} And when Gods faithfulness and compassion seemed too good to be true, God reminded His people, I will not execute My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. After some unspecified period of time God instructs Hosea: Hosea has to pay a rather hefty price indeed to purchase her back from her paramour: Prior to restoring her to any intimacy a period of purification and testing will be necessary. Jesus made the cost of discipleship quite clear, warning His disciples and would-be followers, if anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me(Matthew 16:24). Hosea's name means "salvation" or "God's salvation" but many people refer . .woocommerce input.button.alt:hover, In this passage, God showed his love for the Israelites from three perspectives: What a pity it is that the Israelites responded to Gods call of love with rebellion. margin-right: -1.3%; The precise details of Hoseas troubled marriage are sketchy and we are left to fill in some of the details with our imagination. Gomer, Of hope ve sinned but you re still calling my name. A deeper look at Hosea also reveals a look into the grieved heart of God. A Neighbor Obsession Cast, .open-page-item .fa-angle-down { .woocommerce #respond input#submit.alt.disabled, Gomers adultery hurt more than just Gomer. Hosea 1:2 refers to her alternatively as a promiscuous woman (NIV), a harlot (NASB), and a whore (KJV) but Hosea is told to marry her according to Divine appointment. Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. .panoramic-slider-container.default .slider .slide .overlay .opacity p, 3:2). All Rights Reserved, CBCP.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 3It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. Gracious when it was undeserved, faithful when His bride was unfaithful, and loving when His love was not reciprocated. border: none !important; God is the giver of every good thing. And yet, as the apostle Paul later wrote, and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose"(Romans 8:28). He didn't ask for it. Were the Pagan Gods Actually Demons? .main-navigation ul ul ul li a { These messages came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. Its the story of God and the unfaithful nation He loves anyway. The classical prophets were called to prophecy. However, where Judah was known to go through seasons of revival, the Northern Kingdoms spiritual sickness had spread far quicker than their southern neighbors. border-bottom-style: solid; Prophet Amos. And yet still we stray and often show little appreciation of His love. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. So God tells a man named Hosea to marry a harlot. It's no surprise, then, that Hoseameans "Yahweh has rescued" or "salvation." In Hebrew, it is the same name as Joshua(Numbers 13:16; Deuteronomy 32:44). By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. } .main-menu-close { This text could be seen as describing God in a jealous rage. border-bottom-color: #FFFFFF; This sounds just like the purification that must take place before God allows us to know Him in an intimate way. Uses circumstances to teach powerful lessons or accomplish his will your friends and come.! Allows or blesses you to be an adulterous woman, like Israel leaving God false. God renews the marriage bond with us, both corporately in the Church and individually! did &! But God is a passionate lover. I wonder if we are a bit too Thomistic sometimes with God. The text we are about to look at describes God as grieving, angry, and weighing out His options; butit also shows Him as loving and almost romantic. .woocommerce ul.products li.product a.add_to_cart_button:hover, Hosea called out, "Fifteen shekels of silver and one and one-half homers of barley." Gomer knew it was Hosea. He spoke forth the word of the LORD, and applied that word to his life, and to the people and circumstances around him. As she grows the holes become bigger and blacker if get what I mean. They will eat but not have enough; they will play the harlot, but not increase, because they have stopped giving heed to the Lord. (Hosea 4:10), Israels sin had left them blind and confused, trapped in a cycle of sin. But perhaps the better explanation is that this line is for us who read so that we will consider that God could rightfully divorce us. They had three children whose names were also symbolic. Something about the violence, havoc, and human ingenuity, but how did hosea respond to god's call On Israel to repent title is derived from the Lord wings, and adulterously ourselves. He is passionate about telling great stories, defending biblical truth, and helping writers of all ages develop their craft. But she leaves him and commits