1. The Passion Of Hosea

The Old Testament prophets did not merely know what the LORD thought about an issue.  They also knew what He felt.  Thus, Hosea did not merely know what the LORD thought about His people's adulterous idolatry, Hosea knew what the LORD felt about this.  The Passion Of Hosea in my anecdotal account.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:01

This is uh season um seven of my podcast. It's gonna be a fairly short season, only a few episodes. Um I'm gonna begin with a uh I guess you could call it an anecdotal short story titled The Passion of Hosea. You know, I got to thinking about um I was reading through Hosea one day, I got to thinking about his his situation, and I don't know, I just uh you know, for me the Bible is very real and the people are very real. They're real human beings like you and I. And so, you know, he he tells us basically the Lord told me to marry a prostitute. I did. We had three children, I named them terrible names. She cheated on me, I restored her, thus saith the Lord. And it's like, come on, it's gotta be more detailed than that. I mean, that's that's just a very unsatisfying summary to me. So one day as I was thinking about this, I um I decided to kind of write my own anecdotal uh background, if you will, to what took place with Hosea. It is based on scripture, but you know, a little bit of uh imagination uh is added. So the preface to this is um this is what I wrote. The Old Testament prophets did not merely know that Yahweh or know what Yahweh thought about an issue, they also knew how he felt. This is called prophetic pathos. Hosea is probably the quiz quintessential example of how Yahweh shares his heart with a prophetic person. I'll just pause here for a second. Um, like Isaiah. I I had forgotten how many times he in his writing, in his sixty-six chapters, does he refer to the holy one of Israel? I mean, he he just hammers the Lord's holiness. Why? Because of what happened to him in chapter six, standing before the throne. See, the Lord does that to prophetic people so that they don't just know the information, again, they don't just know the Lord's thoughts about something, but they know his heart, his passion, how he feels about it. And so Hosea didn't merely understand what Yahweh thought about his people's idolatrous adultery. Instead, Hosea knew in a very personal way, very personal way, how Yahweh felt about his bride being unfaithful to him. So the passion of Hosea. Early one morning, Hosea, a young man in his late twenties, makes his way through a labyrinth of narrow streets. He walks like someone with a pressing purpose, pushing himself through the crowds of people, for he needs to have a serious talk with his rabbi, who lives in the northern section of the city of Samaria. When Hosea arrives at his rabbi's house, he gently knocks on the door and waits impatiently. When the rabbi opens his door and sees Hosea standing there, he smiles broadly. Hey Hosea, what's up? Hosea, not wanting to interrupt his rabbi his rabbi's busy schedule, asks if he has some time to talk with him. The rabbi has time, so he happily says, Sure, come on in, pull up some floor. What's on your mind this sunny morning? After finding a spot to sit, Hosea hangs his head and rubs his hands together. He's hesitant. He seems to be trying to figure out how to say what he needs to say. All of these are signals that there's something grave, grim even, that troubles him terribly. After several uncomfortable minutes, Hosea finally speaks. Rabbi, Yahweh spoke to me yesterday. Really? What'd he say? Rabbi, you know me, right? I mean, you know I'm not someone who goes around flippantly saying, thus Yahweh says this and thus Yahweh says that. You know that even when Yahweh might speak to me, I'm always so doubtful that it is in fact him speaking. I try very hard to make sure it is him speaking to me. What it seems to me, what it seems he said to me yesterday, befuddles me and baffles me and scares me. That's why I'm here. I need to talk about this with you. Yes, Hosea, I know you're not a false prophet, cooking up your own ideas and claiming they're Yahweh's. So what is it? What did Yahweh say to you? Hosea rubs his hands together again. When he finally makes eye contact, he blurts out, Yahweh told me to marry a whore. The rabbi is struck by this, as if someone sucker punched him in his gut. For what Hosea just said is beyond repulsive. But he gathers himself and trying to be the mature professional leader he's supposed to be, he speaks in as gentle and as controlled of a voice as possible. Hosea, Hosea, Hosea, you know what the scripture teaches. We're not to marry whores, we're to stone them, purging the evil from our midst. Seeing that Hosea is listening, the rabbi presses a little more. Hosea, I know you to be a sincere, godly young man, and I know you have no notion to do something stupid, much less sinful. So there is no way Yahweh told you to do this. It just doesn't fit with his word. Hosea nods in agreement. But Rabbi, I'm not making this up. I'm telling you, I'm pretty sure Yahweh told me to marry a whore. The thing is, I have no idea why he would tell me to do such a thing, for I do know what the scripture says about this. Hosea, you know I respect you, but I'm telling you, this is just not something Yahweh would tell anyone to do. It's clearly immoral and most especially unbiblical. I agree, Rabbi, but may I give you an example of an extreme violation of scripture that Yahweh actually liked? Uh okay, sure. How about when David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem? And instead of taking it to Gibeon, which is just a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, excuse me. Excuse me, and putting it in the Holy of Holies, in the tabernacle of Moses, where Scripture commanded it to be kept. And not