Once upon a time (aprox. 760 B.C.), in a land far far away (Israel, to be exact), there lived a prophet names Hosea. God looked upon the land of Israel as if Israel was his wife, and God was the husband. Israel, at the time, was worshipping other gods and loving other things that society was offering, and not her husband. The Lord decided it was time for some reinformcents, so he called upon his good friend, Hosea, to do him a favor. God said, "Hosea, buddy, listen." (These are God' exact words, by the way.) "Hosea, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to marry this girl. But here's the catch. She's a prositute. Can you do that for me?" Naturally, Hosea was shocked. He couldn't understand why God would ask him such a thing. But, because he loved God and would obey him no mater what, he found this woman, her name is Gomer, and married her. They had a good life together. They had 3 kids, a nice 3 bed, 3 bath apartment, a couple of pets, life was good for them.

Have Your Voice Heard: Become an Odyssey Creator

One morning, Hosea woke up and Gomer wasn't anywhere to be seen. He figured, "Maybe she's out getting groceries." However, hours pass and she hasn't come up. After awhile, God told Hosea to search for his wife. I'm sure Hosea was hesitent, seeing as all this time, she hd been continuing her affairs with other men while married to Hosea. Regardless of her persistent sinning, Hosea searched for his wife. He looked in the places they had gone together on date nighs and outings with friends, you know, the usual places. He also started to search in places that they normally wouldn't be, the places a prophet, a man of God, should never be. He checked bars and clubs and places he knew his wife had once been in, but no one had seen her. He was on his way home, and that's when he noteiced her. She was standing alone, scared, dirty, naked, and ashamed, back in the sex slave industry agian. Again.

Hosea ran to her and begged to take her. "This is my wife!" He shouted. "I don't care who she is. She's for sale." The seller exclaimed. Hosea bowed his head down and sighed. "All right. How much is she?" Hosea walked away with a dent in his wallet, but his wife back in his arms again. He paid for what was already his. Just as God send his son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins -- to pay for what was already his.

This story is the most beautiful example of God' love for us. My favorite quote from Judah Smith about this story is, "The Bible says Hosea is a picture of God and, no offense, you and I are a picture of Gomer." We are a picture of the sinner that continues to sin, even though we are in the arms of a wonderful and loving father. Just as Gomer was in the arms of a wonderful and loving husband, she chose to sin over and over agian. Let this story sink into your heart. Let the words flow and the meaning of this story seep in. God's love for us was so great, he sent his son to buy us out of our sin. And her would do it over and over again if he had to, just for us and our love. God loves you so much. Don't forget to love him back.