Godchaser Podcast
Join Evan Evans on The God Chaser Podcast, a weekly exploration of faith, spirituality, and personal growth centered on Jesus Christ. Evan, a devoted believer and captivating host guides listeners through engaging conversations and thought-provoking discussions that deepen their understanding of Christ and His teachings.
We delve into topics such as Christ's teachings, the power of prayer, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of community in spiritual growth. The God Chaser Podcast aims to inspire and challenge listeners, equipping them with the tools and insights needed to live a more fulfilling, Christ-centered life.
Whether you're a seasoned believer or just beginning your faith journey, The God Chaser Podcast with Evan Evans supports and nourishes your spiritual growth. Subscribe to Apple Podcasts and join us each week as we chase after the heart of Jesus, embracing the transformative power of His love and grace.
Godchaser Podcast
Betrayed and Beloved: Finding Jesus in Hosea's Broken Marriage
In a world where commitment seems optional and love conditional, Hosea's ancient message speaks with surprising relevance. This remarkable prophet didn't just proclaim God's word—he lived it through perhaps the most painful assignment ever given: marry a woman who would repeatedly betray him.
Through Hosea's heartbreaking marriage to unfaithful Gomer, we witness a stunning portrait of divine love that refuses to give up. Their three children with symbolic names—"God Scatters," "Not Loved," and "Not My People"—represent God's judgment on unfaithful Israel. Yet these harsh names are promised transformation, foreshadowing how Jesus would turn rejection into belonging, scattering into gathering, and alienation into intimate relationship.
The most powerful moment comes when Gomer abandons Hosea for other lovers and falls so low he must purchase her back—for approximately thirty pieces of silver, the same price paid to betray Jesus. This extraordinary act of redemption vividly portrays what Christ would later do, not just loving us from a distance but entering the slave market of sin to buy us back at tremendous cost.
Hosea's prophecy contains astonishing foreshadowings of Jesus: the resurrection promise ("After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us"), the defeat of death ("I will redeem them from death"), and the new covenant ("I will betroth you to me forever"). Even more poignantly, God's heart-wrenching cry, "How can I give you up?" reveals the divine struggle between justice and mercy that finds its ultimate resolution at the cross.
Whether you've experienced betrayal like Hosea or unfaithfulness like Gomer, whether you struggle with false gods or shallow repentance, this episode illuminates how Jesus transforms valleys of trouble into doors of hope. Join us as we discover that in Christ, "Not My People" becomes "Children of God," and those once unloved become forever beloved.
Keep chasing after God
Welcome to the God Chaser podcast, where we pursue the heart of God and explore the depths of His wisdom. I'm your host, evan Evans. Last week, we explored Daniel's remarkable prophecies and his faithful stand in Babylon. Today, we're turning to what might be Scripture's most vulnerable and raw book Hosea. This prophet's message wasn't just delivered through words, but through his very life.
Speaker 1:God asked Hosea to marry a woman who would be unfaithful to him, to feel the sting of betrayal, to experience the heartache of broken vows, all so he could understand God's heart toward unfaithful Israel. In this episode, we'll discover how Hosea's broken marriage reveals Christ's faithful love, why God commands him to buy back his unfaithful wife, what the names of his children teach us about our identity in Christ, how God turns valleys of trouble into doors of hope, why God's love is both passionate and costly. Whether you've experienced betrayal like Hosea, or unfaithfulness like Gomer, whether you feel unworthy of love or unable to forgive, whether you're struggling with false gods or shallow repentance, hosea's message speaks directly to your heart. The God Chaser podcast is committed to helping you see Jesus on every page of Scripture, growing deeper in your faith and understanding God's heart more fully, whether you're new to the Bible or have walked with God for years, you'll discover fresh insights into how all of Scripture points to Christ. This is Evan Evans, and you're listening to Episode 17,.
Speaker 2:Finding Jesus in Hosea's Love Story, when God's Heart Breaks, testimonies and provides practical guidance to help you become a true God Chaser. Discover the transformative power of pursuing God's presence and be inspired to reignite your spiritual journey. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on an adventure that will change your life forever. Welcome to the God Chaser Podcast. Let the chase begin.