only did David not return the ark to its biblically commanded place in the Holy of Holies, but he put the ark in a tent. He'd set up in his backyard, where he threw open the flaps and invited whosoever wished to worship Yahweh in his presence to enter. Only the high priest was allowed to stand before the ark. That only one day a year. Was that not a major and dangerous violation of the clear instructions of the Word of God? Hmm, I forgot it. David did that. But this is different. David was passionately pursuing the living God instead of the lifeless religion of the tabernacle. Psalm 27, 4. His actions, while radical and unbiblical, and even dangerous to his very life, can actually be praised for just how much he wanted to have the actual presence with him. Psalm 132, Acts 13, 22. But marrying a whore? I know, Rabbi, marrying a whore is despicable, abominable, and thus should be unthinkable. There isn't any obvious righteousness to it, such as hungering for the actual presence of Yahweh, but I still say that Yahweh told me to do this. Well, I know I can't stop you, Hosea. You are your own man, and you get to make your own life choices. Yet I still strongly suggest you make the right choice and put this silly idea out of your mind. Here's the bottom line for me, Rabbi. I'm hoping to get married someday and have a family, and I'm all and I know my parents can find me several godly women from which to choose a wife, and that is what I want. As I have no desire to marry a whore. To me, just the idea of talking with a whore is incredibly distasteful, much less marrying one. Now you're making sense, Hosea. But, Rabbi, that this idea is so revolting and repulsive to me is the very thing that gives me some confidence that this is not something I cooked up within myself. This had to have come from Yahweh. Hmm, interesting. I see your point, but I still advise against it. I understand, Rabbi. Thanks for your time. As Hosea rises to leave, the rabbi asks, What are you going to do? Rabbi, as you've said many times, sometimes faith is spelled R-I-S-K. So I'm going to take a risk and do what I believe Yahweh told me to do. I'm going to go to the part of town where the whores generally hang out, try to figure out which one I should pick, introduce myself to her, and see what happens. Well, please know that no matter what happens, I'm still your rabbi and friend. Shalom. Peace to you also, Rabbi. As Hosea's leaving, he stops at the door and turns around. Rabbi, when I find the right whore, will you do the marriage ceremony? The rabbi ponders this for a moment. Uh sure. But what about the eight-week prayer marital counseling course I do with couples? I guess if she's willing to marry me, she'll probably be willing to attend your premarital counseling course. Good. That will at least give me a chance to strongly stress the issue of being faithful to one's husband. Yeah, good idea. I would really appreciate that. Thanks. And Hosea leaves. As Hosea ponders how to go about finding the right whore to marry, he initially considers seeking the help of a true professional, a Jewish matchmaker. So Hosea asks Madame Yenti, how can I help help such a handsome young man as yourself? Well, Madame Yenti, I think that maybe I just might possibly be ready to find a wife. Wonderful, and you've come to the right place, for I have several very good potential candidates. Tell me what you're looking for in a wife. Uh hesitated Hosea. The main quality I'm looking for is well, that she's a whore. Mr. Hosea revolted Madame Yendi. Eugot, are you Mashuguna? Eugavalt means it's Yiddish for an expression of exasperation, and Mashuguna is Yiddish for silliness or crazy. Listen to me, man. Listen, young man, I run an honest matchmaking business. Then, pointing at the door, said, So get out. Hosea politely thanked Madame Yenti for her time and quickly left, feeling quite embarrassed, but still determined. And he wants to be a prophet, mused Madame Yenti after Hosea left. Plan B. That evening, Hosea makes his way to that part of town. He has never done anything like this before. Ever. He wonders what he's supposed to talk about with a whore. Or should he forget to get to know her part and just jump right in and ask her to marry him? He thinks, I can't just say, Hi, my name is Hosea. Will you marry me? What's she going to say? Oh, you poor kid. You've never done this before, have you? Look, we're just gonna have sex. You're not going to get married. In fact, I'm not even gonna be your girlfriend. This is business. We have sex and you pay me for it. Of course, you can get on my elite members plan and become one of my steady customers. But marriage? Oh no, no, no, no. Hosea sighs. Ugh. I really don't want to do this. As Hosea plays these various scenarios and conversations in his head, he slowly makes his way to a place where music is playing, people are having conversations, and of course, flinking cups flowing with plenty of wine. As he stands at the doorway of one of these places, he tries to rally some resolve by reminding himself that he's pretty sure Yahweh told him to marry a whore. Quickly he scans the room, and as he does, he sees a particular woman sitting and talking with some people at a table in the corner. Even in the low light, Hosea can see there is just something about her gentle eyes and simple smile. Trying to appear confident, he walks over to this little group, makes eye contact with this woman, clears his throat, and shyly says, Hello, my name is Ho Ho Hosea. All stop talking, for they all know there's a rookie in the house. But the woman smiles an open, friendly smile with her entire face. Hi, I'm Gomer. What can I do for you? Instantly, Hosea is struck by this woman's eyes, and maybe he remembers what Solomon pinned of the bridegroom's words about his bride's eyes in the Song of Songs. You have