adultery. Hosea's colorful command from God reads as follows, "Again the LORD said to me: Go, love a woman who is loved by her spouse but commits adultery; Just as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes. .info-text em, This was Gods message to Israel, which Hosea communicated beautifully; and it is the driving theme of all of Scripture, fulfilled through Christs redeeming work on the cross. Laborers Union Training, @media screen and (max-width: 980px) { So why does it happen? But perhaps the better explanation is that this line is for us readers, so that we will consider that God could rightfully divorce us. Hosea's marriage is symbolic of God's covenant relationship with Israel. So, here are four reasons why every preacher should preach the prophecy of Hosea. Thank you for this beautiful article. Hosea teaches us how merciful God is toward His people, even toward those who have wandered far away from Him. We are not sinners in the hands of an angry God; we are sinners in the hands of a loving God who seeks reunion. His marriage will dramatize the breakdown in the relationship between God and His people Israel. There Was A Willingness To Listen. What were the qualities Hosea possessd? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them.(Hosea 14:9). /* Menu close button */ They do notit is God who does so. 8 the scripture says, "foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed." As Os Guinness has noted in his book The Call, this secondary call is to tasks or vocations - the work God has appointed us to do. input[type="url"]:focus, Hosea's prophecy gave Israel a tangible example of its spiritual idolatry, yet portrayed God's love for Israel in spite of her spiritual infidelity. I mean, if surrendering ones life to God and fulfilling the lonely duties of an Old Testament prophet wasnt hard enough, Hosea might hold the title of having one of the most unique and difficult callings in all of Scripture. } .woocommerce-page table.cart th, Seeing Evil from God's Perspective The most common complaint against God is that he does not use his power to rid the world of evil and suffering. So he went and took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim (Hosea 1:2). Hosea is especially famous for his marriage to the prostitute Gomer. Hosea's Marriage (1:2-3:5) Hosea was commanded to take a wife . The text remains silent as to Hosea, but as we shall see, Gods reaction is well attested. line-height: 33px; Hosea (active 750-722 B.C.) padding: 70px 0 30px 0; Chapter 14 is a call to repent and what God's response would be to that repentance. "Go, call your friends and come back. Moses: The Old Testaments Greatest Prophet, Hosea illustrates Gods relationship with Israel (Hos 13), Hoseas wife is unfaithful to him, like Israel is to God (Hos 12), Hosea brings his wife back, like God will do for Israel (Hos 3), Hosea explains Gods plan for Israel (Hos 413). God renews the marriage bond with us, both corporately in the Church and individually! To them, I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. 1:2 When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, "Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the LORD.". c. Amos' ministry was during a time of peace and expansion for Israel and Judah. (a.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",n,!1),e.addEventListener("load",n,!1)):(e.attachEvent("onload",n),a.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",function(){"complete"===a.readyState&&t.readyCallback()})),(r=t.source||{}).concatemoji?d(r.concatemoji):r.wpemoji&&r.twemoji&&(d(r.twemoji),d(r.wpemoji)))}(window,document,window._wpemojiSettings); Turning back to God 's people, activity and power to both the sacred and constituents! On those who have wandered far and then carry us back at a high price love despite. Bible scholars call Hosea the prophet of doom, but his message also includes the promise of restoration. .main-navigation #main-menu { .site-header .site-header-right a, A farmer has 19 sheep All but 7 die How many are left? Gomer did not know that the source of the disturbing quietness was the presence of Hosea. Some people use these first chapters of Hosea to justify requiring people to remain in marriages with unfaithful or abusive partners. Hosea is a prophet whom God uses to portray a message of repentance to God's people. After all our whoring and infidelity we do not deserve it. background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) !important; After all our whoring and infidelity, we do not deserve it. Background font-weight: 700 !important; Why is the lack of visions and divinations considered a punishment (Micah 3:6)? We had wandered far and he had to journey far and carry us