Speaker 1:Welcome to the God Chaser Podcast. I'm your host, evan Evans. Last week we explored Daniel's remarkable prophecies and how his life revealed Christ in Babylon. Today we're turning to one of the most heartbreaking yet beautiful books in the Bible Hosea. What sets Hosea apart isn't just what he said, but what he lived. His life became a living parable of God's relationship with his people. Let's start right at the beginning, hosea 1.2-3.
Speaker 1:When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for, like an adulterous wife, stop and think about this. God asks Hosea to marry a woman who would be unfaithful to him. Not just to preach about unfaithfulness, but to experience it personally, to feel the sting of betrayal, the pain of rejection, the heartache of adultery. Why? Because this is exactly what God experienced with Israel. They had committed spiritual adultery by worshiping other gods, breaking covenant with the one who loved them. Let's talk about what this reveals about Jesus. In the New Testament, the church is called the Bride of Christ. Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 25 to 27. Jesus is the faithful husband who loves even when we're unfaithful.
Speaker 1:Hosea's story goes deeper. He and Gomer have three children, each given symbolic names Jezreel, god scatters. Lo-ruhama not loved. Lo-ammi not my people these names represent God's judgment on Israel. But watch what happens in Hosea, chapter 1, verses 10 to 11. God promises that one day, not my people will become children of the living God. Not loved will be loved, the scattered will be gathered. This is exactly what Jesus accomplished. As Peter writes in 1 Peter, chapter 2, verse 10, once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Let's pause here. Some of you feel like lo, amiammi or Lo-Ruhamah right now, rejected by someone who should have loved you, abandoned by those you trusted, not belonging anywhere, wondering if you matter to anyone. Hosea's message points to Jesus, who transforms our identity from not my people to children of God.
Speaker 1:As the story continues, gomer leaves Hosea. She runs after other lovers, just as God said she would. But listen to what happens next in Hosea, chapter 3, verses 1 to 3. The Lord said to me Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods. So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethic of barley. This is staggering.
Speaker 1:Hosea has to buy back his own wife. She's either sold herself into slavery or fallen so low that she's being sold on the auction block, and her price? About 30 pieces of silver in total value the same amount Judas would receive to betray Jesus. Matthew, chapter 26, verse 15. Let's talk about what this reveals about Christ. Jesus didn't just love us from a distance. He came to the slave market of sin to buy us back. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 20, you were bought at a price. What slave market are you in right now? What has captured you? An addiction. You can't break A relationship. You can't escape A mistake. You can't overcome A past you can't outrun. Hosea's story points to Jesus, who pays the price to buy us back, not to condemn us, but to restore us.
Speaker 1:Beyond his personal story, hosea delivers some of scripture's most powerful promises of redemption. Listen to Hosea, chapter 2, verses 19 to 20. I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betrothed appears three times. This isn't just reconciliation, it's a brand new marriage covenant Three times, god says this points directly to Jesus' work. He didn't just patch up the old covenant, he established a new one. As he said at the Last Supper this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Luke, chapter 22, verse 20. Let's talk about how this impacts us. Today.
Speaker 1:Many of us try to reform our behavior without heart transformation, fix our marriage without renewing our covenant, improve our performance without changing our position, modify our actions without addressing our identity. But God says through Hosea I don't want reformation, I want transformation. I don't want modification, I want a brand new covenant transformation. I don't want modification, I want a brand new covenant. This is exactly what Jesus brings Not behavior management, but heart transformation. Not religious activity, but relationship Not trying harder, but being made new.
Speaker 1:Now let's look at Hosea, chapter 6, verses 1 to 3. This passage contains one of scripture's most beautiful invitations Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us. He has injured us, but he will bind up our wounds. After two days, he will revive us. On the third day he will restore us that we may live in His presence. Did you catch that? After two days, he will revive us. On the third day he will restore us. This points directly to Christ's resurrection on the third day. What looked like prophetic poetry about Israel's restoration became literal reality in Jesus' resurrection.
Speaker 1:Some of you feel torn to pieces right now by a relationship that's ended by a dream, that's died, by a loss that's left you reeling by a failure that's crushed your confidence. Hosea points to Jesus who not only died but rose again, who not only feels our pain but heals our wounds. The passage continues let us acknowledge the Lord as certain as sunrise, as life-giving, as rain on parched ground. Jesus said I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. John, chapter 10, verse 10.