ravished my heart, my bride. You've stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes. Turn your eyes from me, they overwhelm me. That's Song of Songs four nine and six five. After this first encounter, Hosea visits with Gomer many times, talking late into the night. And although she initially gives him quite obvious overtures to have sex, using her well practiced approaches of wanton touches, low-cut blouses, penalizing scents, and her best come hither looks, these overt tactics slowly give way until she stops them completely, for she comes to respect Hosea, realizing he has no desire for empty sexual encounters. As Hosea and Gomer's relationship develops, Gomer confides how from a young age she has dreamed that a godly man would come to her, come into her life, wed her, and have a family with her. And she really means this. It isn't silly chatter, for she truly wants a loving husband, several children, and the sense of home and family. With conversations like these, it isn't long before Hosea begins falling genuinely in love with Gomer, profoundly in love. Hosea opens his heart wide and deep and high and loves Gomer with everything he has in him with which to love a woman. When he asks her to marry him, she, in disbelief at her good fortune, throws her arms around his neck, tears of joy filling her eyes. She says, Oh my God, yes, yes, yes. Then for the first time, they kiss. It's not some quick peck on the lips, but a longing kiss, a kiss of love. And when they kiss, maybe another passage from Solomon's song comes into Hosea's mind, in which Solomon expresses the bride's passion for her bridegroom. Kiss me, full on the mouth, yes, for your love is better than wine. That's Song of Songs, chapter one, verse two. When Gomer agrees to marry him, Hosea assumes that all Yahweh must have wanted was for Hosea to experience seeing him restore a sinner. Maybe this whole marry a whore thing was just about a sinful woman penantly returning to Yahweh. In his infectious enthusiasm, Hosea goes to see his rabbi to tell him the really, really, really good news of the miracle of all miracles done by Yahweh to give him the love of his life, who is ready to be wed. Smiling more wily than his widely than his face can hold, Hosea says, So, Rabbi, Gomer has agreed to marry me. I'm giddy and giggly. I can't help it. I'm happy, happy, happy. Pinch me, I must be dreaming. This is just too remarkable. Wow, I can see that. That's great, Hosea. And I'm glad this is working out so well for you both. Gomer seems to have turned out to be a quality young woman. Surely she will make you a loving and faithful wife. Rabbi, Gomer is beyond my ability to put into words. I don't know what it is, but I'm so in love with her. And it's not about physical beauty. It's not even her personality. I'm lost for words here, other than to say, I love her because I chose to love her. Again, wow, what a beautiful thing, Hosea. For you sound exactly like Yahweh and what he said to Israel, Deuteronomy 6, excuse me, Deuteronomy 7, 6 through 9. And so I'm honored to have some small part in the two of you, putting the two of you together in the covenant of marriage. Shortly thereafter, they hold the wedding ceremony. But it's not a small private ceremony with just the couple's families. Instead, many in the city are in attendance, for they all want to celebrate this incredible miracle Yahweh has performed by putting Hosea, a godly young man, and Gomer, a once prodigal young woman, together as husband and wife. There is a lot of dancing and celebrating. Not long after the weeklong wedding celebration, Hosea and Gomer settle into the rhythm of buried life and daily work. One day, not too long after that, Gomer has something she can't wait to tell Hosea, something she can hardly contain. At first, she toys with him, acting quite coy. Finally, smiling with her mouth and her eyes as she usually does, and bubbling with overflowing joy, she announces, My husband, I am pregnant. What? Hosea replies in disbelief, almost as if he doesn't know how such a thing could have happened. As the overwhelming wonderness of what Gomer has just revealed seeps into Hosea, his heart explodes with ecstatic elation. After giving Gomer a great big hug and a long, passionate kiss, he takes off running to his rabbi's house, not stopping even once to catch his breath, for he must tell him this fantastically good news. Reaching the rabbi's house and breathing heavily from his race, Hosea says breathlessly, Rabbi, Rabbi, then pausing to try to catch his breath. Good news. Gomer is pregnant. Really? That's awesome. The rabbi gives Hosea a hearty slap on the back and a quick manly bear hug. After these masculine acts of affection, he breaks out a couple of cigars and fills a couple of cups with wine. Truly, Hosea, Yahweh has blessed you. I'm so glad you didn't listen to me, and that you took the risk of obeying what Yahweh told you to do. Way to go, man. Rabbi, I tell you, every morning I make I wake up with such gratitude that I'm married to such an incredible woman. And now Yahweh adds blessing to blessing by giving us a child. I don't know if I can stand to be this jubilant. Then both men grin toothy grins and share another quick manly bear hug. They both light up their cigars, filling the room with puffy smoke, and just before downing a swig of wine, they lift their glasses high and in unison shout Lachayam, which is again Hebrew for light the word to life. I'll end this episode there.

SPEAKER_01 22:34

To the song of soul.

SPEAKER_02 22:42

Behold, you have come over the hills upon the mountain. You have run my beloved, captured my love.

SPEAKER_01 23:06

Yes, we the song of sound to the song of so with you.

SPEAKER_02 23:52

You are my love, you are my fair one.

SPEAKER_03 24:00

Winter is bright, and the spring time has come to the same.