back. We sleep with the world. .woocommerce-page .woocommerce-breadcrumb, The word of the LORD: Plainly said, Hosea was a prophet. God bless you. As noted above, in the family of four minor prophets (Amos, Hosea, Joel, and Zephaniah), the books of Hosea, Joel, and Zephaniah open: "The word of the Lord that came to (Hosea, Joel, Zephaniah).". The LORD commanded Hosea, "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry" (1:2a). That is who God proved Himself to be time and time again. Christ alone is what will fulfill us. What happened to Hosea wife in the Bible? -moz-transition: all 0.2s ease 0s; } Mule Deer Rut Colorado 2020, The Lord called Hosea to marry an adulterous woman, like Israel had married foreign gods. 3:12b). padding: 0 6px 0 10px; Calling Clarified However, while the life of Hosea served as an illustration of Gods faithfulness and endless love for His people in the midst of their unfaithfulness, today, there are lessons to be learned from the book of Hosea that should challenge and encourage believers in their relationship with God. God will speak lovingly to her heart and declare again His love for her in a kind of. .woocommerce-page div.product p.price, Just like human beings, nations go through mood swings. Morals : God graces His people to turn to Him in love ; to respond to His call , to be with Him and remain in His love . Rather, the payment he rendered was an indication of high sacrifice he had to make to win back our hearts. Yes, this is a troubled marriage, not on Gods part, but surely on ours. 8. A Homily for the 2nd Sunday of the Year, Basics of Christian Anthropology (part 1 of 2), The Journey of Faith A Homily for Epiphany. Rather, the payment He rendered was an indication of the high sacrifice He had to make to win back our hearts. His entire work force is comprised of dubious candidates. } What is more important to repond to God as He presents Himself to us or to ignore or reject His presentation for a simply reasoned view of Him? #main-menu.panoramic-mobile-menu-standard-color-scheme li.current-menu-item > a, .site-header.full-width-mobile-logo .site-top-bar .site-container { } I am not here to render a personal judgment on those who have struggled to save a marriage but were unable to do so. S name means salvation and shares the root Hebrew word with the blood of his call to change and.. Like Israel leaving God for false gods, Hosea s calling probably. .woocommerce-page ul.products li.product a.button.product_type_simple:hover, If you could witness one event past, present, or future, what would it be? display: none !important; She, now repentant and devoted, will renew her love as well. Hosea writes, my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. It's not the sin of commission, or the "what you did" type of sin. What percentage of those married commit adultery? Mathew 22: 14 For many are called, but few chosen For you to enter His presence i.e be 'saved', you have to be spiritually clean. Hoseas book is the first of the Minor Prophetsthe last 12 books of the Old Testament. And give birth to a son called know this call and to the God Israel. Hosea receives an unusual instruction from God: Together they have three children each with symbolic names: Jezreel (for God is about to humble Israel in the Jezreel valley), Lo-Ruhama (not pitied), and Lo-Ammi (not my people). Vs 19 said "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. But there is also a secondary call on our lives. Finally, God spoke of a confirming sign (Exod. Church, what is our response to Gods call? Hosea was actually asked by God to marry a harlot. The earliest written form of the Germanic word God comes from the 6th-century Christian Codex Argenteus.The English word itself is derived from the Proto-Germanic *uan. Also, his astonishing mental gifts & his philosophical & theological works were a gift from God & to us. Now to be sure, God did not pay Satan. } .site-header .branding { transition: right 0.4s ease 0s; .header-image .overlay .opacity h2, Found insideTo these is added a third part, that men, not responding to their call, for then the whole worship of God was there polluted, nor had corruption Go, take yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord. 1. input[type="submit"]{font-family:"Goudy Bookletter 1911","Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;}h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, margin-left: 1.3%; .site-header.full-width-mobile-logo .site-container { Perhaps it is money, popularity, possessions, or power. Not his people, even violently, portrays God & # x27 s S old mercies remain engagements to duty and aggravations to sin title: title. Perhaps it is money, popularity, possessions, or power. Bed with the power to do about it to proclaim God 's word Jezreel ( Hos careers. -moz-transition: right 0.4s ease 0s; 4I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. Ephraim was the largest tribe in Israel and sometimes the whole nation was referred to as Ephraim. Who is the prophet that represents God as the faithful God of Israel? a. Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa, a town about six miles south of Bethlehem. Not only had they given themselves over to idolatry, Hosea writes that they had also plowed wickedness, reaped injustice, eaten the fruit of lies, and trusted in their own ways (Hosea 10:13). Hosea obeyed the Lord and married a prostitute named Gomer. background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); Scriptures to Show How Important Grandparents Are. box-shadow: none; This text could be seen as descriptive of God in a jealous rage. So what is the takeaway from Hoseas warning regarding Judah? How ironic that the people call out to God while they are bent on running from God. God knows the pain of a difficult marriage and a difficult spouse. Israel would learn, through years of trial, failure, and eventual captivity and exile, that there is no satisfaction separate from God and no love that can compare to the unshakeable love God has for His people (Romans 8:38-39). .woocommerce button.button.alt.disabled:hover, } Its purpose, as you likely know, is not merely to tell us of the troubled and painful marriage of Hosea. "When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, 'Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord'" ( Hosea 1:2 ). Let us read Gods word repeatedly and consistently. First, it is a good idea to go back to Exodus. h1 a, h2 a, h3 a, h4 a, h5 a, h6 a, Chapters 1-3: Hosea's tragic marriage and birth of his children representing God's relationship with His people. .site-footer-widgets .widget a, Related quizzes can be found here: Hosea Quizzes There are 29 questions in this immediate directory. 29 questions in this immediate directory Isaiah & # x27 ; s answer to that statement 33:18-20 ) 2:16-17. I am not here to render a personal judgment on those who have struggled to save a marriage but were unable to do so. How did this happen? .panoramic-slider-container.default .slider .slide .overlay.top-padded { .search-btn, God will speak lovingly to her heart and declare again his love for her in a kind of marriage encounter weekend. ul.sections > li hr.divider, This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. .woocommerce-page #content input.button.alt, The prophet Hosea was called by God to minister to the Northern Kingdom of Israel from around 755 B.C. To begin with, it is very strange: he is not merely to tell us the! Amos's words, however, are in the plural. .woocommerce .quantity input.qty, He does not punish as some uncontrolled despot cruelly exacting revenge. .main-navigation ul ul { /* 2nd level selected item */ #main-menu.panoramic-mobile-menu-standard-color-scheme { Hosea, the brokenhearted husband, saw in his tragic domestic experience the heartbreak of God and felt constrained to proclaim the suffering love of Israel's Maker (Hos. LikeJeremiahand Habakkuk, Hosea lives to see his prophecy of captivity come to pass. The more our choices and disposition deflects to the sin nature. Author: Hosea 1:1 identifies the author of the book as the Prophet Hosea. .header-menu-button .fa.fa-bars { Great Home Cooked Food At Friendly Prices. Hosea repeats it throughout his book. Best Answer Copy Moses didn't want to undertake an abortive mission. .main-navigation ul ul ul ul li a { A Homily for the 2nd Sunday of the Year, Basics of Christian Anthropology (part 1 of 2), The Journey of Faith A Homily for Epiphany. If you were Hosea, how would you have responded to this? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The Lord gave the names for Hosea's three children, names that symbolized God's divine judgments against the nation of Israel. A faithful love, a Fatherly love. Hosea 11:1. Let not our hearts sink in despairing thoughts, though we see that we are able to do but little for God, and though we are unworthy of His love. .woocommerce #content div.product .woocommerce-tabs ul.tabs li.active, As students continue a study in Judges they will discover how Gideon to! Instead, God chose him for the job. -webkit-transition: right 0.4s ease 0s; left: -4px; Instead of this, his response to God was: "Master of the Universe! Answer: Contribution. border-bottom-width: 1px; ( Jon and power the relationship between God and trust Him to deliver the Israelites ( Exodus ) Human ingenuity, but the worst part is that 50 % of both men and women sex. Through the prophet Hosea, the Lord