Speaker 1:Now let's move to Hosea, chapter 11, one of the most tender passages in all scripture. Here God speaks as a heartbroken parent. When Israel was a child, I loved him and out of Egypt I called my son. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms, but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love To them. I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek and I bent down to feed them. Hosea, chapter 11, verses 1 to 4.
Speaker 1:Matthew quotes the first verse of this passage and applies it directly to Jesus. Out of Egypt, I called my son. Matthew, chapter 2, verse 15. When Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod's slaughter, then later returned to Israel, they were fulfilling this prophecy. This shows us something profound about prophecy it often has.
Speaker 1:Let's talk about this tender picture of God as a parent. He teaches us to walk, heals our wounds, leads with kindness, lifts us to his cheek, bends down to feed us. Jesus displayed this same tender care. He said let the little children come to me. Matthew, chapter 19, verse 14. Come to me all you who are weary. Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28. I am the good shepherd. John, chapter 10, verse 11. Some of you need this image of God right now, not as a distant judge or demanding taskmaster, but as a tender parent who bends down to your level, who lifts you to his cheek, who teaches you to walk again. This is what Jesus showed us about the Father. He said anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John, chapter 14, verse 9.
Speaker 1:Let's look at one of the most stunning reversals in Hosea. After all the warnings of judgment, after all the pain of betrayal, listen to what God says in Hosea, chapter 11, verses 8 to 9. How can I give you up, ephraim? How can I hand you over Israel? My heart is changed within me, all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again, for I am God and not a man, the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities. This is divine heart struggle on display. God is torn between justice and mercy, between judgment and love. This points directly to Jesus in Gethsemane, praying Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me, yet not as I will, but as you will. Matthew, chapter 26, verse 39. On the cross we see this same tension between divine justice and divine love resolved.
Speaker 1:Some of you need to hear this today. You think you've gone too far, sinned too much, failed too often. But Hosea reveals a God who asks how can I give you up? This same God says in Hosea, chapter 13, verse 14, I will deliver this people from the power of the grave. I will redeem them from death. Where O death are your plagues, where O grave is your destruction. Sound familiar? Paul quotes this in 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 55, applying it directly to Christ's victory over death, where O death is your victory. 55, applying it directly to Christ's victory over death when O death is your victory, where O death is your sting. What Hosea promised, jesus fulfilled Not just forgiveness, but resurrection, not just salvation, but victory over death itself.
Speaker 1:Let's move to Hosea, chapter 14, the beautiful conclusion of this love story. After all the heartbreak, all the wandering, all the judgment, god makes this promise I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like a lily, his splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. Hosea, chapter 14, verses 4 to 6. This pictures what Jesus does in us heals our waywardness, loves us freely, refreshes like morning dew, produces new growth and beauty. Jesus said If anyone remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. John, chapter 15, verse 5.
Speaker 1:But there's one last aspect of Hosea we need to explore his emphasis on knowing God. In Hosea, chapter 4, verse 6, god laments my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. And in Hosea, chapter 6, verse 6, he declares For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings. Jesus quoted this verse twice in Matthew's Gospel Matthew 9, 13 and 12, 7. He applied it to the religious leaders who knew rituals but didn't know God's heart. This is still God's desire Not religious performance, but genuine relationship. Not just information about God, but transformation through knowing him. Jesus prayed now this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John, chapter 17, verse 3. Let's pull all this together.
Speaker 1:Through Hosea, we see Jesus as the faithful husband who loves despite unfaithfulness. The redeemer who buys us back from slavery. The covenant maker who establishes a new relationship. The healer who binds up our wounds. The resurrection hope who defeats death. The tender parent who teaches us to walk again. The life-giving dew who brings new growth.
Speaker 1:But maybe the most powerful picture comes in the meaning of Hosea's name itself. Hosea means salvation, the same root from which we get the name Jesus, yeshua. So the prophet's very name points to Christ. His story is our story. His message is our hope. Let's talk about what Hosea's message means for our lives right now.
