Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel,
for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land.
There is no faithfulness or steadfast love,
and no knowledge of God in the land;
2 there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery;
they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
“I have a bone to pick with you!” Depending on the strength and power of the speaker, the reaction of the target can range from mere annoyance to outright terror. Laying aside the fact that the phrase is a strange one, the ramifications are rarely pleasant. Now imagine the prophet Hosea informing the people of Israel that the Creator has a bone to pick with them for their unfaithfulness in the covenant with God. They had just heard the story of Hosea’s adulterous wife and now realize that the Lord sees them as adulterous and faithless. Their lone reaction must be, “Oh no!!” But that is not the entire story. Thankfully.
Hosea’s wife, Gomer, had fallen into ruin. In one of the most beautiful acts of redemption in the Bible, Hosea bought her for 15 shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. We have been adulterous and verse 2 describes 2021 perfectly. Praise the Lord! The most beautiful story of redemption in all of history took place when Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, bought us with the price of his life and blood. Now God no longer has a controversy with the inhabitants of his kingdom. He has a relationship with them! Though we have broken all bounds with him, he has restored the bonds of covenant and is our precious Bridegroom. Remember this next time you think you have finally blown it for good…
Hear the word of the Lord!
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church