"O love of God, how rich and pure. How measureless and strong. It shall forevermore endure – the saints' and angels' song!" That old hymn could well have served as the soundtrack to Hosea's life. God's prophet to ancient Israel lived out the painful message he was sent to preach to the LORD's people. "… the LORD said to Hosea: "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry, for the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the LORD" (Hosea 1:2 – NKJV). Say what? Why would God ask His faithful prophet to marry an unfaithful pagan woman? What would be gained by marrying piety to promiscuity? God wanted His prophet to understand the scandalously loyal love He has for His chosen people, despite their immorality and idolatry. Though divine discipline would surely come to His enduring. That same relentless love envelopes God's children today – despite our unworthiness! The old hymn, based on a much older Jewish poem, sings this so well: "The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell, it goes beyond the highest.
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Steve Massey is the pastor of Hayden Bible Church of Hayden, Idaho. He also writes about matters of faith for The Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Wash., where he previously worked as an editor and reporter. He and his wife, Pam, have two grown children, Jake and Sarah.