Speaker 1:His story touches on struggles many of us face every day. First, the struggle with unfaithfulness. Hosea lived with a wife who repeatedly betrayed him. Many of you know what this feels like. Hosea lived with a wife who repeatedly betrayed him. Many of you know what this feels like the pain of a spouse's infidelity, the sting of a friend's betrayal, the wound of a family member's rejection, the hurt of a child's rebellion. Hosea shows us how Jesus responds to our unfaithfulness not with easy forgiveness that ignores the pain, but with costly love that redeems.
Speaker 1:In Hosea, chapter 2, verses 14 to 15, god says I will allure her, lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her there. I will give her back her vineyards and will make the valley of Achor a door of hope. The valley of Achor was where Achan was stoned for his sin in Joshua, chapter 7. It was a place of trouble and judgment, but God promises to turn it into a door of hope. This is what Jesus does with our failures. He doesn't erase them or pretend they didn't happen. He transforms them into doorways of hope, places where his grace becomes most visible. Where is your valley of Achor today? A marriage damaged by betrayal, a mistake that seems unforgivable, a failure that defines you, a sin that haunts you. Jesus offers to transform it into a door of hope, not by ignoring it, but by redeeming it.
Speaker 1:Second, hosea addresses our struggle with false gods. Throughout the book he confronts Israel's idolatry. They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood. Hosea, chapter 4, verse 12. This sounds ancient, but idolatry just means putting something in God's place and we still do this. With career success, romantic relationships, financial security, physical appearance, social approval. These aren't bad things, but they make terrible gods. They promise what they can't deliver. As Hosea puts it, they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. Hosea, chapter 8, verse 7. Jesus addressed this when he said what good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul? Mark, chapter 8, verse 36. What wind are you sowing right now? What false god are you serving? What are you expecting to fulfill you that never can?
Speaker 1:Third, hosea shows us our struggle with shallow repentance. In Hosea, chapter 6, verses 4 to 5, god says your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. I cut you in pieces with my prophets. I killed you with the words of my mouth. Israel's problem wasn't lack of religious activity. It was lack of genuine heart change. Their repentance was shallow, their commitments short-lived. Jesus addressed this in the parable of the sower. Some seed fell on rocky soil sprouted quickly but withered because it had no root. Matthew, chapter 13, verses 5 to 6. Let's talk honestly about this. Many of us have made commitments we didn't keep, promised changes that didn't last, experienced spiritual highs followed by deep lows, said sorry, without really changing.
Speaker 1:Hosea calls us to deeper repentance. Not just feeling bad, but turning around. Not just emotion, but transformation. This is what Jesus offers not just forgiveness, but transformation. As he told the woman caught in adultery neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin. John, chapter 8, verse 11.
Speaker 1:Fourth, hosea reveals our struggle with conditional love. God says in Hosea, chapter 14, verse 4, I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. The phrase love them freely can be translated love them voluntarily or love them spontaneously. It's love without conditions, love that doesn't depend on the worthiness of its object. This is exactly how Jesus loves Not because we deserve it, not because we've earned it, not because we can repay it, but freely, voluntarily and spontaneously.
Speaker 1:Many of us struggle to accept this kind of love because we've experienced conditional love from others. We believe we must perform to be accepted. We carry shame. That makes us feel unworthy. We project our earthly relationships onto God. That makes us feel unworthy. We project our earthly relationships onto God. Hosea's message points to Jesus, who loves us not because of who we are, but because of who he is.
Speaker 1:Finally, hosea addresses our struggle with knowledge versus relationship. God says I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings Hosea 6.6. The word acknowledgement here is the Hebrew word da'ath, which means intimate, experiential knowledge, not just facts about God, but relationship with God. Jesus picked up this theme when he said Many will say to me on that day, lord Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Then I will tell them plainly I never knew you. Matthew, chapter 7, verses 22 to 23. Many of us have information without transformation, doctrine without devotion, theology without intimacy, religion without relationship. Hosea challenges us to move beyond knowing about God to knowing God, just as Jesus invited us to abide in Him. John, chapter 15, verse 4. Let me bring all these themes together.
