lack of faithfulness to God. Adultery is taking other lovers which is a lack of faithfulness to your spouse. So, God used adultery as an illustration to help Israel understand the seriousness of their sin against Him.

One example of this is in the book of Hosea. Hosea was a prophet to the northern kingdom, Israel, in their final stages as a nation. He prophesied from approximately 755-710 B.C. When Hosea was called by God to prophesy to Israel, they seemed to be a successful and prosperous nation—at least on the outside. On the inside, they were a grossly immoral people who had forsaken the Lord their God. If you recall, after Israel split into two kingdoms, Judah, in the south, had a few good kings. But Israel, in the north, did not have a single king faithful to the Lord.

God had been more than patient with Israel but they persisted in their sin. Thus, it was Hosea’s job to call out their sin and warn them of imminent judgment at the hands of Assyria. But, Hosea’s message included this encouragement as well: God still loved them, He still had compassion for them, and ultimately, He would save His people (Hosea 11:8,14:4).

Hosea is unique in the fact that God used Hosea’s own marriage as an illustration of Israel’s unfaithfulness to Him. In chapters 1-3, Hosea married a woman named Gomer and they had 3 children. But she cheated and ran around on him. Unfortunately, after deserting Hosea, she found herself in the slave market. But God told Hosea to love her still. So, despite her adultery, despite her sin, Hosea bought her back (redeemed her) from the slave market and took her home again as his wife.

Hosea’s experience with Gomer gave him unique insight into God’s perspective concerning Israel’s idolatry. He understood how heartbreaking it is to love someone that rejects you and repeatedly engages in sin and self-destructs. That is why Israel’s idolatry is considered spiritual adultery.

Hosea is a story of unrequited love between Hosea and Gomer but also between Israel and God. God made a covenant with Israel, but they rejected Him. God is just, so He did allow them to experience discipline and judgment for breaking their word, persisting in sin, and ignoring warnings to repent (see Chapters 9-10). Still, despite all of that, we read in Hosea 11 that God still loves Israel and in chapter 14 that ultimately, He will redeem and restore them.

Isn’t Hosea’s act of redeeming Gomer from the slave market a poignant picture of Christ redeeming us from the captivity of our sins? In fact, that is our Scarlet Thread of redemption. And, in today’s verses, we see God’s ultimate plan to restore His people. This “betrothal” that Hosea speaks of is God’s promise of a New Covenant with His people. When Jesus returns for His people, they will no longer be considered prostitutes but the bride of Christ. They will no longer be under the law but under grace. They will never speak the name of another god or even remember other gods because they know who is Lord. Even all of creation will be restored and the people will live in peace. So friend, if you have yet to repent and turn back to God, what’s holding you back? Hosea shows us that God’s love for us is unconditional and underserved. He’s holy and just but He’s also loving, gracious, and merciful. Come home to the only True Love.

Respond

Lord, I confess that I am guilty of idolatry and spiritual adultery. I know that I have not been completely faithful to You. And yet, You still love me and have graciously redeemed me. Thank You for being both loving and just. Thank You for never turning me away when I seek You in repentance. Amen.

Reveal

Choose one possession, habit, activity, or ambition that sometimes competes with God for your devotion, and give some of the time or resources you normally spend on it to bless someone else. Tell that person why you made the choice: you want your life to reflect that God, not the things of this world, has your heart. Let a practical act of generosity turn your attention back toward your first love.