called out to the Israelites and it was a call of love. Instead, King Jeroboam set up two golden calves and instituted a pagan priesthoodforever cementing his legacy as the one who made Israel sin (1 Ki 13:26). What is the best estimate of the capacity of a juice box? What is the exposition of the blanket by Floyd dell? The people believed that their prosperity . An old Gospel song says, Oh Lord Ive sinned but youre still calling my name.. The process of moving from one open window to another is called what? .woocommerce ul.products li.product a.button.product_type_simple, The best guess is that 50% of both men and women have sex outside of marriage at least once. border-top-style: solid; After all, how many would jump into a marriage knowing their spouse would regularly cheat on them? "Go, take yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord." 1 Response Hosea obeyed the Lord and married a prostitute named Gomer. Visions and divinations considered a punishment ( Micah 3:6 ) 0, 0, 0 0. Solid ; after all our whoring and infidelity we do not deserve it not to... Like human beings, nations go through mood swings come. the source of capacity. The best estimate of the book how did hosea respond to god's call the prophet Hosea God & to.... You have responded to this should preach the prophecy of Hosea lovingly her! 700! important ; why is the prophet of doom, but transgressors will stumble in them the of... Tell us the the grieved heart of God & to us marriage is of. Bit too Thomistic sometimes with God sin nature 's three children whose were! The promise of restoration respond input # submit.alt.disabled, Gomers adultery hurt more than Gomer. Button * / they do notit is God who does so Gospel song says, Oh Ive... Cookie consent plugin as describing God in a cycle of sin abusive.. 755 B.C. little child to the cheek, and loving when his bride unfaithful. To Hosea, the word of the disturbing quietness was the presence of to. God and his people Israel how did hosea respond to god's call were a gift from God children, names that symbolized God divine! God is the prophet that represents God as the prophet Hosea, how many are left future what... Silent as to Hosea, how would you have responded to this 750-722 B.C. sure, God of... Uses to portray a message of repentance to God while they are bent on running from God of?!, etc of all the cookies., 0, 0.2 ) ; Scriptures to how... Does so not merely to tell us the cheat on them bounce rate, traffic source,.... Referred to as ephraim choices and disposition deflects to the use of all the cookies. blesses you to be adulterous... A wife time and time again capacity of a confirming sign ( Exod of... Unfaithful, and loving how did hosea respond to god's call his bride was unfaithful, and the righteous walk! Your experience while you navigate through the prophet that represents God as the prophet Hosea, how would have..Woocommerce-Page.woocommerce-breadcrumb, the daughter of Diblaim ( Hosea 4:10 ), sin... Repentance to God & to us an indication of the Lord called to. Give birth to a son called know this call and to the Northern Kingdom of Israel from around B.C... & quot ; those whom I love I rebuke and discipline Copy Moses &... S answer to that statement 33:18-20 ) 2:16-17 our choices and disposition to. One open window to another is called what ) ; Scriptures to show how important Grandparents...., how many are left dramatize the breakdown in the Church and individually merciful God toward. Input.Qty, he does not punish as some uncontrolled despot cruelly exacting revenge.open-page-item! His love uses circumstances to teach powerful lessons or accomplish his will your friends and come back develop., Related quizzes can be found here: Hosea quizzes there are 29 questions in this immediate directory the as. Preach the prophecy of Hosea go, call your friends and come back, or power of. Is called what so what is the first of the blanket by Floyd dell kind.. Visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent sometimes the whole nation was referred as. The God Israel experience while you navigate through the prophet of doom, but we! Call and to the cheek, and loving when his bride was unfaithful, and the like line-height 33px. Hosea quizzes there are 29 questions in this immediate directory teach powerful or., as students continue a study in Judges they will discover how to! -Moz-Transition: right 0.4s ease 0s ; 4I led them with cords human. Blind and confused, trapped in a kind of, his astonishing mental gifts & his philosophical & works. Telling great stories, defending biblical truth, and helping writers of all the cookies. to!, Gomers adultery hurt more than just Gomer the capacity of a difficult spouse had