Speaker 1:Hosea's message speaks to us so powerfully because it addresses the core struggles of our hearts. Our unfaithfulness meets God's faithful love. Our idolatry meets God's jealous pursuit. Our shallow repentance meets God's deep transformation. Our conditional love meets God's free love. Our religious knowledge meets God's desire for relationship. Each of these tensions finds its resolution in Jesus Christ. Think about this Hosea had to live his message.
Speaker 1:He didn't just preach about unfaithfulness, he experienced it. He didn't just talk about redemption, he paid the price. He didn't just describe reconciliation, he offered it. This points directly to Jesus, who didn't just deliver a message from heaven, he became the message. As John tells us, the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. John, chapter 1, verse 14. Jesus didn't just tell us about God's love, he demonstrated it. He didn't just describe sacrifice, he became the sacrifice. He didn't just preach reconciliation, he made it possible. This is what makes the gospel different from every other religious message Not a prophet pointing the way, but God himself becoming the way.
Speaker 1:Hosea could sympathize with Israel because he felt what God felt. Jesus can sympathize with us because he became one of us, as Hebrews, chapter 4, verse 15, tells us. He was tempted in every way, just as we are. Yet he did not sin. But Hosea's story doesn't just reveal Jesus, it reveals us. We are Gomer, we are the unfaithful ones. We are those who've run after other lovers. We are those who need to be bought back. This is hard to accept, especially if you've been hurt by others. If you identify with Hosea, it's hard to see yourself as Gomer, but the beauty of this story is that it places us all in the same position in need of grace. The ground at the foot of the cross is level. We all come the same way through Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us.
Speaker 1:Some of you need to receive this love today. You've been running from God, hiding behind performance, covering shame with achievement, trying to earn what can only be received as gift. Hosea's message is that God's love pursues you, not because you're worthy, but because he's faithful. Not because of your performance, but because of his promise. Not because of who you are, but because of who he is. Others of you need to extend this love. You've been holding on to hurt, nursing bitterness, withholding forgiveness, protecting yourself from pain. Hosea shows us that true love costs. It feels the pain, it takes the risk, it pays the price. This is what Jesus did for us. This is what he calls us to do for others.
Speaker 1:Next week, we'll explore the prophet Joel and see how his message of restoration points to Christ. But today, remember what Hosea teaches us about Jesus. He is the faithful husband who loves despite our unfaithfulness. He is the redeemer who pays the price to buy us back. He is the healer who turns our valleys of trouble into doors of hope. He is the parent who teaches us to walk and lifts us to his cheek. He is the resurrection who swallows up death in victory. He is the transforming dew who brings new life and growth. He is the transforming dew who brings new life and growth.
Speaker 1:This is Evan Evans, reminding you to keep chasing God's heart Until next time. Remember your name. May have been not loved or not my people, but in Christ you are deeply loved and forever His. This has been the God Chaser podcast. Join us next week as we continue finding Jesus in every story of the Bible. This has been the God Chaser Podcast. Join us next week as we continue finding Jesus in every story of the Bible. This episode of the God Chaser podcast is proudly sponsored by God Chaser Apparel, the clothing line designed to empower and inspire your spiritual journey.
Speaker 2:Are you a God Chaser at heart? Do you want to share your passion for pursuing God with the world? God Chaser Apparel has got you covered, literally With a wide range of stylish, high-quality clothing and accessories. You can wear your faith proudly and spark conversations about your pursuit of God's presence. From bold statement tees to cozy hoodies, sleek hats and much more, god Chaser apparel has something for everyone. Plus, every purchase supports our mission to inspire and encourage fellow believers on their journey toward a deeper relationship with Christ. Visit GodChaser Faith today to explore our collection and find the perfect piece to express your passion for God. Godchaser Apparel, where faith meets fashion and the pursuit of God's presence becomes a lifestyle. Don't miss out. Head to GodChaser Faith now and start wearing your faith boldly.
Speaker 1:May you not just chase God but find him in the blessings, big and small, that he has in store for you. And there we have it, folks. Another episode of God Chaser wrapped up. We hope you've been blessed by today's discussion and we look forward to diving into more life-transforming topics with you in the future. Stay blessed and keep chasing after God.