HOSEA: A LOVE STORY
The man coming into town was certainly not afraid of crowds but the one he encountered now he simply preferred to steer clear of. He was well known and widely respected yet he walked today with a hint of dejection. Heading in a direction which would take him around this particular event it seemed his shoulders always felt heavier when he witnessed another one of his people selling themselves for whatever unfortunate reason.
However just as he was about to turn completely away from the heart wrenching scene, something, someone caught his eye. A bit of familiarity! What was it? He must, as much as he loathed the idea, step closer to see what it was that had arrested his attention.
He could hear the chant of the auctioneer and the coarse phrases he used as he described explicitly the benefit of purchasing this particular individual. His description of the men was no less crass than that of the women.
Where was that face Hosea had caught a glimpse of from across the square? The keepers herded the unfortunate people worse than cattle, often times snapping a whip to make a point though one was seldom used for it was sure to drastically reduce the price but it did serve its purpose of setting the slaves into motion. Somehow she had disappeared into the midst of the mayhem. He drew closer even though the sights and sounds, not to mention the scent of this place nauseated him. He was certain she would reappear sooner or later.
He did not have to wait long. She must have been taken to an area in the back so she could be moved onto the auction block quickly for it was only a short time before she was shoved roughly out for all to see.
Those who stood close to Hosea looked to him for just a moment as they heard the distinct sound of a gasp for air, an intake of breath which let them know he had surely been startled by what he saw. Their eyes quickly returned to the block though for they definitely did not want to miss this spectacle.
Before them stood a woman, if one could call her that. She more closely resembled some animal. One noticed her hair first, It was certainly unkempt, the length and thickness of it only helping to make her look worse for it hung about her head and face matted in places and sticking up in others revealing the fact that it had not been washed or combed for quite some time.
One could not see her face for she kept her head down as if terribly shamed. When the auctioneer, determined to get the best he could from this sorry specimen, took her chin in hand and forced the head up it was as though he wished he hadn’t. One noticed her eyes first; they were dark and sullen and seemed to speak loudly of perhaps the life she had lived.
There were smudges on her face and Hosea wondered that the caretakers were not more meticulous in making sure at least that her face was clean. His heart lurched within him and his stomach became even sicker, as he realized this was not dirt or dust, but rather bruises, most likely put there by some abusive patron.
She was robed in a simple straight garment and it was apparent that she was way too thin. As she groped to keep the scant cloth about her one could see upon her hands nails that were partly long, partly broken. Those that were long were filled with filth and more resembled claws or talons like one would see on a bird of prey.
Hosea was forced to watch and listen as the auctioneer tried to convince the crowd that this would be a worthwhile purchase. The degrading remarks about her bodily potential cut him to the quick and when the man yanked up her arms causing the cloth to fall away from her body, exposing her for all to see, Hoseas’ heart could take no more and he was forced to turn his eyes aside.
What was it that caused this man, a prophet of God to remain at this particular auction block even though he detested these events? His mind began to race back in time and he saw a beautiful young woman; her hair partially done up around her head with barrettes and babies breath while portions of it fell softly about her shoulders revealing the length and texture. Her face shone with exuberance and vitality giving her the look of one who had just adorned fresh makeup, yet her color was genuine. She was clothed in a beautiful gown, and one could see she was a woman to be desired right down to her dainty little feet which bore a beautiful pair of sandals.
She was about to become his! Her name was Gomer. God had sent Hosea to find her. He was ridiculed and scorned by his peers and colleagues, for what man of God would go down to the house of a harlot and choose a prostitute to be his wife? But God had given him explicit instructions. This was to be a lesson for his people and Hosea was an obedient servant.
She was only seventeen yet she was not innocent. Having been raised in this atmosphere she had learned well from example and had already began her trade. It had never occurred to her that she could be brought out of this lifestyle and taken into another. Yet here was this man, respected by all and he wanted her to be his bride! What an unexpected break for her!!!
They were wed and she had been content for a season. She had born him a child and Hosea had called his name Jezreel for already he could see that his marriage was becoming scattered. She bore another child but this one was not recorded as his nor was the third and before long she was gone. The life of a prophet’s wife had been too dull and meaningless for her so she had returned to her old habitat and habits. At one point she had realized the life of a prostitute held nothing but hurt and degradation and had found her way back to Hosea but again she did not stay for long.
Something about the old lifestyle and, the old habits kept drawing her back. It was as though she had a monkey on her back and she could not shake it off. Even though she had watched this lifestyle ruin her mother and others like her she continued on in this path of destruction.
Now here she stood on the auction block prepared to sell herself to the highest bidder for she had gone so low that she could no longer sustain herself by selling her body.
Hosea knew he must look up, once again, for he could hear the auctioneer begin his chant. As he did so his eyes met hers and she recognized once more the love that this man had poured out upon her and continued to give to her even in her time of folly. She wanted to look away in shame but could not as she wondered how he could keep giving when she had given him so little in return?!
Hosea had very little with which to make this purchase yet he was willing to give his all even though it was apparent these buyers were not particularly interested in this outcast. They felt she had been used up and would be of little good to them but Hosea knew that under the dirt and grim there was still a lovely lady with much potential. He put in his bid of fifteen pieces of silver and one and one-half homers of barley. The seller obviously felt he would surely get no better offer and so roughly shoved Gomer into Hoseas’ outstretched arms. She was now his again! He had taken her to himself in love at first and now redeemed her from this lowest state. Wrapping his warm cloak about her and taking her arm in his he walked away holding his head high paying no heed to those scoffers around him who felt surely he had paid much too high a price for this outcast.
Even as Hoseas’ cloak covered Gomer’s cold and emaciated body so does God’s love cover us and his blood washes away all traces of sin when the world may consider us useless.
You may be wondering “Where am I? and “How did I get here?” But the question you really should be asking is “Is there a way out?”
THE ANSWER IS
YES! YES! YES!
Taken From the book of Hosea &
Isa 52:3 For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
Tags: God, Gomer, Hosea, love, obedient
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
