Deaf Devo - The Deaf Missions in Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States for Sunday, 9 July 2017 "Minor Prophets (2)" Bible Reading: Hosea 3:1-5
Hosea 3:1 Adonai said to me, “Go once more, and show love to [this] wife [of yours] who has been loved by her boyfriend, to this adulteress — just as Adonai loves the people of Isra’el, even though they turn to other gods and love the raisin cakes [offered to them].”
2 So I bought her back for myself with fifteen pieces of silver and eight bushels of barley . 3 Then I told her, “You are to remain in seclusion for a long time and be mine. You are not to be a prostitute, and you are not to be with any other man; and I won’t come in to have sex with you either.” 4 For the people of Isra’el are going to be in seclusion for a long time without a king, prince, sacrifice, standing-stone, ritual vest or household gods. 5 Afterwards, the people of Isra’el will repent and seek Adonai their God and David their king; they will come trembling to Adonai and his goodness in the acharit-hayamim.
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The book of Hosea is a sad book. God told His prophet, Hosea, to marry a prostitute named Gomer. After they were married, Gomer committed adultery with other men. But God told Hosea that he should accept Gomer back as his wife and love her.
Why did God ask Hosea to do this? Verse 1b of our Bible Reading today gives us the answer to that question. God said to Hosea, "Gomer has many lovers, but you must continue loving her. Do this because it is an example of the Lord's love for Israel."
It must have been hard for Hosea to forgive his wife and welcome her back. But God wants us to be like Hosea and show forgiveness to others, even when they sin and hurt us. That's how God is with us. He forgives us of our sins and welcomes us as His children.
Think about God's forgiveness today. And remember to forgive other people.
"Yes, if you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your wrongs. But if you don't forgive others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrongs you do." [Matthew 6:14]
PRAYER: Father, thank You for teaching me about forgiveness. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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