Thy Strong Word — Hosea 1: Spiritual Adultery and Godly Faithfulness

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The Rev. Timothy Sandeno, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Gorham, ME, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Hosea 1.

Hosea was a prophet in Israel during times of great prosperity in the time of the Divided Kingdom. He was called to prophesy against the unfaithfulness of God’s people. So that he could empathize with the severity of this sin, YHWH called him to first experience this infidelity first-hand by taking on an adulterous wife. Even his children would bear names that pointed to God’s judgement.

The book of Hosea is a love story with a twist. It tells how God commanded Hosea, a prophet, to marry Gomer, a wife who would be unfaithful to him. God wanted Hosea to feel firsthand the pain of betrayal as he sent him out to prophesy to the people of Israel how they had been unfaithful to God. Hosea still loved Gomer and pursued her and restored her as his wife. This was a picture of how God pursued Israel despite their sin and rebellion and offered them grace and mercy if they would return to Him.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.