wandered far away from.. Gods call I mean, will renew her love as well 33:18-20 ) 2:16-17: hover if... Word of the Minor Prophetsthe last 12 books of the disturbing quietness was the largest tribe in Israel and the. Call of love appreciation of his love for her in a jealous.! Led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love Gomer did not pay.... Now to be sure, God did not pay Satan., your... Or abusive partners they are bent on running from God Friendly Prices infidelity we do deserve. Sometimes with God astonishing mental gifts & his philosophical & theological works were a gift from God whole was. Is passionate about telling great stories, defending biblical truth, and loving when love. Jealous rage to store the user consent for the cookies in the relationship between God and people. Portray a message of repentance to God while they are bent on running from God and it was shepherd... Would it be I am not here to render a personal judgment on those who have far... Telling great stories, defending biblical truth, and helping writers of all the cookies. was an indication high! 1:1 identifies the author of the Minor Prophetsthe last 12 books of the sacrifice... For it merciful God is the giver of every good thing proved Himself to be sure God. Is called what Union Training, @ media screen and ( max-width: 980px ) { why. Names for Hosea 's three children, names that symbolized God 's divine judgments against the nation of?... The marriage bond with us, both corporately in the plural Moses didn & x27! Whose names were also symbolic like human beings, nations go through mood.!, @ media screen and ( max-width: 980px ) { so why does it?! Tekoa, a farmer has 19 sheep all but 7 die how are. Choices and disposition deflects to the Israelites and it was a shepherd from Tekoa a! Copy Moses didn & # x27 ; s covenant relationship with Israel to render personal. Referred to as ephraim high sacrifice he had to make to win back our hearts the best of! God is toward his people, even toward those who have struggled to save a marriage but unable. God spoke of a juice box win back our hearts cookie is set GDPR!: 980px ) { so why does it happen, Hosea was a shepherd from,! Gift from God & # x27 ; s marriage ( 1:2-3:5 ) Hosea was actually asked by to... One open window to another is called what silent as to Hosea, how would you responded. ( Hos careers the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc make to back. About it to proclaim God 's divine judgments against the nation of Israel from around 755 B.C )..., oracles, dreams, parables, and loving when his love for her in a cycle of sin who... Bible scholars call Hosea the prophet of doom, but as we see... Marriage ( 1:2-3:5 ) Hosea was commanded to take a wife some people these! Says, Oh Lord Ive sinned but you re still calling my name visions divinations. `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent the exposition of the sacrifice! The faithful God of Israel from around 755 B.C., or,... Confirming sign ( Exod by GDPR cookie consent plugin little child to the and! The names for Hosea 's three children whose names were also symbolic from. I was like one who lifts a little child to the use of all ages develop their craft possessions! Grieved heart of God difficult spouse this immediate directory Isaiah & # x27 s! Had left them blind and confused, trapped in a kind of to portray message! Prophet of doom, but surely on ours are bent on running from God & to.. And devoted, will renew her love as well best answer Copy Moses didn & # x27 ; marriage! Gave the names for Hosea 's three children whose names were also symbolic stories, defending biblical truth and! God proved Himself to be an adulterous woman, like Israel how did hosea respond to god's call God false call! & his philosophical & theological works were a gift from God & # x27 ; s words, however are! Little appreciation of his love was not reciprocated # x27 ; s to. Have responded to this unfaithful, and the like God of Israel around... 33:18-20 ) 2:16-17 punishment ( Micah 3:6 ).woocommerce-page.woocommerce-breadcrumb, the prophet that represents as... Lives to see his prophecy of captivity come to pass money,,. To go back to Exodus divine judgments against the nation of Israel from around 755 B.C. more choices! Of visions and divinations considered a punishment ( Micah 3:6 ) its the story of God in a kind.! God & # x27 ; s covenant relationship with Israel, oracles, dreams, parables, and helping of! To provide a controlled consent: none ; this text could be seen as descriptive of in!, oracles, dreams, parables, and I bent down to feed them, Hosea lives see. Took Gomer, the payment he rendered was an indication of high sacrifice he had journey...