Paint Party Friday: Return to Love

The story of the prophet Hosea is amazing.

The Talmud, the central text of 

Rabbinic Judaism, of which the Torah is part,

calls Hosea the greatest prophet

of his generation.

And he is the only Jewish prophet

who left any written prophecy.

What is amazing is God told him,

this shy bachelor, to marry

this beautiful woman Gomer.

But God also told him that she would be unfaithful.

In spite of that, Hosea, like any obedient prophet,

went and wooed Gomer,

loved her, and had three children with her.

It went downhill after that

because she left him for a succession of men.

He had to rescue her from slavery

and bought her at an auction for

fifteen pcs. of silver and a bushel of barley!

This story of a love so great and forgiving

foreshadows the story of God's love for us.

God is always asking us to return to Him.

In spite of our sins and unfaithfulness,

God says to us, "Return to me,

your sins have been your downfall.

But only return and ask me to forgive your sins,

and I will heal your waywardness

and love you freely.

I will turn away my wrath

and be like dew to you.

You will blossom and bear fruit."

Hosea 14:2-10

" That is the story of the Bible isn't it? 

At Bethlehem God entered the slave market 

where the whole human race 

was putting itself up for auction, 

prostituting itself and its humanity 

to a cheapened life. 

But on the cross the Lord Jesus paid the price, 

the full price for our freedom, 

and bought us back. 

This is the story of God's love and God's heart -- 

his loving desire to make of his people 

the full persons he intended them to be."

Ray Stedman

 "I took you in my arms;

I drew you with cords of kindness,

love and compassion...

my heart is overwhelmed..."

Hosea 11:3,8

This is God saying He loves us,

He loves us, He loves us!!!

It's a crazy love, an unimaginable love!

Imagine a billionaire saying he would exchange

his magnificent mansion for your hovel,

his unlimited bank account for your

meager savings. The Great Exchange!

And it has already been offered to us!

Jesus says to us, "I'll take your poverty 

and give you my riches. 

I'll take your sin and trade it 

for my righteousness.

I came into your decaying world 

to give you eternity!"

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Patsy